The Must-Have Book for Yacht Electrics

[felixqld66]

So as a first time real yacht owner what do people consider the definitive book on maintaining a yachts electrical systems and what is the most user friendly as the two may be exclusive of each other

[colemj]

I find Charlie Wing's Boatowner's Illustrated Electrical Handbook to be both the best and most user friendly. Calder's book is also useful.

Mark

[RainDog]

Almost every boat I have been on has a copy of this book:

Amazon.com: Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual: How to Maintain, Repair, and Improve Your Boat's Essential Systems (9780071432382): Nigel Calder: Books

I have not seen any book, on any topic, on as many boats as ths one.

[Kefaa]

+1 for RainDog reference.

[ShipShape]

Depends on your knowledge of electrics and what you want to do. If you don't know a whole lot and just want to understand things enough to fix simple stuff and know when it is time to call an electrician, get Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics Simplified". That will get you off to a great start, and Nigel Calder's book mentioned above will keep you going.

Beyond that, Charlie Wing's book mentioned by colemj is fantastic. Some people are critical of him because he doesn't conform to ABYC standards, making John C. Payne's "Marine Electrical & Electronics Bible" an excellent choice.

If you really think the electric system in your boat just needs to be "maintained" (is there such a boat? ) then I would go with Don Casey's and Nigel Calder's books. The other two are more for rewiring and if you wanted to add something somewhat complicated, like an isolation transformer.

[barnakiel]

The check book perhaps.

b.

[DRS]

LOL Barnakiel..... How about a cheque book as thick as a Chapmans book

[barnakiel]

Well then, Calder or Payne. I prefer Payne - sort of like I think it is easier to understand for a non-electrician.

b.

[Dynamo1181]

"Living on 12 Volts With Ample Power". A bible every one living aboard should own.
A

[CaptainBW]

The 12 Volt Bible for Boats is also pretty good, and it is less expensive than most others.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by ShipShape

... Beyond that, Charlie Wing's book mentioned by colemj is fantastic. Some people are critical of him because he doesn't conform to ABYC standards ...

Who suggested that Wing doesn’t comply /w ABYC Standards?

According to Ed Sherman, ABYC Senior Instructor and Curriculum Designer:

“Boatowner’s Illustrated Electrical Handbook is perfect for learning how your boat’s electrical system and much of its equipment works, and it will be an invaluable guide when adding equipment as well. This book needs to be in every boater’s library as a ready reference on how to make effective repairs and modifications that comply with ABYC standards.”

[ShipShape]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Who suggested that Wing doesn’t comply /w ABYC Standards?

GordMay, you do not know any of the people who told me that Charlie Wing doesn't conform to ABYC standards. Given that ABYC standards are committee generated, and Charlie Wing is a physicist and physicists are not easily swayed, I carelessly assumed that there would be differences. Thank you for pointing out that the ABYC supports Charlie Wing - that particular book of his is delightful.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by ShipShape

... I carelessly assumed that there would be differences.
Thank you for pointing out that the ABYC supports Charlie Wing ...

So there is no basis to the claim that Charlie Wing's advice doesn't comply /w ABYC?
It's merely a careless assumption, based upon his training as a physicist, and their known (to you) proclivities towards healthy skepticism, and the cooperative nature of the recommendations.
I repeated Ed Sherman's endorsement of the Wing book. Although Ed is prominent within the ABYC, I don't think his is an official Council endorsement (in this case).

[clearsea]

Both Wing's and Calder's books have served me very well for many years, plus taking time to survey the forums to get a feel for controversies, plus good commercial websites like Blue Sea.