Understanding Boat Electronics

Once you've brought you boat, you will want to tweak the boat electronics. Standard off the shelf manufacturing on board is not tailored to your needs. They didn't offer a water proof speaker in the heads - did they? When you start thinking about all those alterations you can do, suddenly the list is quite long. The issue will be your un powered for your gin palace.

Navigation Set Up

Before ripping into the panels and cupboards with a drill, exploring wiring options. Learn about the needs of wiring all boat electronics up. Things to gem up on are: which wire to use for what job, how much juice will that use and what options are there for supply?

The usual requirements are for marine navigation lights or interior / exterior

led dome lights these appliances do not drain your power source and use very little power. However the more your imagination wonders, the more your list grows. Inmarsat, Iridium, radar?

Practical everyday nautical kit marine wifi nav instruments for example. For those sailors tried of endless wires that get crossed and confusing when approaching junction boxes. The link points at a page which gives directions on how to install this sanity saving device.

For those sailors who cannot live without music at anchor or underway, fortunately the industry provides marine stereos to smooth away gybing practice or spinnaker hoists!

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Before moving on to the hints and types below. Have a look at the benefits of topside lighting Led deck lights If you are a cruiser sailor, spending nights on board then these are really handy. Particularly when getting from the tender on board, or after a few liquid attitude adjusters!

Helpful Definitions & guidance

First off here some definitions which are universal whether your on board or not:

Amp - measurement of electric current. Electrons pass from the power source through the appliance and then back to the power source. This completes the circuit

Volt - measurement of potential rather than actual. More volts means more electrons. It is a force

OHM - Relates to resistance. The resistance of the wire. Depending what the wire is made from - usually copper, it will offer a resistance to the passage of electrons

Watt - is the measurement for power. It is used after monitoring the volts or amps and give an indication of power over a timed period.

In order to know the amount of current that you will need your boat electronics to work. Simply gather all the ratings of all your components on board, the rating will be watts. Then divide by twelve. This will give you an average value. List all your appliances with their wattage and average.

The next step is using amps to work out in "amp hours" the time you use each appliance for. Fractions of hours and amps is normal. Marine batteries are expensive. They are best recharged after 50% of capacity is used. There are several types of battery, including starter batteries. They come in a variety of sizes and weights. Thorough research is best prior to buying your batteries.

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