Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems: Maintenace, Troubleshooting, and Improvements [Hardcover]

Edwin R. Sherman (Author)

Book Description

Series: A 'boating' Magazine Book | Publication Date: May 4, 2000

Like having an electrician looking over your shoulder, but much cheaper!

You can use this simple, step-by-step, illustrated guide to do your own electrical projects and repairs. Author Ed Sherman walks you through the basics, including wiring diagrams, diagnosing problems, ignition systems, battery systems, shorepower circuits, installing equipment, surveying your boat's wiring, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Frustrated by the high cost of basic electrical work but nervous about tackling such projects yourself? Ed Sherman wrote and teaches the American Boat & Yacht Council's certification program for electrical technicians. Now he's written this heavily illustrated, project-specific manual--the next best thing to having an electrician looking over your shoulder, and a lot cheaper!

Basic theory is combined with a problem-solution format that provides step-by-step directions for repairs and add-ons. From installing a new cabin light, CD player and speaker, fishfinder, or VHF radio, to tracing a faulty ignition circuit, it's all you need to maintain your boat's basic electrical systems. Learn to

• Draw up a wiring diagram for your boat
• Locate and identify the wiring and circuit components
• Select and use a multimeter
• Choose and maintain battery and marine ignition systems
• Troubleshoot starter-motor, engine, and instrument problems
• Install DC and AC marine accessories, equipment, and electronics

Any powerboater will find Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems a valuable addition to their arsenal of onboard tools.

"Ed Sherman's national recognized expertise in electrical systems in boats make him a natural choice to train and certify marine electricians. . . . He believes, as I do, that doing it right the first time will surely enhance your boating experience."--C. T. "Skip" Moyer III, President, American Boat & Yacht Council

About the Author

Ed Sherman is the author of Outboard Engines and is a professor at the New England Institute of Technology in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (May 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071343261
• ISBN-13: 978-0071343268
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,121,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sherman's assault on electrical mysteries!, June 28, 2000

By 

Yacht Systems Services, Inc. Don Gulliver - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems: Maintenace, Troubleshooting, and Improvements (Hardcover)

Whether you're a new to electrical systems or a professional serviceman, there is valuable material here for you. The book starts with the basics of electrical circuits, wiring diagrams and test equipment. The liberal use of drawings and photographs clearly illustrates the theories set forth. The recommended test equipment is used and demonstrated consistently throughout the book. So, any user purchasing or owning similar devices will have a clear idea how to apply them when troubleshooting and maintaining an electrical system. The explanation of wiring diagrams, symbology and use in maintenance applications is very easy to follow. For the professional serviceman, the references to ABYC standards and practices is very informative. The chapter covering circuit protection and repair procedures gives significant insight as to what is or is not a good electrical connection! There are two chapters devoted to batteries and battery charging systems. This included the use of isolators, combiners, wiring schemes, hydrometer testing, load testing, alternator and shore power charging systems. Explanations are thorough enough to explain the workings of these systems for basic troubleshooting or selection of equipment for upgrades to systems. AC and DC devices aboard the boat are each covered in their own chapters. Installation considerations as well as troubleshooting are explained. Safety with AC systems is discussed at length. Again there are frequent references to the ABYC standards throughout. Finally the book wraps up with the chapter on electronic installations. Issues such as RFI, magnetic field interference, power, and basic physical considerations are included. For the boat owner interested in doing it themselves, or those that want a little more knowledge when dealing with servicemen, this book provides a solid base of theory and practical knowledge for both. All installation and maintenance explanations are given in the context of the ABYC standards. Therefore I highly recommend it as a book to have on the shelf for professionals as well.

Don Gulliver President Yacht Systems Services, Inc. Virginia Beach, VA

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sherman certainly doesn't tank with this tome., March 6, 2004

By 

"reddoberman" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems: Maintenace, Troubleshooting, and Improvements (Hardcover)

In fact, he more resembles King Henry at the Battle of Agincourt with this winning effort. I dabble in Marine Electrics but find myself ineffective applying the principles of instruction. While I understand why a customers boat needs a working galvanic isolator, or why I want to rip out from their boat the residen-
tial type solid copper conductor Romex cabling when I see it, putting that into phraseology understandable by someone trained in another specialty is usually a problem. With this book I can either explain in words or hand them the pagemarked book itself.
I usually do the latter and keep on working.
I appreciate the depth into which the author explains shorepower systems, especially how he echoes my distaste for ferro-res chargers and my preference for 3 and 4 step smart chargers and multistage inverter chargers.
Anyone who owns a hole in the water you pour money into that has at least one engine, battery and decked over bow should have one copy of the 12 volt bible on board and another back at the house.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn 12vdc by Boat!, August 4, 2006

By 

Jeffrey Harrington "Jeffrey Harrington @ Wryt.Me" (Kansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems: Maintenace, Troubleshooting, and Improvements (Hardcover)

Very useful, but recommend it only for those who want a very detailed description of 12vdc. While it is mainly for boats it is clearly a resource for all who are considering Solar or 12vdc systems. Detailed descriptions, photo's and diagrams. Well worth the money!