The 12-Volt Bible for Boats

AcknowledgmentsIntroduction to the Second Edition, by Ed ShermanIntroduction to the First EditionChapter 1. BASIC THEORY OF ELECTRICITY: A PrimerA Few Words of Caution The Atom and Its ElectronsThe Atom; Electrons; Molecules and Bonding; Ions and ElectronsTerms DefinedCoulomb's Law; Charge; Current; Voltage, Potential Difference, and EMF; Energy; Power; Amp-Hours; ResistanceElectricity Is Not Water, But . . . Ohm's LawIR Drops and I2R HeatChapter 2. ELECTRIC CIRCUITS: Parts of the SystemCircuit ComponentsSeries CircuitsParallel CircuitsChapter 3. THE BATTERY: Heart of the SystemPrimary and Secondary CellsPurpose and Function of the Storage BatteryWhat Happens When DischargingWhat Happens When ChargingElectrolyte and HydrometersPreventing Freezing; Using a Hydrometer; Determining Specific Gravity on Sealed BatteriesLoad Testing BatteriesStorage Battery ConstructionDifferentiating among BatteriesAnatomy of a Battery; Six-Volt Batteries; Newer Battery TypesBattery BanksSelecting a BatteryBattery Maintenance and ToolsChapter 4. THE WIRING: Electrical Veins and ArteriesProper SizeResistivity; Wire Length; ThicknessInsulationIdentification CodesTerminalsInstallationA Lesson in SolderingChapter 5. THE CONTROLS: Brains of the SystemThe Control PanelWhere to Put It?; Replacement AlternativesSwitchesMaster SwitchFusesCircuit BreakersRelaysPanel MetersChapter 6. TRANSDUCERS: Things That Do the WorkWhat Do You Need?LightsNavigation Lights; Interior Lights; Exterior LightsMotorsMotor Maintenance; Starter Motors; Refrigerator Motors; Bilge PumpsElectronicsInstallation; Power Consumption; InterferenceChapter 7. RECHARGING THE BATTERYMultiple Battery IsolatorsAlternators and GeneratorsThe RegulatorMaking Adjustments; Checking Charging Voltage; Regulator Settings; Recharge RatesAC Shore Power and Solid-State ChargersProper AC Converter/Chargers; Danger: Shock and Galvanic Corrosion; Maintaining Proper PolaritySolar CellsWind ChargersWater ChargersDC-to-AC InvertersChapter 8. TROUBLESHOOTING THE SYSTEMTroubleshooting PrinciplesTroubleshooting Instrument: The Multifunction MeterReading Ohms; Reading DC Volts; Reading AC Volts; Reading DC AmpsTroubleshooting Instrument: Test LightsA Continuity Tester; Make Your Own; Buying or Making Test LightsLocating FaultsLight Won't Work; Moisture-Related Problems; Engine Won't Start; Bilge Pump Problem; Blinking Masthead LightNoodling Out a SolutionMake a Picture; Follow a System; Tickling the Field; Simple Problems with Varying Degrees of ComplexityLeaks and Their DetectionPARTING WORD: SOME THOUGHTS ON MAINTENANCEYour Boat's Electrical ToolboxSpare Parts and JunkRESOURCESContact InformationInstallation RecordsINDEX

Miner Brotherton is a longtime boater and university professor of physical sciences (retired) who excels at rendering technical boating topics in lay terms. Hometown: Bristol, Rhode Island

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