After years of additions, removals, abuse, and misguided McGyverisms, no system on board harbors greater potential for starting a fire than your vessel’s electrical system. Here’s a good example of what we’re talking about – a splice in the main AC power feed (between deck receptacle and main panel) made by simply twisting the wires … Read More
Boaters are an creative lot when it comes to solving problems afloat. Not only is this homegrown connector / junction in the positive DC wiring non-standard to say the least, it also leaves an energized bolt to arc and spark while bouncing around the engine compartment.
The pride and professionalism employed during an installation is often evident by the simple things…adherence to industry standard wiring practices, for example.
How many connections can you tie to one battery post?
This engine room exhaust fan and motor was covered with grease and muck, representing a substantial fire hazard.
Electrical system upgrades are a good thing, but only when done correctly. The installation below should have used a bigger panel or a backing plate behind the smaller new panel.
The construction seams of these batteries where bulging outward after minimal use. They were deemed defective and replaced by the manufacturer.
Below is a picture of an AC generator cut-over switch, another one that gave me that “something isn’t quite right here, but I can’t put my finger on it” feeling. It took me about thirty seconds to realize those three nice, shiny, hurky fuses where in fact pieces of copper pipe cut to fit into … Read More
Although once common, use of wooden boxes to house AC outlets is considered a fire hazard (due to possible arching plug terminals) and no longer acceptable.
Can you feel the frustration of the poor technician tasked with trouble shooting an electrical problem in this mess? Also note the lack of chafe protection where wires penetrate the bulkhead, as well as the evil “electrical tape joints,” which will eventually fall off, leaving exposed conductors.
