Practical Boat Electrics

Service Description

Electrical failures are among the most common and frustrating issues skippers and boat owners face afloat. Designed to demystify 12V and 24V marine direct-current (DC) systems without requiring an engineering background, this practical one-day workshop equips sailors with the skills to maintain, inspect, and troubleshoot onboard electrical installations safely. Hosted at our Thameside clubhouse in Central London, this workshop provides accessible, hands-on training to ensure power reliability at sea. Through practical exercises using marine electrical test rigs, you will explore how house domestic banks and engine starter batteries operate, evaluating Lead-Acid, AGM, Gel, and Lithium battery maintenance alongside solar, wind, and alternator charging circuits. You will gain hands-on experience using digital multimeters to measure voltage drops, trace circuit continuity, inspect marine-grade tinned wiring, manage distribution panels, and resolve terminal corrosion issues. Full Syllabus: • DC Power Architecture: 12V/24V DC battery bank design, engine starter vs. house domestic separation, and battery chemistry management (Lead-Acid, AGM, Gel, Lithium). • Charging & AC Integration: Alternators, smart regulators, solar panel controllers, wind generators, inverter systems, and 230V AC shore power Galvanic isolation safety. • Practical Multimeter Testing: Using digital multimeters to measure voltage drop, test circuit resistance, trace continuity, and inspect tinned copper wiring standards. • Circuit Protection & Fault Finding: Distribution board management, fuse/circuit breaker sizing, terminal corrosion prevention, and logical fault-finding procedures afloat. Course Inclusions & Equipment: The course price includes practical access to classroom electrical testing equipment, digital multimeters, and wiring demonstration rigs throughout the session. Non-member registration also includes a complimentary 1-month temporary club membership, granting full access to clubhouse bar and dining facilities to help you integrate into the Little Ship Club community. Schedule & Location: • Dates: Saturdays (09:30–16:30). • Location: Little Ship Club Clubhouse, Bell Wharf Lane, London. Pricing & Membership Terms: • Member Price: £75 • Non-Member Price: £100