How do I get control of the switchboard?

One of the most important units in the electric supply system for the boat is the switch panel or switchboard. The switch panel is where most electric and electronic units are switched on or off, most fuses are found, and most cables are connected.

Especially on older boats, the wiring behind the front panel often looks like a bird’s nest, and for the inexperienced, it might look overwhelming to connect a new piece of equipment. Usually, it is impossible to check which wire goes to a specific instrument. Another question is often: “how many wires are actually in use”? A clean-up is necessary. But how do you take the first step?

In this course, you will learn about the switchboard and how it, in most cases, is constructed. We will be looking at different types, and you will learn how they work. You will get to know the idea behind the many wires and why they are needed, and you will gain knowledge about wire dimensioning and how they are connected in the right way.

After the course, you will be able to connect plotters, radar, and instruments safely. You will also learn about relay control and how you can control more powerful equipment like autopilots.
You need to select a suitable cable for that specific piece of equipment, and there are several factors you need to consider before choosing the correct wire.

Did you know that solid copper cables are not allowed onboard? It has to be soft multistranded wires. Usually, wires and cables used in houses are not approved for the marine sector.

The safest place to connect new electronic equipment is either directly in the switch panel or to one of the existing cables from the panel. In many relatively new boats, wires and cables have been installed by the manufacturer or yard. However, even if the installation is brand new, there are still many wires and cables behind the front panel, and often you will find a PC board where the wires are connected.

During the course, you will learn about the many wires, and the “bird’s nest” will turn into wires with a purpose. You will also learn why connecting the new equipment directly to the batteries is never a good idea.

The course emphasizes practical application with examples, pictures, and videos. In addition, real-life stories support the theory.

The switchboard in most smaller and medium-sized leisure boats and yachts is constructed in more or less the same way, but some yards decide to use more advanced switchboards. A reason for this is that you can have distributed panels to control equipment from locally placed panels. In some cases, computer control is hidden behind the panels. In other cases, a central processor has control. You will see examples of different switch panels and learn how they work.

After the course, you should feel safe by opening up the switch panel and finding the right place to connect the new equipment. At the same time, you will be familiar with fuses and wire sizes. You will know where to connect the fuse so accidents are prevented, and select the correct wire for length and current consumption.

What about the larger consumption units and control of them? The small contacts in the switch panel cannot handle the higher currents. However, high current equipment is easy to handle with a relay. You will learn how to control a relay from the switches in the switch panel. Then it is only the imagination that sets the limit. The autopilot, the heater, the winches, bow thruster, and windlass are all controlled by relays. After the course, you will have a good understanding of how this works.

The course follows the course on electrical safety onboard, which is a good idea to watch first. The level is set so most boat owners can join.

If you would like to install equipment in an electric safe and reasonable way, make changes in an existing switchboard, or maybe build your own, then this is a course for you.

What do I need to know concerning power sources?

Are the charger and the original 230V system capable of handling all the new equipment installed and connected on a modern boat?

Years ago, only a relatively few medium-sized boats had 230V on board. There was only a cable for the battery charger in most cases, and since there wasn’t that much electric equipment, a relatively small charger 10-20A was sufficient. Today hot water tanks, charging of laptops, coffee machines, electric kitchen equipment, TV, or refrigerators are being installed when a younger family buys an older boat. It is an excellent idea to look at the 230V system when new equipment is installed.

Many boat owners don’t know that the shore power cable needs to be grounded and that it must be connected to all outlets, hot water tanks, etc. Also, did you know that the cables on board must be multistranded soft wires?

In the course, you will learn about the requirements for the 230V installation and why the requirements have been implemented, including outlets, ground fault relays, etc. You will learn how the 230V switchboard work and about its requirements. We will look at the inverters and how they can be implemented. Last but not least, you will learn how solar energy and wind power can charge the batteries most effectively.

Most boat owners don’t like to install 230V on board, but in many cases, the local electrician doesn’t know how the system works in a boat. Moreover, they do not know the requirements. Therefore many will refuse to make an installation or make changes. Thus, it might be good to understand how the system is connected and know the requirements yourself.

The course emphasizes practical application with examples, pictures, and videos. In addition, real-life stories support the theory.

You need to pay attention to several things, especially when running the cables in wet areas. Depending on where the shore power inlet connector is placed (in the anchor bay or the cockpit on deck), the requirements for the connector are different. You will learn about IP grading.

Inverters

Most boats have a 230V shore power installation, making it possible to enjoy an espresso or take a hot shower when in a harbor. However, more and more people are looking at the possibilities with an inverter, providing 230V when at sea.

The inverter converts 12V from the batteries to 230V, which offers many opportunities, for example, charging a laptop so you can “work from home. But there are some things you have to pay attention to with installing an inverter. Since the current can be very high, thick cables are necessary along with a main fuse. You will learn about the different options the inverters offer.

Solar energy and wind power

In most cases, the batteries are either charged from the shore power or when the engine is running, but more and more people see the advantage in using sun and wind power. These power sources can be used as an addition to shore power and the engine. Especially on longer trips, the sun and wind power can be a valued power source.

In the course, we will explain the differences between mono- and polycrystal sun panels, the wind generator installation, MPPT power regulator, and how a total system consisting of shore power and sun/wind power through an MPPT regulator is working.

This course is an extension to the course on Electrical Safety, which you can watch first. The level is set so that most boat owners can join.

If you want to know more about how shore power, solar panels, and wind generators are connected and learn about the requirements, then this course is for you.

This course covers low-speed networks: NMEA0183, NMEA2000, Seatalk NG, and Simnet. The course also goes in-depth with high-speed networks such as LAN and wireless networking. 

Also, the exchange of motor data over a J1939 network and connection to NMEA2000 is reviewed.

Wire colors, terminations, drop cables, and installation, including backbone, are reviewed. It explains how to connect different equipment, e.g., GPS to VHF.

Examples are shown of the communication phrases that are sent between different equipment on board. Here is how a PC can be used to display the sentences and how to generally troubleshoot networks.

 In this course, you will learn about galvanic corrosion and grounding. 

When two different metals are placed in a liquid that can conduct a current (a so-called electrolyte), a current will be drawn, which causes one metal to be destroyed. Saltwater could, for example, be such an electrolyte, and it can therefore cause corrosion in the boat. 

The corrosion is due to the electrochemical voltage range reviewed in the course. It also covers how galvanic current occurs.

The course also shows how to measure whether a galvanic current is flowing (and whether there is corrosion). Prevention of corrosion with corrosion zinc is also addressed, including its function, location, treatment, and grinding.

In addition to the galvanic current, grounding and ground plane are also reviewed in this course. Some types of equipment require grounding to function correctly. For example, radar and MF/HF radio. The function and necessity of the ground plane are reviewed and how it is connected and mounted correctly.

This course focuses on VHF radio and VHF antennas. The VHF radio’s overall function as a safety device is reviewed, including Digital Selective Calling (DCS). 

The course also explains how a VHF radio is maintained, where it can be used, and VHF’s requirements on leisure boats.

In the antenna part, the course goes in-depth with VHF antennas, antenna cables, 50 ohms vs. 75 ohms, losses in these, and how the associated connectors are mounted on the cable. 

The course covers how to choose the right antenna and the suitable cable, including how to adapt the cable. 

Also, losses in antenna cables, some theories of standing wave conditions, and the radio waves range are reviewed. 

Finally, an example of troubleshooting a VHF system with AIS is also given.

This course focuses on medium wave (MF) and short wave (HF) radio, SSB, and DSC. The range and use of the various radio systems are reviewed.

Also, the different MF and HF antenna types are explained.

Safety equipment such as EPIRB, PLB, AIS-MOB (personal beacons), and SART radar are reviewed. 

Besides, AIS, which is a critical security system, is reviewed. The course covers what it is, how it works, and how to use it.

This course covers various satellite-related systems. It includes satellite phones and Iridium communications, including SMS, email, and data.

Various options for the internet onboard are also reviewed. In addition to satellites, which covers most of the earth, it is possible to have faster coastal internet in the north via NET1.

The course covers tracking and monitoring via Vsat, Maretron, and Actisense.

The course also reviews how a PC-based system can be used as a chart plotter, GPS, anemometer, etc.

This course is about how to examine the electronics on board, especially before buying a boat. 

Besides, various aspects of autopilot troubleshooting and setup are reviewed.

Many things can be checked in connection with the purchase of a used boat. The course explains where to pay special attention. It can be things like:

• Has there been water in the boat?
• Batteries – what is the voltage after standing ½-1 hour without charging?
• What age and condition do the autopilot, plotter, and other instruments have?
• What does it look like behind the switchboard?
• How are the cables and wires around the boat in general?
• What is the condition of pumps?