[Electronic pod propulsion]

I have install a pod system on a NB

Owner is very happy with the performance.

 

It is check roughly every two years all is fine. 

[WiFI]

I suggest you talk with WIFI on Board

[Twin battery chargers]

Have a look at the 48-volt victron Inverter / Chargers they have high output battery chargers. 

[Poor wifi signal in marina.]

Speak with WiFi-onboard

[Stove Replacement Issues]

Don't forget insurance implications?

Of the installation of a new stove. 

[Pitting on 15 year old boat.]

There is growing evidence that a GI can be switch on by stray current within the supply circuit.

The correct solution is either a Isolation or Polarization  Transformer.

 

Check out the Smartgauge web site.

[Victron BMV 712 - Does it have a memory?]

34 minutes ago, ivan&alice said:

I have four 400W panels in series so they produce up to 10A at 160V. I'm not sure what the threshold of danger is but that seems like enough to cause a pretty big spark if I disconnect them abruptly on a sunny day - possibly even a shock if I touch the wrong things?

 

Seems to me like a breaker is a good idea, I don't care much whether it is a BSS requirement - it just feels like it would make maintenance tasks (like switching the polarity of shunts) a lot easier. Ideally I'd like to have breakers everywhere really but the low voltages on most of the system make that non cost effective. Since you can get a 10A DC breaker fairly affordably it seems like a no brainer to add one to the solar input!

 

No one answered my other question so I assume that it's not a problem to have solar panels in series in the sun not connected to anything, i.e. if you have the breaker turned off`? What happens to the energy - would they simply get hot if they didn't have any load on them?

With that level of voltage a double poled isolator would be a better way to address the situation.

If you do use a circuit breaker ensure it is rated for DC voltage up to about 200 volts. 

[Victron BMV 712 - Does it have a memory?]

The ex examiner is not going around kicking stone I stand by the generall requirements.

I have been isolation since March 20.

 

 

[Victron BMV 712 - Does it have a memory?]

I am referring to the panels and the regulator

 

Not the regulator and the batteries which requires protection in the form of fuse or a circuit breaker 

[Victron BMV 712 - Does it have a memory?]

To all who have question my statement that it is good practise to have the means to quickly isolate and electrical system.

I Ref to page 21 of the BSS check list dated April 2015  general requirements box at the top of the page item 9.

 

I have been a BSS examiner but not for a number years. 

[Victron BMV 712 - Does it have a memory?]

With any mircogenerating system  it is always good practise to have a means of isolating the DC output as is checked during a BSS inspection.

[Victron BMV 712 - Does it have a memory?]

I had three occasion last year when the the panels required disconnecting when the regulator was putting around 20-volts into a 12-volt battery system.

This situation caused damage to both a Mastervolt and Victron equipment.

Both unit required replacement.

 

A significant number of installers do not use the correct type of solar plug meaning that a screwdriver is required to disconnect the panels.

The cost of a switch is around £ 25.00

[Victron BMV 712 - Does it have a memory?]

Surely in a situation, if the panels needed to be disconnected quickly I would rather turn a switch than have to look for a screwdriver, then undo the two screws. 

[How long should batteries stay charged ?]

12.5 should be enough to start the heater 

I wonder if there is significant volt-drop on the cable suppling the heater?

[Victron BMV 712 - Does it have a memory?]

Most if not PV installation standards required a form of isolation so that any require maintenance can be undertaken safely.

Some PV installation voltages within marine applications are in excess of  200-volts

[Victron BMV 712 - Does it have a memory?]

It is poor practice to have no protection or isolation between the panels and the regulator 

 

[Thinking on expanding WBWS]

It is my understanding if your craft is registered as a houseboat then the wiring is to the IET 18 edition. 

Not ISO 13297 AC wiring which now incorporates 10133 for DC wiring.

[Thinking on expanding WBWS]

17 hours ago, pearley said:

I would like to think any professional working on a boat would have appropriate liability insurance. It's 14 years since I last took out this sort of insurance (as a vehicle electrician) but pretty sure I was asked for proof of competence.

In all of the years I have worked within the Inland Waterways Sector I have never been asked to proved my electrical competence when taking out or renew my PL insurance.

[Thinking on expanding WBWS]

19 hours ago, David Mack said:

That course says it is based on the BMEEA Code of Practice. But as far as I am aware that CoP is not available to non-members of the BMEEA, unlike the ISO standards referred to in the RCD which are available to anyone (at a cost).  

So it's a bit hard for most of us to know whether work on our own boats complies with the Code or not.

Any one can purchase a copy of the BMEEA C of P.

Just contact the technical department of the British Marine Federation.

[Thinking on expanding WBWS]

There is a definition on the HSE website 

A competent person who is someone who has undertaken a qualification to shown his competency.

One way will be to complete the BMET course and pass the exam.

 

It is a two day course presented by a excellent person 

[Electric cables via engine bay accepted by BSS?]

1 minute ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

When I asked my last shell builder to sign an Annex III declaration so I could RCD my build, he told me to fark off, he never signs NOTHING. 

 

I suspect the problem was he could neither read nor write. 

 

 

However you did get a good hull.

[Electric cables via engine bay accepted by BSS?]

1 minute ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Eggsactly.

 

Use whatever they want and just make the declaration that it s been done properly - no one will find out !

Fortunately  some installer do get found out and prosecuted, I have acted  as an expert witness in three case to date

[Electric cables via engine bay accepted by BSS?]

11 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

There is a gulf almost universe-wide between the steel fabricators who actually build boats and the chair polishers in offices at ISO

 

 

Some of the people involved with and ISO group are also installers.

 

The main reason within inland waterways is self-certification, No one to  police the industry 

[Electric cables via engine bay accepted by BSS?]

8 hours ago, Chewbacka said:

I think the 3% requirement was added since I fitted out our boat, so I am behind - again?

The 3 and 10 % rule  was added to the ISO in 2013.

Most installer are not aware of this within the ISO.

[Galvanic Isolator Installation, How?]

There is another issue which might need to be considered when installing a Galvanic Isolator.

There is alot of documentation that galvanic isolators are being activated 

By the voltages found on the earth cable within the distribution network on the shore side of the galvanic isolator