Foreword to the Second Edition by Skip Burdon, President and CEO, American Boat & Yacht Council Preface to the Second Edition Introduction Chapter 1. Electrical Basics You Need to Know What Is Electricity? Electrical Circuits Ohm''s Law and What It Can Tell Us Voltage Drop Putting It All Together Circuit Problems and How They Occur Tools Chapter 2. Working with Wiring Diagrams The Trouble with Boats Wiring Diagrams Common Symbols Component Identification Wire Identification and the ABYC Color Code Expanding the Basic Circuit Locating Components Drawing Your Own Wiring Diagram Chapter 3. Selecting and Using a Multimeter Multimeters Selecting a Multimeter Using Your Multimeter Measuring Amperage Measuring Resistance and Continuity Chapter 4. Wire and Circuit Protection Standards and Repair Procedures Order Out of Chaos ABYC Standards and Recommendations Basic Wiring Wire Size Wire Insulation Fuses and Circuit Breakers Ignition Protection Testing Fuses and Circuit Breakers Levels of Circuit Protection Acceptable Locations for Fuses and Circuit Breakers Wire Routing and Support Connecting the Dots: Making Wiring and Connection Repairs Chapter 5. Batteries and Battery Systems How Batteries Work: The Basics Basic Chemistry Types of Lead-Acid Batteries Which Battery Is Right for You? Battery Safety Battery Maintenance and Testing Battery Installations Testing Your Batteries Chapter 6. Battery-Charging Systems Alternator Basics Engine-Driven Marine Alternators Alternator Problems Outboard-Engine Charging Systems Shore-Power Battery Charging Systems and Installations Solar Cells Chapter 7. Maintaining Marine Ignition Systems Ignition-System Components Regulations Regarding Ignition Systems Outboard and PWC Ignition Systems Maintaining Ignition Systems MerCruiser Thunderbolt IV and Thunderbolt V Systems Beyond the Basics: Outboard and PWC Ignition Systems Outboard and PWC Ignition Tests Testing Your Stop Switch Final Checks and Ignition Timing Chapter 8.
Tracing and Repairing Starter-Motor Circuits Coast Guard Regulations for Starter Motors Starter-Motor Problems and Solutions Troubleshooting Starter-Motor Circuits Outboard-Engine Starter Circuits Testing the Neutral-Safety Switch Engine Ignition Switch Other Outboard-Engine Starter-Motor Problems Chapter 9. Installing Your Own DC Accessories Before You Begin Installing a New Cabin Light Installing a New Bilge Pump Adding a New Compact-Disc Player Chapter 10. Engine Instrumentation Problems and Solutions Mechanical Gauges Common Instrument Interpretation Problems Abnormal Instrument Readings General Instrument Troubleshooting The Future Chapter 11. Alternating Current and AC Equipment What Is Alternating Current? AC on Your Boat AC Safety Color Coding for AC Wiring Comparisons between AC and DC Circuits AC Overcurrent Protection Basic AC Outlet Connections Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters Checking Voltage, Continuity, and Polarity on AC Circuits Selecting a DC-to-AC Inverter AC Generators Galvanic Isolators Chapter 12. Installing Marine Electronic Equipment Electronic Gadgetry Universal Installation Details Power Supply Installing a VHF Radio How Much Can I Gain? The Coaxial Question Installing a Fish-Finder or Depth-Sounder Installing a GPS Receiver Installing Your Own Radar Glossary Resources Index.