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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Electiclal System

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adamb
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/22/2004 : 22:10:26

The whole subject of the electrical system is a mystery to me - I have a 1984 Catalina fin keel std rig. I am quite sure I have the original electrical system and want to read up on how it works, and how i might approach an upgrade.

anyone know of a good book or two on this subject - sort of Boat electronics for dummies?

My goal is to end up with a simple, but safe and reliabel system -
No air, no fridge, just lights, instruments. The boat has a Bowmar charger and shore power, with a Guest 2 battery switch, and a 12v outlet where we plug in our electric kettle for making tea.

My Johnson Sailmaster has a working electric start and is able, so i am told, to charge the batteries when running.

Norwegian Blue
Jacksonville, FL
1984 Standard Rig, Fixed Keel, Traditional Layout

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2004 : 12:05:44

Try Nigel Calder's "Boat Owners Mechanical and Electrical Manual" or "The 12 Volt Bible" (author unk). There are many others. Check B. Dalton on line.

Do you have a specific problem we can help with?

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2004 : 13:01:18

Nigel Calders book is excellent. Its also about $75. Post your questions. I've been through every aspect of my 78s electrical system.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2004 : 14:22:05

see if you can track down leon sisson...I think he's still on the forum. He has a pretty nice electrical setup that he installed himself

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2004 : 16:34:21

Also check out www.amplepower.com, www.jackrabbittmarine.com (spelling of jr may be off) and the West Marine Advisors, both on-line and in their catalogs. Very helpful material.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2004 : 20:02:35

adamb,

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">anyone know of a good book or two on this subject - sort of Boat electronics for dummies?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I'd suggest "Sailboat Electrics Simplified" by Don Casey, and "Boatowner's Illustrated Handbook Of Wiring" by Charlie Wing. "Boat Owners Mechanical and Electrical Manual" by Nigel Calder is a great reference book to have in your boating library, but I don't think it fits your stated requirements quite as well as the other two.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...if you can track down leon sisson...I think he's still on the forum. He has a pretty nice electrical setup that he installed himself...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Thank you Duane, thank you. Here's a link to the most important page of the schematics, the [url="http://home.mpinet.net/%7Esissonl/boating/photos/c25_elec_sch_p2.gif"]charging and high current section[/url]. Here's a link to a poor pic of the [url="http://home.mpinet.net/%7Esissonl/boating/photos/C25_elec_panel_11.JPG"]distribution panel under construction[/url]. I should point out that the completed system has worked flawlessly for several years, including a month long cruise to the Bahamas. Happy studying, good luck, and feel free to ask us any questions the books don't answer.

-- Leon Sisson

(edited for obvious spelling error)

Edited by - Leon Sisson on 11/23/2004 20:14:01

adamb
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2004 : 21:28:21

Great information, and thanks leon for the graphics. I have what I need for now - i am so low on the curve that i really do not have inteligent questions yet. i need to do some reading.

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2004 : 21:32:37

I agree with Leon (as usual) and have done a number of projects on different boats with both books in one hand and the wire nippers in the other, all have turned out fine. I wired Orion for shore power and improved the 12 volt a bit. There is something very satisfactory about wiring stuff up, throwing the switch, and having it all work as supposed to, preferably without the smell of burning electrics. Good luck, ron srsk Orion SW FL

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2004 : 13:38:51

Casey's book "Sailboat Electrics simplified" is great.

I buy most of my books from Amazon.com

You usually get 30% off list, and if you buy 25 dollars worth of books there is no shipping. and of course no sales tax

And don't forget to get a digital multimeter with a contunuity tester built in. Casey's book will teach you how to use that too

I have also collected a full set of Ancor electrical tools, ie: stripper, heavy duty wire crimper, battery cable crimper, and a full set of Ancor connectors, and an Ancor multimeter. Good stuff. I hate cheap tools. and if you ever have a question on Ancor products, their tech reps are really helpful.

Don't forget to use stranded, tinned wire too.

Good luck

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2004 : 20:52:57

One of the sources you might try is the wiring diagrams in the Catalina 25 owners manual. They're crued but will give you a good idea of your system setup.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

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adamb
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2004 : 17:31:53

good idea
anyone know where to get the original scchematic for the 25?

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2004 : 19:05:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by adamb
 good idea
anyone know where to get the original scchematic for the 25?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hi Adam,

Maybe these will help ... they are from the old C-25 manual ...

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2004 : 00:23:41

Test your mast light colors. The schematic was wrong for me and others.

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adamb
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2004 : 22:19:26

thanks guys - this is fantastic help -
as this prject gets under way - ill be back to get some more advise - but does me for now, chow

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