I did a barge recce today.
For the record I don't own or want a boat, I work on them and I like to play with them...they're like grandkids.
I'm a road boater and I have enough craic plugging leaks in Vans without wanting to worry about sinking.
What you're about to see despite what I'm about to point out is one of the best installs I've yet to come across. That's for perspective, the bar is not high in this field. This is a professional boat fitters work. I've seen far far worse.
![](https://i.imgur.com/1B3qqMG.jpg)
Let's start in the Engine Bay and work forwards.
The powerplant is a Yanmar something or other
![](https://i.imgur.com/99ZBh9e.jpg)
3 Alternators! Count 'em!
![](https://i.imgur.com/b6WB45O.jpg)
160A House battery....not operational
-50A Engine Battery....not operational
![](https://i.imgur.com/2wwrYzY.jpg)
Unknown amp 230V Genverter
Genverter regulator
![](https://i.imgur.com/xJ8iIFw.jpg)
660Ah look like they're working very expensive AGMs and a flooded engine battery. No retention...meh! freshwater boat....20ton maybe...
![](https://i.imgur.com/7iMoCAU.jpg)
Cable loading imbalanced, differential charge and draw issues.
Complete with janky isolators (not Switch-Disconnects)
Alternators are switched.
![Shocked :o](https://www.fieldlines.com/Smileys/default/shocked.gif)
![](https://i.imgur.com/7yCxVr4.jpg)
Twin calorifiers, no accumulators or expansion vessels found.
![](https://i.imgur.com/TDRPW05.jpg)
1kW mains elements, hydronic diesel & engine coolant fed.
![](https://i.imgur.com/43kzIF9.jpg)
Right posh that hydronic yolk.
That Diode Splitter will be deleted first opportunity. Function unknown, charge limitation device suspected.
Hydronic coolant expansion vessel installed in the master electrical distribution closet.
![](https://i.imgur.com/RCDLhVj.jpg)
Charming Bilge Pump installation with float switch
![](https://i.imgur.com/B0beiym.jpg)
50' boat. one bilge pump, one float switch. No manual pump found.
![](https://i.imgur.com/VP67iJY.jpg)
I see more like that than good installs.
They're sacrificial aren't they? Like anodes. It's only a life-saving device.
![](https://i.imgur.com/rGmRCeb.jpg)
Wrapped exhaust...take off that wrap and you'll understand why it's a terrible idea in Ireland on a boat.
Into the companionway
Engine cluster not visible from the tiller position.
![](https://i.imgur.com/P2dbtsE.jpg)
Low voltage alarm disconnected...that's how we fix defective alternators dontcha know.
![](https://i.imgur.com/EsHp51u.jpg)
12V Circuit breaker panel
![](https://i.imgur.com/dCb6IRO.jpg)
Labels not required.
![](https://i.imgur.com/zvExBvb.jpg)
Backlight disconnected...no point no labels.
Nobody bothered to cut the cable ties for 10 years.
Impossible to read from anywhere Habitation Gauge Cluster
![](https://i.imgur.com/MuU2l73.jpg)
Reassuringly Expensive
Mains Master Distro
![](https://i.imgur.com/gYhdSyC.jpg)
One Defective RCD
Lighting and sockets on same MCB
Calorifier elements isolated from inverter.
![](https://i.imgur.com/MiseBrG.jpg)
DIY interlocking Shore/Genverter/Inverter (two of these are true) changeover system
& a Galvanic Isolator that despite being obsolete for the last 20 years are still being fitted.
No isolation transformer found.
DC ground to hull to earth impedance 30Ω
![](https://i.imgur.com/LgGdHLw.jpg)
Genverter not neutralised. The not working RCD can't work underway.
Somebody involved was a Sterling Fan. I am not.
![](https://i.imgur.com/QzK9JoS.jpg)
I can't say their devices fail to meet specification because they're very wishy-washy specifications.
I do know they're 120A input B2B units only output 90A.
I have opened their products and found cheap as we can build it manufacturing with badcaps heros inside.
These above-pictured units have stifled cooling. They live in a closed cabinet. The inverter heats the Battery to battery charger. The 210A not operational (because alternator not operational) battery to battery unit is mounted sideways making the lower heatsink semi-redundant and the fan is pushing against a closed cabinet door during normal operation.
I can exceed these battery to battery unit's performance with intelligent cable gauge and routing. For a quarter of the cost.
Sterling inverter has a 70A charger fed from Genverter. I bet those alternators get toasty hot, air-cooled in a sealed locker with no head-wind.
On to the kitchen.
![](https://i.imgur.com/7bm19vq.jpg)
Mains fixture in an extractor fan duct. Good or bad idea?
![](https://i.imgur.com/Mn6f1m7.jpg)
Under counter lighting. Horrible colour. Janky connector block.
You know I can wire entire installations and not use any of those? Just saying!
12v Fridge
![](https://i.imgur.com/tYAchTj.jpg)
5 times the normal fridge price.
![](https://i.imgur.com/ouo1hDf.jpg)
Rebranded Danfoss compressor.
In a stifled cabinet, no external insulation, no active cooling. I can triple the efficiency in 4 hours.
On a janky chocy-block.
![](https://i.imgur.com/g59KjVc.jpg)
Mains sockets
![](https://i.imgur.com/7bGhUCE.jpg)
on artic flex...all I can say is it's not wrong.
Mains lighting throughout...
![](https://i.imgur.com/7FfRvIz.jpg)
Why?
12v installation.
Dya think that Sterling inverter lump is reliable?
Or efficient?
Or you might want to let it go to sleep ever?
...and they're filthy fluorescents.
...what happens if a socket trips? (answer above)
Mains dimmers
![](https://i.imgur.com/7VcO7Ec.jpg)
At least it's earthed, and thanks for the neutral. Now I can get 12V dimmers for 12v lights for €3...any takers?
Radio
![](https://i.imgur.com/AnxXcaa.jpg)
Yurp...that's normal!
12v receptacle.
![](https://i.imgur.com/hOKUSuW.jpg)
Nothing melty....yet.
Moving forward Prow aka front locker if this boat had a windlass which it doesn't.
![](https://i.imgur.com/zMqJ70M.jpg)
Bow thruster and an alternator starved starting battery resting 8V with another janky isolator.
Shurflo fresh water pump.
500L freshwater tank.
Zero cable retention or stress relief hard mounting points found.
First agenda, fix nothing!
1.5kWp of solar!
![Cool 8)](https://www.fieldlines.com/Smileys/default/cool.gif)