Electrical System Maintenance
Maintenance of the boat and associated electrical systems is an important part of being a boat owner and prudent skipper.
Electrical System Maintenance
Battery
- Monthly: Check battery charge levels and ensure terminals are clean and corrosion-free.
- Annually: Test battery capacity and replace old batteries that are no longer holding a charge.
- Before Each Trip: Ensure batteries are fully charged.
Wiring and Connections
- Quarterly: Inspect electrical wiring for corrosion, fraying, or loose connections. Ensure wires are properly supported and secured.
- Annually: Test all navigation lights, bilge pumps, and communication systems to confirm they are functioning properly.
Each boat has its own personality when it comes to energy usage and charging. No two boats are the same. Different types of batteries behave differently and all boats draw power at different rates. To get to know your boat’s electrical personality, monitor your energy availability and usage throughout the day. Find out what is drawing the most – maybe it is your refrigerator, maybe it is just leaving the inverter in the on position. Maybe your solar panels are shaded at certain times of the day due to your docking arrangement. Who can say? In any case, get to know your boat. Know that whenever you run down your batteries, you damage their long-term life. Keep your batteries charged as much as possible and turn off non-essential electrical systems.
