Electrical problems can be the most common boating problems faced, so basic knowledge of your boat's electrics is the best way you can handle this. You'll often find that faulty connections are just caused by damp or water, corrosion or poor contacts and simple maintenance tricks will solve your problems easily and quickly.You should always keep your safety in mind as a prime factor when working with electricity, though. Even the smallest electric shock can cause heart failure and battery acid may cause severe burns.Owners' ManualOne of the most useful reference tools you'll find for dealing with minor problems on your boat is the owners' manual. If you don't have one or have lost it, then download a copy from the manufacturer's website, it will save you time when troubleshooting problems.Best Tools for Boat ElectricsThe best electrical tools for your boat are basic hand tools, set of drill bits, a 1/2 inch drill, 3/8 cordless drill, assortment of hole saws, wire stripper, double stranded wire, connectors, electrical tape, fuses and holders, test light, soldering gun and past, tie straps, silicone caulk, stainless screws, side cutters and shrink tube.Always use marine-grade wiring and equipment on your boat, using household appliances or wiring devices can be dangerous and cause fires.Last Resort When All Else FailsWhen you've tried to troubleshoot problems with your GPS, chart plotter or any other equipment powered by microprocessor your last resort tip is "clear" or "restore" it by running a master reset. This could just involve powering down but you should be advised that it will clear all your saved routes or waypoints, which could be problematic if you haven't backed them up onto the types of memory cards used for cameras or phones. This is a useful tip for any complex electrical equipment on the boat, turning it off or shutting down any circuit breaker could be the best way of getting the equipment running again.Radio Reception ProblemsWhen you get problems receiving favorite radio stations the best tip is to tap into the power of your VHF antenna by installing an AM/FM/VHF marine band separator, which eliminates any need for another antenna. If hearing the sound of your radio is a problem over engine and wind noise then you should consider fitting an external amplifier speaker, which you can pick up from any marine store.Digital MultimeterInvesting in a digital multimeter is a great buy for boat owners. Your multimeter measures AC or DC current and these are often combined on one electric circuit in boats. Whether you want to check out a faulty light bulb or find out if your battery is charging correctly, just follow wiring back to source using your multimeter to check all the electrical points along the route and you'll soon discover where your fault lies. Fuses can be easily swapped over and very often you'll find poor connections are due to faulty contacts or some kind of corrosion. Cleaning the contacts with a small wire brush often solves simple electrical problems and there's no need to call in a professional to do the job for you.Petroleum JellyKeep a small tub of petroleum jelly in your tool kit, it's great for smearing onto electrical connections to keep them free of corrosion.Keeping up with regular maintenance of your boat should help cut electrical problems experienced while out on the water and help ensure total enjoyment of your leisure time.
