problem and solution that is described.
A recent project that addressed a wide range of electrical system problems included rewiring and upgrading of the electrical systems on the M/V Voyager-I a 10 year old 52' steel trawler. The boats electrical system included a 15kW Generator set, two 
3,000 Watt Inverters and a shore power circuit with a isolation transformer. The owner had identified over 50 problems related to the boat's electrical and electronic systems. Our job was to fix these problems and bring the vessel's electrical systems up to ABYC standards.
The pictures and their descriptions on this page illustrate some of the problems and the changes we made. While this was a large job the majority of the tasks involved were similar to ones encountered on smaller boats and the challenges encountered the same as experienced in upgrading other vessel systems.
PROBLEMS FOUND AND SOLUTIONS PROVIDED:
• Undersized wiring and the resultant excessive voltage drop, on a number circuits, was responsible for many of the system problems.What we did: First we reviewed the total electrical system looking at both problems and requirements. Then we used a circuit by circuit approach to correcting wiring problems. Problems located and corrected included undersized wiring, shorts, poorly routed wires and cables and inadequate support and protection.
• Incorrect grounding, the lack of adequate grounding was causing a variety of problems including intermittent equipment operation, alternator failure and radio interference. What we did: Located all ground cabling, traced them locating ground connection points. Relocated cables and connection points and installed them correctly. Replaced incorrectly sized connectors and tested connection conductivity.
• Inadequate over-current protection with multiple sources of power and numerous unprotected AC and DC circuits resulted in a collection of potential safety hazards.What we did: As circuits were analyzed, cables rerouted and correct over-current protection was added. This included a new circuit breaker panel, relocation existing over-current protection devices to conveniently located panels and installation of additional disconnect & transfer switches, fuses and breakers.
• System component failure as the result of one or more of the problems identified. 
Failed equipment included alternators, regulators, switches, a battery combiner and instrumentation.
What we did: As circuit problems were corrected equipment was replaced with correctly sized components, necessary over-current protection and relocated for improved access.
What we did: Added a conveniently located NewMar DC Energy Monitor system. Removed bad connectors and redundant battery cabling used in long runs. Relocated and replaced one battery and added battery switches that permit selection of the source of power for battery charging.
• Ventilation system’s inadequate intake and exhaust for the engine room resulted in excessive heat load on the engine and chiller system causing inefficient operation and equipment overheating.
What we did: Relocated equipment and cabling blocking air ways and installed additional blowers.
• Corrosion monitoring system was both inadequate and inoperable making it impossible to monitor corrosion potential on this steel vessel.
What we did: Removed the inoperative corrosion monitor and installed a Electrocatalytic CM2 corrosion monitor system with a new hull potential reference electrode.
• Low voltage encountered from shore power sources at a number of marinas while cruising was 208 volts and inadequate to operate vessel AC systems.What we did: Installed a Charles Industries Smart Boost 50 transformer to boost the shore power voltage up to 240 volts.
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