The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible, 3E

A Practical Handbook for Cruising Sailors

By John C. Payne

Praise for the 3rd edition:

SAIL, May 2007

"'Electrical problems are not an inevitable part of cruising and racing. An acceptable level of reliability is possible, and in fact is necessary,' says author John Payne. His Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible will help you achieve this reliability with detailed information on selecting, installing, maintaining and troubleshooting all the electrical and electronic systems on your boat. The information is presented in classic textbook style, accompanied by tables, graphs, and wiring diagrams to make the information easy to find and understand. Each chapter is dedicated to a system, which is explained and thoroughly analyzed. This new edition is fully updated to include modern systems and new technologies.

Praise for the 1st & 2nd editions:

Cruising World, September 1999:

"This new edition is expanded to include advances in marine electronics, including the Internet, email, GMDSS, and updated radio frequencies. The easy-to-follow reference handbook advises, with diagrams, how to select, install, maintain, and troubleshoot onboard electrical or electronic systems. It includes a three-language electrical glossary, a worldwide service directory, and a listing of marine electrical suppliers."

Latitudes & Attitudes, March/April 1999:

"More and more sailors are relying on electronic and electrical devices aboard their boats, but few are aware of the proper installation procedures or how to trouble shoot them when they fail. This book covers this in a well written, easy to understand format that even a sailor will understand."

Practical Sailor, December 1995:

"The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible by John Payne differs from most other treatments of this important topic in its outline format. There’s very little theory or long digressions; as Sgt. Friday’s sidekick used to say: “Just the facts, ma’am.”  The troubleshooting guides are valuable. Includes AC and DC systems, plus most electronic equipment. A handy reference."

Classic Boat, July 1995:

“You might think “Bible” is overstating the case a little, and perhaps from a strictly Christian perspective it is. But from any other viewpoint the word is apt. Everything a sailor could possibly want to know about marine electrics and electronics is here, very sensibly gathered in clearly signposted chapters, complemented by over 150 line drawings and 105 tables.

"The book starts with the basics: batteries and how to charge them, before moving on to wiring and lighting systems, water and engine systems and the old AC/DC quandaries. You know you’re dealing with someone who’s serious about his subject when you get nine pages on lightening protections alone, including intimate meteorological details of how lighting is generated and what to do in a lightening storm.

"Other interesting inclusions are a section on galvanic action, another on water systems, including plumbing details, plus a brief but illuminating (!) discourse on using alternative forms of energy for recharging.

"The second half of the book gets to grips with some serious electronics, extending to peripherals associated with electrical equipment such as radar reflectors ‘including the rather disturbing claim that blind spots in a conventional octahedral reflector add up to nearly 180 degrees when the boat is heeled, even if they are not fitted correctly, which 70-8- percent are not! Helpful information is inserted along the way, such as the phonetic alphabet and radio frequencies for weather forecast ‘ the US, the UK and Australia only I’m afraid.

"Unless you happen to be an electrics/tronics nut, this isn’t a cover-to-cover bedside read, but as a reference book on the subject it is outstanding.”

Yachting Monthly, April 1995:

“Four hundred pages of technical information and diagrams make this weighty tome an essential part of the on-board library. Every aspect of a yacht's electrical system is covered clearly, offering sound advice on planning for alternative energy sources, battery capacity and types, charging systems, electrical corrosion prevention, and maintenance of existing AC and DC equipment and wiring.

“The second half of the book is dedicated to electronics, and covers safety devices, instrument and navigation equipment, communications and computer systems in the minutest detail. Throughout one is given very up-to-date information on which equipment is currently available, and at the back is a useful troubleshooting guide, lists of advisable spares to carry, and a comprehensive directory of services and suppliers throughout the world.

“All in all, this book makes an essential reference manual for both the uninitiated and the expert.”

Soundings, March 1995:

"The ever-increasing range of electrical and electronic equipment available to recreational boaters today captures a lot of attention. But Payne says the systems required to support all the gadgetry are often ignored. Payne, with 18 years experience on merchant vessels, offshore oilrigs and recreational yachts, has written his book for the cruising boat owner. Beginning with theory, the book progresses through selection, installation and maintenance or marine electronic systems. Payne, advisor to three Australian BOC around-the-world sailracing boats in 1990-91, stresses that electronic navigation systems are only aids and no substitute for good seamanship."

 


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