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Ed's Boat Tips

Ed's Boat Tips by Ed Sherman

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Ed Sherman is a nearly 40 year industry insider, designing customized training programs for the ABYC, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA, who loves to share what he has learned with other boaters. Read full bio
[ May 23, 2013 ]
by Ed Sherman

Wayne wrote in last week describing what can only be described as a scary situation (I know its happened to me.)  It seems the water pump on his nearly 30-year-old Universal diesel finally had a bearing failure. What happens when this occurs is that the impeller inside the pump housing begins to scrape on the inside of the pump housing and, depending upon the design clearances, maybe even the front of your engine block.

[ April 11, 2013 ]
by Ed Sherman


It's the time of year when we take the covers off our boats and start that annual spring clean-up and maintenance routine to get ready for a summer of fun on the water. With that in mind, let me just share with you all one of my biggest fears about boating. It's called the single point failure.

[ April 2, 2013 ]
by Ed Sherman

A reader recently wrote in with a question about ELCI devices . Here's Jim's letter:

[ March 18, 2013 ]
by Ed Sherman
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Check For Voltage Drop Diagram
Photo by: Ed Sherman


 

 

(Diagram from one of the author's books, Advanced Marine Electrics and Electronics Troubleshooting)

[ February 26, 2013 ]
by Ed Sherman

Ben wrote in over the weekend with a good question that we need to share because its a question we get fairly often. Ben's question: "What is the most effective way to connect the bonding wire to items like sea cocks and rudder stock? Currently the bonding cables are held against the sea cock and rudder stock by stainless hose clamps."

[ January 16, 2013 ]
by Ed Sherman


A colleague sent over some photos yesterday of a small fire that had occured at one of the electrical connections on a ELCI breaker device he had sold to a customer. The photo below shows the aftermath of the small fire and the melted plastic around the terminal.

[ December 11, 2012 ]
by Ed Sherman
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Blue Sea Circuit Wizard
Photo by: Ed Sherman

 

[ October 10, 2012 ]
by Ed Sherman
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Amp Clamp
Photo by: Ed Sherman

We received a question the other day about the proper orientation of a DC amp clamp on a conductor that's worth sharing because it can be a bit confusing and could have some real ramifications on your diagnostic capabilities if you get it wrong. The question is which way the amp clamp should be oriented around the wire you are checking. In the photo above you can see the amp clamp I use most of the time now. Its my Blue Sea model 8110. Notice the "plus" sign and the arrow embossed on the jaw of the clamp.

[ September 11, 2012 ]
by Ed Sherman

Received a question from a reader the other day regarding wiring connections found in the bilge area of their new boat. Simple question, how do I minimize the risk of the wiring connections shown in the photo I sent in to you from getting all corroded over time? The stud you see is a keel bolt on my boat, so the wiring is sitting in the bilge.

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