Charleston Sail and Power Squadron will be teaching Marine Electrical Systems starting 25 September (Tuesday) at 1830 (6:30 PM) in our club house (1376 Orange Grove Road in West Ashley). After completing this class you should be able to make simple additions and repairs to your boat’s electrical systems. Approximately 90% of electrical problems on recreational vessels can be corrected by using the techniques covered in this course.

Let SEO Chad Wilber know if you will be taking this class; his e-mail is CWilber2@aol.com. Please be there 15 minutes early for the first class for fee payment, book issue, etc. Tim Taylor, JN who works full time building and repairing recreational boats, who is also ABYC certified, will be the lead instructor, P/C Harl Porter, SN, who was the principal author of this USPS course, will also be teaching. Cost of class is $65 for squadron members and $100 for non members. Class is seven weeks long (starting on 25 Sep); the last class (6 Nov) will be a review followed by the exam.

Topics covered include: Properties of Electricity, Boat Electrical Wiring, Direct Current (Battery) Power, Alternating Current (Shore / Generator) Power), Galvanic and Stray-Current Corrosion, Lightning Protection, and Troubleshooting and Repair. In addition to the Student Text, a CD will be provided containing all classroom Power Point slides. Hands-on use of a multimeter to test and troubleshoot electrical circuits will be covered. Class room PowerPoint illustrations / pictures will be augmented with real “show and tell items” to permit student to see and handle actual electrical systems components.