Boating New Zealand - July 2018

| subscribe | magstore.nz/boatingnewzealand Boating New Zealand 83

and speciications, it is also a big job that at times will require

multiple hands to ease wires through tight conduits.

It could take weeks or even months if tackled on a part-time

basis. And the job may require some specialist test equipment –

if, for example, digital switching circuits are installed. So it’s a no-

brainer to employ a specialist marine electrician for the project.

We spoke with Ian Douglas, Service Manager of Westhaven’s

Marine Electrics, for some pointers – and his irst piece of

advice? Switch to digital technology.

Although the existing wiring can simply be replaced with

a new backbone, digital switches can simplify the wiring, and

certainly add some ‘smarts’ to how items are controlled.

Whereas a conventional system requires power cables

running between every item and the central switchboard, a

digital system has a single, powered backbone running around

the boat. Every item draws its power from this common power

source, while a much lighter (and in some cases, wireless) circuit

runs to one or more digital switching units.

his enables touch screens and mobile devices to be used to

ABOVE Past its use-by-date. Probably a good idea to

ditch this switchboard and fit a new one with circuit

breakers.

ABOVE RIGHT Clean, compact, simple. Modern switches

not only operate more reliably, they also look better, and

USB charge points are always useful.

RIGHT Vital information at a glance.

BELOW Let’s start over.

For many of these

‘mature’ boats, the

sensible thing is to bi

it all and start again.