Electrical Systems

A typical silencer should be mounted no more than 4 ft. (1.2 m) below the highest point in the exhaust line. Attach a separate wood mounting base to hull stringers or other suitable structure. Then secure the silencer to hull using silencer manufacturer’s recommendation. Be sure the silencer outlet is not more than 10 horizontal ft. (3 m) from the engine exhaust manifold outlet. UL marine exhaust hose should be used.

AC Voltage Connections

WARNING

Explosion.

Gasoline vapors can cause explosion and severe injury or death.

Before starting generator set, operate blower 4 minutes and check engine compartment for gasoline vapors.

Explosive fuel vapors can cause severe injury or

death. Gasoline vapors can explode and can cause death or severe injury. USCG Regulation 33CFR183 requires all electrical devices (ship-to-shore transfer switch, remote start panel, etc.) to be “ignition protected” when used in a gasoline (gaseous)-fueled environment. These electrical devices are not “ignition protected”and are not certified to operate in a gasoline (gaseous)-fueled environment such as engine room or near fuel tanks. Acceptable locations would be wheelhouse or other living areas sheltered from rain and water splash.

WARNING

Moving rotor.

Hazardous voltage.

Can cause severe injury or death.

Do not operate generator set without all guards and electrical enclosures in place.

Hazardous “backfeed” voltage can cause severe

injury or death. Do not connect to any building/marina electrical system without connecting through an approved device and after building main switch is open. Backfeed connections can cause serious injury or death to utility personnel working to repair a power outage and/or personnel in the vicinity. Unauthorized connection may be unlawful in some states and/or localities. A ship-to-shore transfer switch must be installed to prevent interconnection of generator set power and shore power.

AC connections to generator set are made inside the controller box. The generator set is usually connected to

aship-to-shore transfer switch which allows the use of shore/utility power when docked or generator set power when docked or at sea. The wiring is then connected to a main circuit breaker box (panelboard) which distributes branch circuits throughout the craft. See Section 5. Wiring Diagrams for reconnectability of generator set.

Installation in Steel or

Aluminum Vessels

Installation of a generator set in a vessel constructed of a material capable of conducting current (e.g.: steel or aluminum) is subject to considerations not normally encountered in fiberglass or wood vessels. These differences include equipment grounding, grounding of neutral conductors, ground fault protection, and isolation of galvanic currents.

While the scope of these topics is too extensive to be fully discussed here, references to the appropriate governing bodies will be identified for further investigation.

The information provided here is intended to serve as a guideline to boat manufacturers and generator set installers. This information is not intended or implied to be limited to these sources and is subject to revision by the appropriate governing bodies.

Prior to installing the generator set, check the wiring diagrams to become familiar with the electrical system.

Generator sets installed in pleasure craft are governed by the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Boat and Yacht Council, Inc. Compliance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulations given in Title 33, Part 183 must be followed. Generator sets installed in pleasure craft require a grounded neutral system as specified in ABYC E-8.4.b. Various wiring configurations are illustrated in ABYC Standards E-8.22 through E-8.29. Grounding of appliances and equipment is covered in ABYC E-8.12. Galvanic corrosion prevention by means of galvanic

6-12 Installation

TP-5695 12/93