Captains Handbook | Page 16

Remember that the capacity of the batteries is limited and try to keep your consumption to a minimum. Avoid leaving lights switched on unnecessarily. ELECTRICITY R 12V electrical power YOUR BOAT Y t s o Electricity on board is provided by 12 volt batteries, recharged by the engine or by shore power. One battery is for starting, the other ones are for the domestic equipment. To ensure that the batteries remain properly charged the engine must run three to four hours each day (a little more for a boat equipped with an electric fridge or air cooling). All boats are equipped with a 12 volt cigar-lighter type-plug. You can connect your adaptor lead for a mobile phone or any other low power equipment with the appropriate connection. 220V electrical power Some boats are equipped with 220 volt transformers for electric razors. You can plug in a mobile telephone charger or any other low power appliance but nothing else. Do not use them for hair dryers or irons. Shore power Some boats can connect to a power point on the quay via a shore power cable. This provides 220V power to the boat’s domestic equipment and recharges the batteries. Ports equipped with power points are shown in most cruising guides. We advise you to use them whenever possible to boost the boat’s electrical system. Some boats also allow the operation of 220V appliances such as laptops while you are cruising. High wattage appliances such as hairdryers and irons are not recommended for use while cruising. Battery cut-off switches Remember to unplug the shore power cable before starting the engine and pulling away from the port. Lost or stolen shore power cables will be charged for. Two big red switches enable the batteries to be isolated (for example, in the event of a fire). In normal circumstances, don’t touch them. If you have a general power failure on board, you should first check that they have not been switched off by mistake. Fuses and circuit breaker These protect your boat’s electrical circuits. In the event of a partial electrical failure you should first of all check the fuses or the circuit breakers. Your instructor will sh