Electrical Charging System Design Reference

[mrhoneydew]

Is there a reference that one might recommend over another that would help design a charging system including battery bank, wind generator, solar panels, etc...?

[camaraderie]

Well...I don't think anyone has put it together that way but a good lace to start would be by calculating your actual amp hour needs. Use the worksheet here to do that: Southeast Marine Services :: Technical Information :: Battery Bank Sizing

There are a lot of folks here that can help you with the task once you know your daily needs. Additional info needed:
1. Full time or part time cruising?
2. Living at anchor or at dock with electric?
3. Type of boat and current set up. Engine/Alternator/battery banks
4. Cruising grounds...Caribe-Mexico-Worldwide etc.
5. Available space for panels?

[badsanta]

b00k, amazon.com has lots. I like The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible
by John C. Payne (Author) many more. You will need several

[Melrna]

I too am looking at a total electrical system redo. I came across the Ample Power website. They have a technical section on electrical wiring diagrams for various systems. Here is the one you asked for: Retro-fitting Existing Electrical System. Their website has other wiring diagrams and other technical information on various boat electrical systems. I found it makes a good start when one is retro-fitting an existing system to their specific needs.
While they tout their own products, I am sure one can substitute another brand. Many cruiser bulletins like the Ample Power products and rate them as good or better than other popular brands out there. They also sell a book on electrical systems as well. "Living on 12 volts". I hope this helps.

[mrhoneydew]

Thanks for the references... just the sort of thing I was looking for. I have seen a few books and websites but was hoping for some suggestions of things I had not seen and/or that were better than others. Again, thank you.

The boat I am thinking about buying is a clean slate so I would be designing the system from scratch.

And Melrna, thank you for the Ample Power reference... I will be relocating to Seattle this spring and I may have to pop in and talk to the folks there. The diagram in the link you posted is just the sort of thing I was hoping for. Thanks!