Regal 2200 - Systems; Electrical System

Systems
4-1
ELECTRICAL
There are two types of electrical systems available on most vessels.
One is called direct current ( DC for short). Regal boats primarily use
12 volt DC current. It is called DC because in a circuit it flows one way
only. Your automobile is a typical example of 12 volt DC current.
Alternating current is used on boats with shore power capacity. It is
called alternating current (AC) because it travels in one direction and
then in a fraction of a second reverses its flow. Shorepower uses
alternating current on selected boats. It is normally 120 volts and 60
cycles per second in the United States. Your home is an example of
alternating current. In this manual, we will focus on direct current.
Direct Current (12 volt DC)
Storage batteries (sometimes called wet- lead cell
batteries) furnish 12 volt electricity to boat
components. Storage batteries use 2 dissimilar
metals immersed in an liquid to carry current
(acid). The engines require large reverse amounts
of battery power for starting purposes. Check
the maintenance chapter for battery information.
The automobile battery is charged up by the engine alternator. The
same holds true for the marine battery. The dash volt meter displays
the battery voltage. If the volt meter shows below 12 volts there could
be a charging system malfunction. This condition needs to be
investigated before the batteries become completely drained.
Systems
4-1
ELECTRICAL
There are two types of electrical systems available on most vessels.
One is called direct current ( DC for short). Regal boats primarily use
12 volt DC current. It is called DC because in a circuit it flows one way
only. Your automobile is a typical example of 12 volt DC current.
Alternating current is used on boats with shore power capacity. It is
called alternating current (AC) because it travels in one direction and
then in a fraction of a second reverses its flow. Shorepower uses
alternating current on selected boats. It is normally 120 volts and 60
cycles per second in the United States. Your home is an example of
alternating current. In this manual, we will focus on direct current.
Direct Current (12 volt DC)
Storage batteries (sometimes called wet- lead cell
batteries) furnish 12 volt electricity to boat
components. Storage batteries use 2 dissimilar
metals immersed in an liquid to carry current
(acid). The engines require large reverse amounts
of battery power for starting purposes. Check
the maintenance chapter for battery information.
The automobile battery is charged up by the engine alternator. The
same holds true for the marine battery. The dash volt meter displays
the battery voltage. If the volt meter shows below 12 volts there could
be a charging system malfunction. This condition needs to be
investigated before the batteries become completely drained.