Electrical

Bolder and Statpower Battery Packs

In the October 15, 1999 issue we reported on four 17-pound, 17-amp-hour (Ah) battery power packs whose main purpose is to jump dead batteries,...

Cabin Fan Destruction Test

In the double issue of September, 1999, was a report—part of a special section on ventilation—on cabin fans.A dozen fans were tested for noise,...

AGM Batteries: Optima Our Choice

The basic lead-acid storage cell was invented by Thomas Edison in the late 1800s, and the fundamental chemistry hasn’t changed since. If you suspend...

Offshore Log:More (Shore) Power To The People

Like most projects, our recent installation of a 240/120-volt stepdown isolation transformer turned into more of a task than we originally envisioned.Our transformer installation...

Offshore Log:More (Shore) Power To The People

Like most projects, our recent installation of a 240/120-volt stepdown isolation transformer turned into more of a task than we originally envisioned.Our transformer installation...

Smart Chargers: Statpower TrueCharge+ Still Top Dog

For years, the battery charger has been the stone simple, ferroresonant type consisting of a transformer which takes 110 AC and steps it down...

When Do You Need A High-Output Alternator?

In our last report on high-output alternators (HOPA), in the September 1994 issue, five leading brands were tested. The conclusion was that there is...

Solar Tests: Kyocera and Uni-Solar

The September 1998 issue contained test results of 10 solar panels-the Siemens SP-70, SM-50, SM-46, SM-20, SM-10 and SM-6, Solarex MSX-18 and MSX-10L, and...

Battery Monitors: The E-Meter Vs. the Sophisticated SALT

In the February 15, 1997 issue, we reviewed battery monitors and stated that Cruising Equipments E-Meter was the only one of the four models...

7 Inverters Tested: Ace is Statpower

If the prospect of consistently available 120-volt AC power on your boat sounds enticing, you might be in the market for an inverter. An...

Lagoon’s WILD NEW 43 Footer is Replacing the 42!

Are you interested in chartering a catamaran sailboat? This is Lagoons new entry level cat. The 43, and while you can still buy a...

Latest Sailboat Review

Cape Dory 30 Used Boat Review

When the Cape Dory 30 entered production in 1976, it was the largest boat in the expanding line of the Taunton, Massachusetts boatbuilder. In...