Not so long ago, the simple 12-volt test light was the tool to use when tracking down electrical problems. Increasingly, though, the digital multimeter is used by electricians and do-it-yourselfers to diagnose a wide range of problems in both DC and 110-volt AC marine electrical systems.
Even if you aren’t sure how to use one, having a multimeter aboard makes good sense for two reasons: If you run into trouble, chances are that someone else aboard or nearby will probably know what to do with the tool. And if you don’t have one on board, it’s guaranteed that you’ll never learn how to use it. Multimeters are relatively simple to operate, and the wealth of information they provide is priceless.
While meters come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes with different capabilities, features, and ranges, most function in the same way, and even an inexpensive one will do nearly everything the average do-it-yourself cruiser could ever hope for when troubleshooting common onboard electrical faults. To get started, let’s get to know the control panel, where you set the meter to perform a specific task. Once you understand the basic controls, we’ll dig deeper into their various functions and explore the tasks they perform.
On my multimeter, the instrument’s functions are arranged in a clockwise direction from the Off position.
A: When this function is selected, the multimeter measures AC-power voltage for doing shore-power, generator, and inverter work.
B: This function measures DC voltage for a battery, an alternator, and the other primary onboard electrical components. With an optional attachment, the meter pictured also measures rpm for gasoline engines.
C: The millivolts scale, represented by the symbol mV, measures thousandths of volts DC and is useful, among other things, for troubleshooting corrosion issues.
D: At this setting, the multimeter measures resistance in ohms, represented by the Ω symbol. Use your multimeter set to this position to identify poor connections and to evaluate the bonding system.
E: This setting, represented by the symbol of an arrow striking a wall, is the multimeter’s diode-test feature. Use it to evaluate a diode or your galvanic isolator-equipped shore-power system.
F: At this setting, the multimeter measures DC current in milliamps, useful in determining how much current is being drawn by, say, a light, fan, or motor.
G: At this setting, the multimeter measures AC amperage of power from shore, a generator, or an inverter. Use this to determine how much current an AC appliance is drawing and thereby gauge if it’s working correctly.
In upcoming columns, we’ll delve into specific troubleshooting tasks for this all-too-useful tool as well as explore techniques for measuring amperage, voltage, and resistance. Stay tuned.
Steve D’Antonio offers services for boat owners and buyers through Steve D’Antonio Marine Consulting .
More: boat maintenance , Electrical , How To , maintenance
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Recommendations for a good digital multimeter?
Thread starter kbbarton
Start date May 24, 2013
Forums for All Owners
Ask All Sailors
Hello, I am considering buying a digital multimeter for use on my boat. I'm not exactly electrically inclined (so I'm reading Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics Simplified", which is great), but I am learning. Does anyone have any recommendations for a particular brand/model of digital multimeter? Thanks! Kristian
You can run the gambit from way expensive (Fluke, Beckman, etc..) to free.. but for infrequent around the house (or car/boat) stuff, cheaper is better since you don't need the super accuracy and mega features of the expensive ones. I loaded up with those cheap 7 function ones from Harbor Freight , all for free with a coupon. Got one in every car and boat, in my tool box and two in the garage. And since they were free, I could care less if I drop, smash or toast one by accident. In fact, this weekend at my local HF, they are again giving them away for free with any purchase. Cheers, Brad
heart of gold
I am an electrician, for what its worth, and normally I would buy a Fluke or equal for trade use but I bought one of these for the boat. http://www.viot.us/showproduct.php?model=C9&sw=0 The things I like about it is that it has a DC clamp as well as AC and also came with a thermocouple for reading temperatures. For what it is, its pretty good. I have been using mine for a few years now.
Chris Patterson
Fluke. I like the 73, FM27, and the 88. No mistakes ever. The meter can work a thousand times right.... But it doesn't need to be wrong EVER. (Is your electrical system worth 5 dollars)?
Brad.. Same here. I have one of the little Harbor Freight meters in the boat and it has been working well for over 10 years. On the boat, ya really need to know things like "is 12V there?" or "is 120V there?" or is there a connection and is the connection good.. I have a great Omega meter for really fine measurements but it has never been needed at the boat. The only consideration is for batteries. If you are often attempting to measure battery state and need absolute accuuracy, the little meter can be a tenth or two off in that 12 volt range. I have compared the little cheapie to the Omega and I find the cheapie is off by a very small amount .. but it is off consistently the same amount.. in other words, it is repeatable but not absolutely accurate.. That works OK for me.
Fluke will last you a lifetime, I still have my 8000A from an earlier career. The 7X series can not be beat, and you can find them quite affordably on the ham lists, or auction sites.
I took a class on boat electrical systems from Bob Campbell at the Annapolis School of Seamanship a few years ago. His recommendation and requirement for the class (if you didn't already have a meter) was the Craftsman 82369 clamp on ammeter. I have been very pleased with mine and keep it on the boat. I think Sears sells them for about $60. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-digital-clamp-on-ammeter/p-03482369000P
Stu Jackson
Hmm. That Sears meter looks pretty neat. I just looked at their site, and it's on sale for $53.99
An audible continuity function is also useful on board to find shorts.
Mark Maulden
I bought an expendable HF to keep on the boat. It reads accurately, however, it's not very responsive to flucuations. Also, the test leads came out of the probes. And the test leads were "short".....
As with most things you don't get more than you pay for.
anchorclanker
Sears and Harbor Freight. I wont walk into a sears, and try not to support the Chinese any more than possible so avoid HF as much as possible. I dont think anything at HF "isnt" Chinese. Anyway, I have a Fluke 78 and it has served me well for over 20 years. That said, I wouldnt mind a DC clamp amp meter and that VIOT looks pretty good for the money. My Dad left me some good tools, and taught me that good tools pay for themselves in many more ways than simple math. Cost isnt always a factor, and you dont always get what you pay for. But its a pretty safe bet that something with a good name will give decent service. In electricity, a meter that gives faulty readings can be worse than no meter at all. Just because its free doesnt mean you want one.
I suspect that just about candidate meters are made in China now, even the Flukes. This, plus the fact that many meters are based on all-in-one ICs from only a few manufacturers has made me reasonably comfortable with the off-brands, if their physical construction is up to the job. I won't buy or recommend the cheapest of the cheap. I usually look for an upscale model from a chain, like Radio Shack or (in Canada Mastercraft). I imagine that the better Sears Craftsman meters may be pretty good.The nice thing about these places is that they will periodically use their better meters as loss-leader specials - eg a $60 meter on for $20. Among my collection I have a Radio Shack meter that looks like a clone of the Fluke 77, that's going on 20 years old. Still accurate. Has a fast-responding "analogue" bargraph, and beeping continuity.
Having an automatic "off" on them is a very real plus.
jibes138 said: And you can get a forged craftsman bottle opener that is guaranteed for life for only 35 bucks. Or you can be a cheapskate and get the 7 dollar version. Click to expand
It is my experience that learning to effectively use a multimeter is far more important than the make/cost of the meter! Chief
KD3PC said: Fluke will last you a lifetime, I still have my 8000A from an earlier career. The 7X series can not be beat, and you can find them quite affordably on the ham lists, or auction sites. Click to expand
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Smooth Sailing Marine
The ultimate collection of boat essentials for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts
Best Multimeter for Your Application
There are many uses and applications for multimeters. Whether you are a hobbyist looking to test some circuits on occasion, or a professional looking to use your meter daily, there’s a product for you. We understand not everyone is looking to buy the best of the best, but might be in search of something that will get the job done at minimal cost. We’ve put together a guide to go over the basics of a multimeter and a selection guide to help you with making the proper decision when buying a new multimeter for your tool collection.
Best Multimeter Recommendation: Quick Reference Table
If you want to skip all of the long reading (we know your time is valuable), we put together a quick reference table below for a multimeter we recommend in each of the categories we rated the meters in.
Budget Friendly
Klein MM300
View More Info
Klein MM600
What is a Multimeter?
A multimeter is a tool that can be used to measure or test different electrical properties. Each multimeter has different properties it can measure based on the model. A few of the most common measurements a multimeter can take are:
Capacitance
Temperature
A multimeter comes in a handheld form and is portable so it can be carried and used to measure anything from a small electronic device to a larger system within a house or building.
Most Common Uses for Multimeters
Multimeters have many uses and the possibilities are endless. We are going to cover a few of the more popular uses but there are many as multimeters are very powerful and cover a large range of troubleshooting and system checks. Some common uses are listed below.
Checking battery voltage
Checking for continuity in a circuit (which will confirm or deny a break in a wire)
Testing the output of an alternator
Checking relays for items such as starters, trim up/down controls, and other high current circuits
Checking fuses
Confirming there is voltage at a component that is not working
Confirming there is no power on a circuit before performing a repair
These are only a few common uses and there are many more out there. If you’re performing some of your own maintenance on your boat or other vehicle, it’s always a good idea to learn how to use a multimeter and keep one around the house. Check out our article on How to Test an Alternator on a Boat or Other Vehicle as an example of what a multimeter may be used for. You will find what to look for when identifying if your machines battery and alternator are at the proper voltages.
Multimeter Selection Guide
We’ve put together a guide to help you choose the right multimeter for you and the job you’ll be using it for. We’ve selected a few of the most popular multimeters on the internet at the moment and highlighted their characteristics to help you make a quick and informed decision. We’ve reviewed meters in three different categories: budget friendly, mid grade, and high end meters.
Budget Friendly Multimeters
Astroai am33d.
If you’re looking for something extremely cheap to get started on or do very basic testing with occasionally, the AstroAI AM33D may be something you’re interested in. The AstroAI is the cheapest meter we found that is a popular buy with a high rating. It’s going to get the job done but is aimed at a user who is looking to use it on occasion as a hobby and may not withstand daily usage on a tough job site. Below are some of the features and capabilities of this unit.
Price: ~ $13
Measurements:
AC/DC voltage
Additional Features:
Backlit LCD screen
Silicone cover
Low battery indicator
Instruction manual
Check out the video below for a preview of the AM33D in action.
Klein has been around since 1857 and is originally based out of Illinois. They are known for their tools in the electrical field and make a great product. Based on the track record Klein has with their hand tools, we wouldn’t think twice about recommending their products. They have come out with a line of multimeters to fit your needs and budget.
The Klein MM300 is a great starter multimeter with a ton of flexibility and features for the price. Not only is it durable but is safety rated up to 600V and comes with a broad set of features. Check out the lists bellow to see these features.
Price: ~$30
Up to 600V AC/DC voltage
Up to 10A DC Current
Up to 10MOhms Resistance
Battery Test Function
Durable, built to withstand a 3.3 foot drop
CAT III 600V safety rating
Check out the video below for a preview of the MM300 in action.
AstroAI DM6000AR
The AstroAI DM6000AR is another budget friendly multimeter we felt had a lot of bells and whistles for the cost of the unit. This unit is the most loaded of the three budget friendly units we reviewed and includes additional features such as the ability to measure temperature and frequency.
If you’re into convenience, (and who isn’t?) It even comes with a magnet to hang the unit from a metal enclosure as well as a kickstand to keep the unit upright when in use.
Price: ~$37
AC/DC Current
Hanging magnet
Thermocouple
Check out the video below for a preview of the DM6000AR in action.
Mid Grade Multimeters
Klein mm400.
The Klein MM400 is a great midgrade multimeter with a ton of flexibility and features for the price. Not only is it durable, it is also safety rated up to 600V and comes with even more features than the MM300 listed above. Check out the lists bellow to see these features.
Price: ~$50
Up to 10A AC/DC Current
Up to 40MOhms Resistance
CAT III 600V safety rated
Check out the video below for a preview of the MM400 in action.
The Klein MM600 is a great midgrade multimeter with a ton of flexibility and features for the price. Not only is it durable, it also has a CAT III safety rating up to 1000V, comes with even more features than the MM400 listed above, as well as a nice carrying case. Check out the lists bellow to see these features.
Price: ~$70
Up to 1000V AC/DC voltage
Durable, built to withstand a 6.6 foot drop
CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V safety rated
Carrying case
Check out the video below for a preview of the MM600 in action.
High End Multimeters
Fluke is a very well known company that produces a large range of tools for testing, calibration, and other applications. Fluke has been around since 1948 and can be found in just about every industry around the world. With having so much experience in the industry, it’s no wonder why Fluke is one of the leading manufacturers of multimeters.
We’ve chosen to review three of Flukes most popular multimeters. You’ll find a range of features between the three of them that will serve you in your line of work while staying within a price that will fit your budget. The first one, and most basic of the three, is the Fluke 113. Check out the details below.
Price: ~$138
AC/DC voltage up to 600V
Min/Max signal data to record signal fluctuations
Durable rubber case
CAT IV 600V safety rated
VCHECK LoZ low impedance measurement to check for AC voltage, DC voltage, or continuity all in the same setting
Need a Carrying Case/Holster?
The Fluke 113 does not come with a carrying case. The C12A and C90 cases are compatible with this unit and can be found below.
Fluke C12A Carrying Case
Fluke C90 Carrying Case
The Fluke 115 is the middle range model of the three we reviewed. The 115 has a handful of additional features compared to the 113 model including the ability to measure current, frequency, capacitance, and test diodes. This meter is tough and has the same durable case as the 113 and 117 models and includes a kickstand to keep it upright, a backlit LCD screen, and a data hold feature.
Check out the lists below for a full preview of all of the features and functions of the Fluke 115.
Price: ~$200
AC/DC current up to 10A
Min/Max/Average signal data to record signal fluctuations
Carrying Case/Holster
The Fluke 117 is very similar to the Fluke 115 but is designed specifically for electricians. The 117 has all of the measurement features the 115 has and also includes a built-in non-contact voltage detection with a selectable low-impedance mode to prevent false readings from ghost voltage. Along with the voltage detection includes automatic selection for AC or DC voltage.
Price: ~$210
VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection
Final Thoughts
With all the different types and brands of multimeters out there, we hope this guide has helped you select something that is appropriate for the jobs you’re looking to get done. We only touched on a small group of meters but we tried to bring a broad range of some of the most popular meters on the market today. We think you’ll find that having a multimeter around will help test simple items and components on your boat, vehicle, and other systems. If you’re new to owning a multimeter, there are many uses and skills you can slowly learn and can some day master all of the features on your meter.
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Dependable multimeters
The proliferation of electronic navigation, communication, power and security systems on modern yachts demands a dependable means of diagnosing these systems when they fail or fall short in performance. The best, most versatile tool for this job is a high-quality, digital, electrical multitester, also referred to as a multimeter.
Until recently, very few manufacturers offered waterproof, drop-resistant, highly accurate multimeters suitable for the offshore sailing yacht. The Fluke series of electrical testing units, known for their yellow rubber jackets, were virtually the only choice for the offshore sailor — and a rather expensive one. Today, there are numerous well-constructed multitesters up to the demands of ocean cruising, and most are well within the budget of the cost-conscious cruiser.
The Sperry DM8700 Techmaster digital multimeter is a rugged, professional electrical tester capable of reading current up to 20 amps AC/DC. A 20-amp, 600-volt fuse protects the device from virtually any electrical surge to be encountered on a sailing vessel. The unit is water resistant (not fully waterproof) and drop-proof to 10 feet. At roughly $200, the DM8700 is not exactly cheap, but certainly reasonably priced.
The Extech EX505 heavy-duty autoranging digital multimeter is an industrial, waterproof, drop-resistant device capable of measuring AC/DC voltage (1,000 volts), current (10 amps), resistance (40 megaohms) and capacitance (100 microfarads). Additionally, this unit includes a Type K temperature probe that measures from -4° F to 1,382° F, a capability not likely to be important to an ocean sailor — but who knows?
Along with the temperature probe and standard pair of test leads, the EX505 comes with a magnetic hanging strap, carrying case and 9-volt battery. Not a bad choice, especially when you consider a price tag of around $100.
A particularly good value is the Klein ET250 AC/DC voltage/continuity tester, which measures up to 600 volts AC/DC and may be used to test the function of GFCI-protected circuits, such as electrical outlets. Incidentally, all AC outlets on ocean vessels should be GFCI-protected to ensure the safety of both vessel and crew.
An interesting feature of the ET250 is its test connections, which are inserted into the base of the unit rather than the face, permitting easier storage in a tightly packed toolbox. The ET250 is drop-proof to 9.8 feet and rated IP53 dust/water resistant. At roughly 50 bucks, this device offers a lot while setting us back very little.
And of course, we have the venerable line of Fluke multimeters, which are generally regarded among electricians as the top of the line. The Fluke 28 II is fully waterproof and impact resistant up to a 10-foot drop, ideally suited for the offshore yacht. It also floats when stored in its yellow rubber holster. The Fluke 28 II measures up to 1,000 volts AC/DC, and up to 10 amps (20 amps for 30 seconds).
Running on three AA batteries, the Fluke 28 II boasts backlit keypad buttons, large display digits, and two-level bright white display backlighting for easy visibility in low-lit areas.” The unit sells for about $450, which is significantly higher than other devices in its class, but well worth the expense if you want the ultimate in dependability.
As a final note, waterproof rating is ideal but perhaps overrated. We generally test electrical circuits inside the cabin, and when we do use the multimeter out on deck, it is usually in settled conditions, most likely at anchor. Whichever multimeter you select, make sure it is drop resistant and at least water resistant, if not fully waterproof.
Circumnavigator-author Bill Morris is the author of Sun, Wind, & Water: The Essential Guide to the Energy-Efficient Cruising Boat and is a frequent contributor to Ocean Navigator.
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Boat Battery-Monitor Gauges Compared
By Randy Vance
March 14, 2022
In today’s boats, electric power rivals the importance of engine horsepower. Even the electronic control unit on today’s marine engines—that brain that makes outboards and inboards do what we want them to do—requires substantial amperage to keep the engine running smoothly.
The power can be supplied by an engine alternator once it is running, but that’s a big train to pull when you add a multitude of DC electrical systems, such as navigation screens, radar, VHF, audio amps, a windlass, multiple sonars, livewell pumps, jack plates, shallow-water anchors, electric trolling motors and more.
A simple voltmeter works for some DC systems. Anything above 12.5 volts is considered good to go, but at 12.1, you might be stuck on the sandbar. So, we’ve tested a few more sophisticated battery–monitor gauges that also measure current draw in amps, along with other parameters, and report that info in real time to help you manage power and its use. Some of these devices can be programmed with a battery’s amp capacity and keep track of capacity used and remaining.
To make matters more complex, boats often carry two or more battery types on board. Starting batteries might be lead acid (including flooded cell, gel or AGM), and now many boaters use lithium batteries for house banks and trolling motors. Matching the monitoring device to the battery bank is important.
Veratron Intelligent Battery Monitor Kit
$229.99; amazon.com
The Veratron VL Flex gauge fits a 2 1 / 8 -inch hole and comes with a push button to toggle through pages on the gauge. Once installed, it will measure voltage available, amperage draw, battery capacity as a percentage of total capacity, and amperage in during charging. The main voltage screen illuminates in green to the degree of charge, e.g., half green for 50 percent remaining capacity.
In the Box: The kit comes with a gauge, a locking collar, a 19.6-foot wiring umbilical cord with pre-installed connectors for the gauge, button, battery system and other VDO gauges, and a sensor shunt that clamps to the negative battery terminal to measure amperage in and out. Separate IBM kits are available for 12- and 24-volt onboard DC systems.
Installation: It was a complicated installation; however, the instructions were clear and easy to follow. With a few missteps, the gauge took about 40 minutes to connect and make operational. With one practice run—we recommend doing it on a bench—the actual install time could be minimized, with the exception of drilling the gauge and toggle-button holes, and pulling the wires. For a step-by-step explanation of this installation, see our article “ Installing a Battery Monitoring System ”.
What We Saw: Once connected, the gauge displayed voltage on our 12-volt bank. It was near 12 volts and registered a large fraction of full. We connected an LED strip light to the system and toggled the gauge to display amperage flow, and read the flow to be about 1 amp, as expected for the light. We connected a charger to the battery, and the red arrow pointing upward to depict outflow changed to the green inflow arrow pointing downward and registered 8 amps—normal for our charger. Veratron’s VL Flex Marine app is designed to calibrate all Veratron gauges via Bluetooth. The connection and setup are easy by following the prompts in the app.
Our Take: Despite the complexity, this system was the easiest to wire, thanks to outstanding directions and pre-wired connector plugs minimizing individual wire connections. It is also the clearest to read, thanks to its bright color digital display. The ability to set battery types to AGM, gel or flooded cell (not recommended for lithium types) coupled with the accurate measurement of amp flow made it useful to show constant voltage flow, preventing exhaustion. For fishing boats monitoring lithium trolling-motor banks or cruisers, special equipment is required. The external toggle button requires a second dash penetration.
One surprise: Most of the terminal connectors were not watertight.
Xantrex Link Pro
$263.53; amazon.com
This device fits in a 2 1 / 16 -inch hole and has a threaded plastic locking collar. The meter display takes up half the gauge’s face, and built-in toggle buttons switch functions and calibrate the gauge to the battery’s capacity, type and voltage. The gauge’s memory records battery events, such as high or low voltage, and a low-voltage alarm can be configured to protect against stranding. The Xantrex Link Pro has an Ethernet cable port for connecting the device to Xantrex chargers and inverters. It is designed for flooded-cell, gel and AGM batteries.
In the Box: The gauge, locking collar, 25-foot cable and sensor shunt are all included in the box, with directions for wiring either a 12- or 24-volt system. Power lines are fused, and fuses are included.
Installation: Connections on the Xantrex charger are analog, and its 25-plus-foot-long connection cable had six color-coded wires inside. Each colored wire had to be inserted into the connector bar on the back of the gauge and, following the color chart provided, connected to the shunt. Battery connections to the shunt were also easy following the color-coded wiring diagram.
What We Saw: The monochrome LCD gauge was simple, but fonts were bold. It is backlit for dim light. We could toggle through the voltage of the battery bank, amperage used, amperage remaining and, if the batteries were charging, the net inflow in amps. The latter setting would tell how much amperage was applied to charge the batteries. When a load was connected, it registered the outflow of amps. The gauge readings weren’t as attractive as on the Veratron gauge, but the LCD readout was clearly visible in sun or shade.
Our Take: Only half the Xantrex gauge is an LCD readout, and the lower half has toggle switches to shift between readouts for amps, volts and charge status. The smaller gauge face is a trade-off for having an integrated switching system, which is not available on the Veratron due to its external toggle assembly. As with the Veratron gauge, we were surprised the connections were not moisture-protected. We think it would be at home on either a sportboat or cruiser to register both draw and charge levels. Directions took some sorting through, but wiring was simple when we found the correct voltage configuration, although tedious due to the individual wire connections.
Drok 0-90V DC Ammeter (200485)
$30; amazon.com
This color LCD gauge offers toggle buttons built onto its face. Highly detailed, the gauge displays amps in or out depending on charge or use status. Voltage is also monitored. The screen’s color readout is clear but tiny. Its 3-inch-by-1 9 / 16 -inch dimensions make it compact for flexible mounting options. It is the only one we tested that is designed and programmed for lithium batteries as well as flooded-cell, gel and AGM batteries.
In the Box: It comes with a gauge, one 7-inch-long wiring harness, a 20-inch-long harness, power and ground cables, and a shunt with sensor. Instructions were also included in multiple languages.
Installation: The wiring bus is plug-and-play using either the 7-inch or 20-inch cable supplied. Wiring the sensor and shunt into the battery bank is uncomplicated and easy to do following the included directions. A rectangular gauge hole must be cut with a jig saw, not a hole saw.
What We Saw: The device measured the minute amp draw of the LED light. The readout is bright enough to read in sunlight. Toggle switches on the gauge’s face allow scrolling between voltage, amps and other settings.
Our Take: Basically a plug-and-play device, an ammeter or voltmeter is easy to connect and proved capable of reading the low discharge level of an LED light. However, the supplied cables mean the gauge must be mounted within 7 or 20 inches of the battery banks. The system works well and easily, and can be used to monitor all battery types including lithium up to 80 volts, reporting current voltage, amperage out or in (when charging), and amps used and remaining. Without any waterproofing, the gauge would be better mounted belowdecks. It’s ideal for a cruiser or houseboater.
Discover Battery Lithium Blue Battery Monitor App
Free; discoverbattery.com
Lithium Blue batteries are a bank of smaller cells, each combined to create the voltage and amp-hours capacity on the specifications label on the casing. All lithium batteries can be volatile if not discharged or recharged at a safe rate. So, each Lithium Blue battery is equipped with a microprocessor that monitors battery temperature, rate of charge or discharge, voltage stored in each cell of the battery, and the overall condition of the battery. Lithium batteries put out the full rated voltage for the entire cycle, unlike lead-acid batteries, which lose voltage faster and put out less amps as they discharge. Lithium’s technology has unique characteristics that present an unusual challenge for battery-measuring devices. So, Discover Battery installed a Bluetooth transmitter in each battery with the capability of reporting all battery stats.
In the Box: Download the Lithium Blue app at Google Play or iTunes. It will search for active batteries and connect to them.
What We Saw: If Lithium Blue batteries are active (and not asleep for nonuse or low charge), the app will find their Bluetooth signal and connect. Inactive batteries need to be awakened with an active charger, which shoots low voltage to the battery, awakening the microprocessor. Once done, the app found the batteries and listed them with their serial numbers. Tap to connect and read the charge status, voltage, amp capacity and battery temperature. Each battery has a two-page report: One reports the top-line stats, including voltage, amps and battery temperature; the other page offers a detailed battery report on each cell in the battery and a warranty registration portal.
Our Take : The Lithium Blue app not only reports the total voltage, amp capacity and amps remaining in the battery, but it also reports the same for each cell in the battery. This gives not only the most precise readout of each battery’s charge status but also the health of each individual cell. While a typical ammeter or voltmeter might not immediately register the failure of the dozens of cells in a lithium battery, the Lithium Blue microprocessor and app team up to do so. Lithium batteries are ideal for house battery banks, trolling motors and electric propulsion systems. They are not recommended for starting batteries.
Quick Charge Dual 3.0 USB Charger Voltmeter
$13; amazon.com
One dual USB port charger device fits the hole size of a cigarette-lighter port. It reads out battery voltage while charging two USB devices at 3 amps each. A water-resistant cap fits over the charge ports when not in use, and a small display window allows voltage readings to show through.
In the Box: It comes with a charger/voltmeter plug with a locking ring and attached water-resistant cap. Red and black wiring comes with a fuse holder and fuse.
Installation: Installing it couldn’t be easier. We crimped terminal rings on the cable ends and hooked them to power (red) and ground (black) wires. The mounting hole is easily drilled, and a locking collar holds it in place.
What We Saw: This simple gauge could be connected in companion with a 12-volt power receptacle or in place of one. The voltage readout in a blue LED was legible in daylight or in the dark. USB charge ports are separated by the battery voltage readout, making them easier to pull or insert.
Our Take: In more-involved battery systems, those powering multiple engines and a vast array of navigation electronics and house devices, simply monitoring voltage is insufficient for safe operation out of port. But for a runabout with one or two batteries and an audio system to power, voltage monitoring is adequate if you make sure to charge the starting battery before it dips below 12 volts.
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27-01-2023, 09:13
in before he across the Pacific and so I put this together to help with that . So long as I did this, though, I figured I would share. As always, I can't solve a problem I don't know about, so please do let me know if you spot any errors/omissions/sarcasm.
=== BLUF/TL;DR ===
* If your price-point allows it, go get yourself a Fluke 87V max or a Keysight 1282A ($500-$800)
* If you want something cheaper, get yourself an Extech 505 (and evaluate it at a lab-bench before you leave) or a BK Precision 2709B and a waterproof bag for it. ($100-$110)
* Make sure you have spare HRC (yes the HRC part is important) and spare (lithium for the shelf-life) and leave those in the bag with your DMM.
* Fluke also makes a nice set of silicone leads for $30 that I think make the experience of using it much nicer.
=== Things I think are important ===
* Measurement Confidence: As an EXAMPLE, some meters will start giving you false readings when the are low. If you're fixing your in the middle of the Pacific, do you really want to be asking whether the is low, or whether the meter is out of spec, or ...? I think it's important to have a piece of measurement that you actually trust.
* Survivability: There are a number of "waterproof" and a few actually-waterproof DMMs on the market.
* Manufacturing Quality: As a sortof sub-category of Measurement Confidence, how confident are you not just that the line of DMMs is good, but your specific DMM is good?
* Does it Explode: If you accidentally put it in a low-impedance input measurement mode on a 470V AC signal (like the start-caps of your air conditioner), will it break the DMM? Will it blow up in your hands? Will it short internally and cause the leads to melt on your hands?
* Functionality: This one almost doesn't matter. You're probably not going to care about things like burden voltage for measuring microamps of , and just about any multimeter these days will have sufficient functionality for fixing up a at sea. If you're bringing up a new part and/or writing a driver for a snazzy new pressure/temperature IC, then you probably do care about things like micro-amps of so you can infer device state from current-draw...but please tell me you don't plan to do that on your next ...or do because you're crazy, but you're my kind of crazy :-)
=== Source ===
My primary source of information is Dave's Blog (EEVBlog). I've seen his videos used as for new-hires in the space industry even. I find his credible and he has not let me down yet. So shout-out to you, Dave, and please feel free to point out everything I'm saying that's incorrect, incomplete, or misleading.
* DMM Overview and Intro:
27-01-2023, 09:24
. This is really helpful. Don't leave home without it
A capacitance measuring function. This is vital when you are troubleshooting AC motors.
27-01-2023, 09:39
Boat: Bristol 27
techs like those
27-01-2023, 09:44
. This is really helpful. Don't leave home without it
A capacitance measuring function. This is vital when you are troubleshooting AC motors.
27-01-2023, 09:45
techs like those
27-01-2023, 09:49
Boat: 2000 Catalina 470 #058
? Hmmmm
27-01-2023, 10:43
Boat: Bristol 27
for a while before realizing that the battery was low and I was getting a false reading.
27-01-2023, 10:54
Boat: Morgan 382
points, including a Fluke. And I use/need that quality and precision at work.
The answer to what to get really depends on the experience of the owner, and what they will be able to do themselves vs. calling someone for help. For 90% of , a $50 meter is fine. I probably wouldn't recommend the $10 meter, though that has worked for many boaters, and I have made a lot of when that is all that was available. They break easy, and are not terribly accurate, but accuracy within 500mV is enough for 90% of .
I don't believe there is ANYTHING on a boat the requires more than a $100 ish meter, and certainly nothing that requires a checkout/calibration on a lab bench. And most certainly, nothing that 90% of boaters will have any clue how to fix require that accuracy.
For the 10% of boaters that would need more than a $50 meter, they should already know what they need.
27-01-2023, 10:56
, cyber etc
And if it is hardware it's usually a circuit card that we will just replace and you rarely use meters to troubleshoot those type problems.
And these you can get for $174
27-01-2023, 11:16
points, including a Fluke. And I use/need that quality and precision at work.
The answer to what to get really depends on the experience of the owner, and what they will be able to do themselves vs. calling someone for help. For 90% of , a $50 meter is fine. I probably wouldn't recommend the $10 meter, though that has worked for many boaters, and I have made a lot of repairs when that is all that was available. They break easy, and are not terribly accurate, but accuracy within 500mV is enough for 90% of repairs.
I don't believe there is ANYTHING on a boat the requires more than a $100 ish meter, and certainly nothing that requires a checkout/calibration on a lab bench. And most certainly, nothing that 90% of boaters will have any clue how to fix require that accuracy.
For the 10% of boaters that would need more than a $50 meter, they should already know what they need.
27-01-2023, 11:26
Boat: Bristol 27
. It got mine at a time when I needed it quickly, and so I didn't have any time for waiting for a good deal, or a slow shipper or, or ... but yeah, lotta good stuff there.
27-01-2023, 12:07
Boat: Lagoon 380
27-01-2023, 13:14
(like for $30 instead of $70), and they're great to have. All told, I have may have 5 to 7 meters kicking around... one wherever I might want one (car, boat, workbench, knapsack, etc). I do compare them, and maintain them - contact , good leads, etc. My cheap meters have worked ok for up to 30+ years.
? Don't buy the cheapest meter; look for good deals on the middle of the pack. Treat yourself to a better meter if it's going to be critical. -
27-01-2023, 14:07
Boat: Bristol 27
, MPPT’s , dc to dc convertors, chargers and inverters are not power supplies? Just started a multi month and without my dc clampon ammeter etc i’d be in the dark. [emoji106]
ps: i use the 260 or the Triplett equivalent inside rf chambers. The high priced Fluke and their junk imitators go wild with rf. Put ur fluke near a portable or uhf in Tx mode. [emoji43]
In the last week, i found an open connector, bad port , and determined shading affects with a meter.
27-01-2023, 14:13
Boat: Morgan 382
at high current or find diodes in battery isolators or ...) is the *implication* that device is unimportant (your opinion on this matter is ambiguous so happy to extend benefit of doubt here). It seems like the price-point alone is unlikely to be sufficient for a DMM. Do you have any specific recommendations in the $50 range? As I mentioned, the set of things I evaluated was pretty constrained to begin with.
There's a reason I emphasized that the feature-set is almost unimportant because any meter with decent build quality is going to be as featureful and possessing of sufficient nominal precision/accuracy for anything I can envision going down.
I also disagree (maybe...my guess is that you actually agree with me on this point) about the experience of the user. I would actually argue that it is MORE important to get a reliable meter if the user is less experienced. If I'm on the phone with my buddy in Japan helping him fix his system, I would prefer to take as many things out of the equation as possible.
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How to use a Multimeter
Thread starter seabob4
Start date May 19, 2010
Lieutenant Commander
May 19, 2010
Re: How to use a Multimeter Great post!! wish there were more post like yours, easy to understand.
Chief Petty Officer
Re: How to use a Multimeter Great post, deffinately usable, glad you didn't use an autoranger, what a pain in the rear.
Petty Officer 1st Class
May 20, 2010
Re: How to use a Multimeter Very good post! May I add something to the 120-volt AC measurement? When using probes to measure 120-volt AC circuits, keep one hand in your pocket! This minimizes the chance that you'll accidentally complete a circuit.
Petty Officer 3rd Class
Re: How to use a Multimeter thanks, great post! I did a search on "Multimeters", and prices range from $10, to over $200. Obviously there is a lot I still don't know about these things. I did a search for the very model in your post, and couldn't find one, likely an older model that is out of production. For checking circuits on my old boat, what price range would be reasonable?
Re: How to use a Multimeter My company provided me with a Fluke auto-ranger and I also have an Ideal dial style that is similar to the one in the pictures above. I rarely use the Fluke 200+$. The Ideal can be picked up at Home Depot for around $80 and the tolerances are similar to the Fluke. The Ideal is a lower range priced meter and a meter that has lasted me over 5 years with no problems. The bottom line, I would recommend for occasional use a meter that is inexpensive as possible. If you have the money, look at the Ideals. Just make sure the one you choose has a sounder for continuity, this makes everything a lot easier when troubleshooting.
Fleet Admiral
Re: How to use a Multimeter Wallymart has an autoranging digital for about $25 in the automotive aisle. No fused ammeter input, but otherwise has full functionality. Also doesn't withstand being dropped as many times as the Craftsman meter I bought on ebay. Otherwise I found it fully serviceable (until I dropped it that last time).
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Re: How to use a Multimeter Harbor Freight - $3.00 on sale. This meter does not have a continuity beeper, but you cannot beat the price. As an electrical enginee, I have a couple of good meters, but I still bought 2 for spares in the boat and in the car. The biggest difference between the expensive meters and the cheapest are accuracy, features (scales) and robustness (how well it will tolerate abuse). For $3, you won't get a lot of robustness, but you will still mostly be OK (in my opinion). TerryMSU
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liveaboard marina in St. Petersburg
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Does anyone have any comments or recommendations on marinas in the St, Petersburg, Fla area. Will be there for three months starting in mid-Dec. Thanks
P, you have three basic choices. You can berth somewhere along the FL West Coast ICW (Clearwater has the largest gaggle of boats and docks), where access to the Gulf is quick and the ''feel'' of the place is one long stretch of condos and strip malls. Or you can look for a berth on the east side of Tampa Bay - bucolic, shallow and distant from most of life except some friendly fellow boaters. The third option is to berth in downtown St. Pete, where free downtown bus service ties in even the more distant marina, concerts in the parks are a norm, a variety of events are held each month, and multiple museums are within walking distance. Assuming you''ll be interested in the 3rd option, you can seek a berth at the Harborage (next to the Salvidor Dali Museum but 1-2+ miles from the downtown area I described), which is somewhat upscale with floating docks and a pool, you can request a visitor''s berth at the large, multi-basin Municipal Marina (literally at the front door of all the action; www.stpete.org), or you can request a berth at the Vinoy Hotel''s docks (very, very upscale; please deliver my drink to the sauna...). St. Pete''s Muni Marina is basic, not many amenities beyond the showers, TV room and such, but has good security and an outstanding location. They have a long waiting list but do accommodate visitors at the North Basin...and for your length of stay, you probably can seek a South Basin berth once you arrive, if that''s important to you. (Call 800 782-8350 to reach them). St. Pete is one of those best-kept secrets as a cruising destination. Jack
I agree with Jack. St. Pete. is a great place to hole up for a while. There are also a few more marinas that are not located near downtown. Tierra Verde, Gulfport, Maderia Beach Municp. just to name a few. Tierra Verde, close to main beach''s semi$$ Gulfport, nice quiet and semi inexpensive. Maderia Beach, very close to gulf beach, where most of the fishing charter boats are. And also Maximo(part of the Harborage)On the south side of town. All have good protection and are close to various shops. Dave R. St. Pete.
I''m not sure you could get in to the Municipal marina for that long without going on the waiting list (well over a year to get a slip). The Harborage has lots of space since they doubled their rates three years ago and half the boats have left. The Harborage is a healthy walk to downtown St Pete.
St. Pete''s municipal marina has room for transients at all times of the year (assuming arrival early enough on a given day) and longer term transients are sometimes berthed at the South Basin, in addition to the visitors'' docks in the North Basin. The Harborage is on the south side of the USF campus and some distance from downtwon St. Pete (1-2 miles, depending one where one is heading) but there is free bus service daily to/from that location to all of the downtown locations. Jack
In St. Pete, my recommendation is the Harborage, hands down. My son lived on my boat in that marina for the better part of a year and thought it was great. Facilities are excellent, the people who run the place are as friendly as can be. Also, access to downtown is easy. So far as I know, there was no waiting list while we were there. My boat would still be there if St. Pete were not so far from my home and work. Hope this helps. Dave... S/V Tacit Knowledge, Lake Lanier
Just to clarify, the Harborage is limited to a few liveaboard slips if the boat is on annual contract. There is no restriction on boat crews living aboard should the boat be registered at the daily/weekly ''visitor'' rate, which is also true of the other marinas. Facilities are indeed at least one notch above the Municipal Marina as the Harborage offers floating docks (tho'' the tidal range is only 2-3''). But they charge accordingly. There are also some amenities (pool, cabana/deli). However, the Harborage is not close to downtown unless the free bus is used and the downtown area offers a range of ''amenities'', even including a huge Olympic pool, numerous museums and numerous parks. By contrast, the Harborage and next door neighbor, the Dali Museum, are somewhat remote from the downtown scene. In general, there are usually no ''visitor berthing'' waiting lists at any of the 3 marinas in the downtown area. But the costs will cover quite a spread: Vinoy, Harborage, Muncipal in descending order. Jack
Thanks to everyone for the advice. We found a slip at The Harborage for a reasonable rate. As mentioned, the Municipal Marina had a long waiting list plus they just increased their prices Jan. 1st. We''ll have a car while we are there so getting around won''t be a problem. Thanks again. Pierre
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Dear Readers
Marine Electronics
Best Battery Monitor Test Update
Balmars intelligent smartgauge makes installation a breeze.
Back in our October 2016 issue we looked at eight battery monitors and compared features, installation needs and overall usability. Unfortunately, we overlooked the Smartgauge made by Balmar. Thanks to our readers input we got our hands on one of these recently and ran it through the same test regimen we applied to the other eight monitors.
A brief recap of where we stand: For this report, Practical Sailor studied and compared monitoring systems from five different suppliers: Blue Sea Systems, CruzPro, Scad Technologies, Victron Energy, and Xantrex. The range was broad. At the low end was a simple, red warning-light voltage monitor from Scad that automatically shuts down heavy electrical loads or turns on a generator before the battery goes dead. At the high end was very sophisticated monitor from Victron that can work well with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery technologies.
Of all our test units, the Victron monitors were the only ones to even mention lithium iron technology and make a recommendation for adjusting the units profiling to fit lithium technology and discharge/recharge regimens. From what we could determine, the other vendors have not really tested their products with lithium ion battery chemistry in mind.
Its important for readers to understand the limitations of any battery monitoring system. These devices are quite good at monitoring amperage and voltage and keeping track of these values down to 0.1 volts in either case. But when it comes to determining state of charge or hours of use remaining, there are many factors that can introduce some margin of error. This is something our testers had to take into account as well when they established a protocol. (See accompanying How We Tested on right for details on the testing.)
Battery chemistry and internal construction, age, temperature, and rate of discharge and recharge efficiency all play into the degree of accuracy we can expect from a battery monitor. Several of the vendors in our group have given these matters considerable attention and make recommendations to periodically synchronize or calibrate the monitor with the batteries being monitored. Victron, for example, offers an optional temperature sender to provide that data input to their monitors. Some of the vendors did not offer any guidance for calibration, presumably because calibration is limited, if at all possible.
Why does temperature matter? Monitoring battery temperature and building that data into a micro-processor that is sending out a voltage reading is useful for those seeking extreme accuracy. There is a direct correlation between temperature, current (amperage), and voltage. As batteries heat and cool due to both ambient temperature variations and electro-chemical reactions in each cell of the battery, their internal electrical resistances also vary. We know from Ohms Law that as resistance changes (mathematically) both voltage and current will change. In the case of battery monitors that essentially present a voltage reading, monitoring temperature in real time can more accurately depict voltage, and therefore, state of charge.
Why is calibration so important? As your batteries age, a re-adjustment of the charging parameters is really quite necessary in order to maximize the accuracy of your monitor. What is interesting about the Balmar Smartgauge is that it relies on smart algorithms that don’t require either a temperature gauge or operator calibration to be accurate.
Installation
Without a doubt, the Balmar unit is the simplest of all the units we have tested when it comes to installation. Since there is no shunt required for amperage measurements with the Balmar Smartgauge an entire step in the installation process is eliminated.
This unit gathers all its data directly from sensor wires connected to the positive and negative terminals of the batteries it is monitoring. That said, if the electrical connections are easier, the trickier part is the setup. Compared to some of the other monitors, you have to pay closer attention to the initial calibration that is required to ensure the monitors accuracy. Multiple battery installation wiring configuration is critical as well.
For example, battery banks must share a common ground point and cannot share a common positive connection. The meters positive and negative sense wires must be connected directly to the posts on the batteries being monitored, not remote buss bars or terminals. Doing so will impact the meters accuracy.
Also, the monitor has dedicated terminals for connection of the engine starter battery and house battery bank. This is important because the monitor gives different readings for each bank. The starting battery will simply provide a voltage reading, the house bank simply gives a state of charge (SOC) reading. Further, proper selection of battery type is critical to the accuracy of the monitor.
Balmar provides six choices and emphasizes two types of AGM technology with differing charging voltage parameters, so again, making the correct choice here is important. Also, its important for the user to realize that it will typically take two or three complete charge-discharge cycles for the monitor to learn your house battery characteristics. Balmar claims that over time the monitors accuracy will actually improve; quite the opposite over some of the other monitors we compared in October.
Notably missing in the sensing area is temperature monitoring, or at least there is no mention of it in the provided operation manual. We find this a bit odd because conventional wisdom suggests that temperature monitoring is quite important to achieving maximum accuracy. Also, no mention of Lithium battery technology is made in the monitors owners manual.
Further calibration is available for high and low voltage alarm settings, display brightness and other behaviors such as how long data is displayed before re-activation is required.
Observations
To test the Balmar Smartgauge we used the same test set-up we had in October when we tested the other eight monitors (see How We Tested on right). After running through four timed cycles bringing the battery down to what we calculated as approximately an 80 percent state of charge we compared our calculated values to the Balmar Smartgauge readings.
We found the state of charge readings to be accurate within a five percent margin of error. The variation could be due to the condition of the test battery, which is now ten months old and has gone though several discharge cycles.
In addition, because of the design of the Balmar unit, which does not use a shunt and does not actually count amp hours used, we expected a difference here. We suspect that the 5 percent disparity between our calculations and the actual state of charge and voltage readings is due to the inherent inaccuracy of our state-of-charge calculations.
Tenths of a volt count heavily in this case. Based on averages, there is only about a 0.7 to 0.9 volt delta between a fully-charged (100 percent) battery and completely discharged battery. Our hunch is that the Balmar Smartgauge was providing the more accurate reading of actual state of charge in this case. We know from experience that if you try to precisely measure battery voltage using five digital multimeters, the odds are slim that all five meters will reading exactly the same.
This Balmar unit certainly wins the war when it comes to actual installation ease. That part is really quite simple. The owners manual is clearly written but we must emphasize that following the calibration and pre-programming instructions to the letter is of paramount importance to ensure maximum accuracy of the data outputs. Based on the premise that this units accuracy will actually improve as it learns the habits of the specific battery it is connected to, we believe that the Balmar unit is a great choice for the cruiser who really needs to know how much battery power they have left to work with.
Monitoring Monitors
Three products stood out in the battery monitor test: the Victron 700 and 702, thanks to their very precise calibration and two-bank capability, and the easy-to-install Xantrex LinkPro, and the self-calibrating Smartgauge from Balmar.
Blue Sea Systems
Scad Technologie
www.scadtech.com
Victron Energy
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Ultimate YachtLife Charters is a premier boat rental and yacht charter experience in the Tampa Bay Area.
Welcome aboard! We offer many luxury charters, including birthday yacht parties, yacht weddings, as well as accommodations to suit your needs. Equipped to provide the smoothest cruising, undisturbed vacation, and breathtaking sunsets from St. Petersburg, our charters are uniquely crafted for all of our guests.
The Ultimate Vessels
Our 70 and 80 foot yachts offer the freedom and privacy you need to enjoy your next adventure or getaway. Defined by highly detailed, hand-crafted furniture and upholstery, her interior finishes play with texture and light. Princess yachts have long been recognized as some of the finest-quality luxury yachts in the world, due to their fine craftsmanship, custom design, woodwork, reliability, and safety.
Indulge Your Desires Within Our Lavish Accommodations
With three levels of entertainment, you can bask in the sun from our spacious bow, entertain in privacy in our luxurious cabin with aft deck, or enjoy fresh air and a commanding view from the flybridge. Sleeping accommodations are available within our 4 staterooms for up to 8 guests with 3 bathrooms and an abundance of storage for your belongings.
Become immersed by the comfort and premium accommodations of the only Princess Yacht in the Bay Area for your next boat rental or yacht charter adventure with us.
Your Next Adventure Awaits
From peaceful sunset cruises with your loved ones, to the ultimate dance party for your next birthday, we offer various charters to accommodate your needs. First-time boaters or yacht enthusiasts are welcome!
We offer boat rentals to guests In Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Sarasota, and Surrounding Areas
We have entertained guests who are Bay Area natives, as well as visitors from international waters who wish to embark on their next journey with the utmost class. No request is too large! Customer service is our #1 priority. When you book your next luxury boat rental with us – either online or by phone – you can rest assured that your stay with us will meet the highest standard of care and professionalism.
Ultimate YachtLife Charters takes great pride in being a locally-owned yacht charter company in the Tampa Bay Area. We are eager to partner with local businesses and vendors who wish to elevate the experience of our guests by creating an exceptional itinerary of custom events! Book your next St. Pete boat rental service or yacht charter with us and create new memories in absolute luxury.
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Captained and Bareboat Yacht Charter St Petersburg FL
The wildlife and nightlife of florida’s gulf coast.
Waypoints Florida offers elevated charter experiences in St. Petersburg, FL aboard new model yachts outfitted for comfort and performance. From our charter specialists to our captains, we know the best marinas, local hotspots, and more to help you maximize your cruise on the Tampa Bay.
During your charter vacation, you will enjoy beautiful seaside towns, secluded anchorages and fine marinas, white sandy beaches, sparkling blue waters, gentle winds, dolphins, and an array of wildlife. Bring your camera to capture the unforgettable Skyway Bridge and the multitude of seabirds, including ospreys, herons, egrets, and pelicans.
This Waypoints base also offers sunset cruises and corporate team building events.
Charter St. Petersburg with Waypoints ® to Experience:
Daily, Weekend, and Week-Long Charters
Skippered, Bareboat, and ASA Certification Charters
New Luxuriously Appointed Sailing and Motor Catamarans and Monohulls
Yachts Equipped with Air-Conditioning and Ice Makers*
Provisioning and Personal Concierge Services
An Insider’s Viewpoint
“This is our second charter with Waypoints and we could not be more satisfied. Availability and pricing were clear, communication was prompt, and the staff was knowledgeable and nice. The Vinoy Marina is very convenient to a couple of airports so the crew had no problem coming in from all over the country. We think Waypoints is the best charter company available and already have another trip booked for January in St. Thomas!” Jim K.
“The entire team from the Waypoint dock manager, office staff, and dock hands as well as mechanics went above and beyond to make us have a great experience. Sailing Sereia changed me… it was such an incredible trip . With tears in my eyes, I left the boat and I have been counting the days until I can go back and sail her again. We loved all the crew we came in contact with – thank you again!” Constance M.
“We had a great experience with Waypoints Florida Yacht Charters! We spent four days in Florida on Leap of Faith and had a great time. It was our first sailing adventure. We explored Tampa Bay, Anna Maria, Egmont, Bradenton and Palma Sola. It was a great escape! “ Mark L.
Contact a Florida Charter Specialist Today
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Trip duration, multiple days (less than 1 week), weekly trip show boats that have weekly prices. most weekly boats outside of the us are available only saturday to saturday., boat length: 5ft -, manufacturer, boat build year: -, weekly trip, price: $ - $, 4 sailboat rentals in st petersburg: sailing charters.
In addition to the best offers we have for boat and yacht charters in St. Petersburg, FL, see also options available for rent in these nearby locations:
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Rent a Sailboat in St Petersburg, Florida with Sailo!
Looking for a sailboat rental in Florida? A sailing trip in St Petersburg is always a great way to experience Florida! Choose your perfect sailing charter in St Pete with Sailo and set a course for adventure! When you rent a boat in St. Petersburg, you can choose your own itinerary and explore at your leisure. Want to relax on deck? Prefer to do some fishing? Or maybe you just want to escape the crowds? Find your ideal yacht rental in St. Petersburg with Sailo.
Our premium inventory of St. Petersburg, FL private sailboat charters
St. Petersburg, FL is a well-known boating destination in the US, perfect for a memorable experience on a Sailo boat. The sailboat rentals are popular for both locals and tourists and a great choice if you want to spend some quality time with your family or friends. 46 charters are currently available with or without captain, lined up in the St. Petersburg’s marinas, waiting for their guests. Rent a private sailboat in St. Petersburg with Sailo: it’s easy, quick, secured and the best choice for a fun experience in the waters of Florida.
How to find a sailboat charter in St Pete?
Sailo has the most advanced filters to help you find the perfect sailboat rental in St Pete for an amazing experience on the water of Florida. Start your search by choosing your start trip date, duration and number of guests. For a great day trip with your family or friends, you have the option to select 2, 4 hours or full day rentals. Depending on your preferences and budget, you may narrow your results by boat type and price range. The 'crew' filter allows you to check the boat rentals with the captain included in the price, skipper optional (paid as extra) or bareboats that you’ll captain yourself (boating resume required). Once you have laid your eyes on a boat you like in Florida, click on it to read the description, reviews and see more pics. We also recommend using our direct 'Message Owner' feature that allows you to start a conversation with the boat representative to ask away everything you want to know before you submit a booking request.
How much does it cost to charter a sailboat in St Pete for a day?
Whether you are looking to rent a sailboat in St Pete for a city sightseeing tour, a romantic sunset cruise or an active day on the water with your family or friends, we're confident you’ll find the best one for you on Sailo. The average starting price to charter a yacht in St. Petersburg is $1100. You can however find excellent affordable rentals from $250 and also elegant yacht charters that can go up to $6500 (service fee and mandatory extras not included).
Essential safety tips for recreational boating
Whether you’re renting a boat with captain or you choose a bareboat, always keep in mind this basic safety guidelines:
if you rent a captained charter, always pay close attention to your captain
walk slowly and never run onboard as you can easily slip and fall overboard
be mindful of stairs and hatches (never step on them)
if you go swimming, floating or paddling, stay away from other boats even if they are anchored or moored
pay attention to the other group members and make sure that everybody is accounted for at all times
Guidelines to responsible yachting
If you’re looking to explore our beautiful planet, a yacht charter is a great place to start. Explore coral reefs with your snorkel, discover hidden bays and islands and generally enjoy the view of nature. Remember, that sailing motto: 'Take only photos, leave only wake' (OK, so we paraphrased). To be a responsible sailor, remember:
Don’t disturb coral or sealife
Take your trash home (and don’t throw anything in the sea)
Respect the locals and their customs wherever you go
In this article and video, we cover multimeter basics for boaters. A
How To Use A Digital Multimeter
Best Multimeter for Work on Ship- Fluke 101 Digital Multimeter
6" Black and Stainless Standard Sailboat Deck Multimeter Gauge
Best Multimeter for Work on Ship- Fluke 101 Digital Multimeter 6
VIDEO
THE WORLD'S FASTEST BOATS!
Is This the Best Sailboat to Live Aboard? 43' Shucker Motor Sailor (Full Tour)
Marine 101, Ep. 21
Best sailboat for kids? The WindRider 10 Trimaran
Boat hull measurement with the Absolute Scanner
Sailing Vlog 7 Fuel Shut Off Solenoid
COMMENTS
Digital Multimeters
Learn how to choose a high-quality, no-compromise digital multimeter for your boat's electrical system. Compare features, pros and cons of different models and brands, and see examples of marine applications.
Hands-On Sailor: How to Use a Multimeter
Use it to evaluate a diode or your galvanic isolator-equipped shore-power system. F: At this setting, the multimeter measures DC current in milliamps, useful in determining how much current is being drawn by, say, a light, fan, or motor. G: At this setting, the multimeter measures AC amperage of power from shore, a generator, or an inverter.
Recommendations for a good digital multimeter?
Hello, I am considering buying a digital multimeter for use on my boat. I'm not exactly electrically inclined (so I'm reading Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics Simplified", which is great), but I am learning. Does anyone have any recommendations for a particular brand/model of digital...
Solve Electrical Problems with a Multimeter
Tutorials about electrical systems and multimeters often involve theoretical analogies to flowing water. In these primers, the authors test well-designed, functioning circuits, and everything behaves exactly as anticipated. ... extending the line that began with the 460 and 510 (both SAIL Top 10 Best Boats winners in 2023 and 2024, respectively ...
Best Multimeter
I have top-of-the line Fluke meters (Fluke 189 and Fluke 337), but the Mastech meters at about half the price of the Flukes would probably be good values for medium-duty service. For really cheap multimeters, I prefer the Velleman....can be had for under $20. Handsome, rugged, functional.
Best Multimeter for Your Application
The Klein MM400 is a great midgrade multimeter with a ton of flexibility and features for the price. Not only is it durable, it is also safety rated up to 600V and comes with even more features than the MM300 listed above. Check out the lists bellow to see these features. Price: ~$50.
Dependable multimeters
The Sperry DM8700 Techmaster digital multimeter is a rugged, professional electrical tester capable of reading current up to 20 amps AC/DC. A 20-amp, 600-volt fuse protects the device from virtually any electrical surge to be encountered on a sailing vessel. The unit is water resistant (not fully waterproof) and drop-proof to 10 feet.
Boat Electrical: Buy the Right Multimeter
link to the Electoral series:ELECTRICITY ON BOATS - Clark's Full Masterclass: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsT7_jPsZM5ogT6or244F49-Gy7pYFV7VHave qu...
How to Use a Multimeter
With a properly working system, you should see voltage on your multimeter between hot and neutral, or between hot and ground, but not between neutral and ground. If the boat is 240 volt, then you should see 240 by touching the probes to the red and black hot conductors. Better multimeters will utilize true rms (root mean square).
Marine 101, Ep. 21
It's essential to keep a reliable multimeter aboard your sailboat at all times. Having a good multimeter will be you troubleshoot if any problems occur in yo...
Boat Battery-Monitor Gauges Compared
Boating Mag is a website that covers various topics related to boating, such as gear reviews, boat maintenance, fishing tips, and destinations. Read the latest article on boat battery-monitor gauges compared, and learn how to measure real-time battery performance and capacity.
Sailing Instruments
Learn how to choose and use sailing instruments for wind, speed, depth and temperature. Compare different brands, models and features of transducers, displays and black boxes.
Moisture Meters: Can You Trust Them? We Test Five Models
How reliable are moisture meters for measuring moisture in fiberglass hulls? This article reviews five models and reveals their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the factors that affect their readings. Learn what surveyors know and don't know about moisture meters and how to use them wisely.
Testing Marine Battery Monitors
Our test gear comprised a ProMariner ProNautic 12-40P battery charger; West Marine-branded, flooded-cell, deep-cycle battery with a 75-amp hour rating; and two 120-volt, 70-watt incandescent light bulbs powered through a Heart 140-watt DC to AC inverter. This setup created a 12-amp DC load on the battery. We confirmed voltage and current draw ...
best multimeter to test marine electronics???
I use a Fluke 87 as well, although this is more meter than what's required for marine electronics, unless you are doing radio / navigation gear repairs. For general troubleshooting of outboards, wiring and ignition / charging circuits any $30.00 digital meter will work fine. Knowing what to do with it to troubleshoot is another kettle of fish.
Multimeter for the Boat
Re: Multimeter for the Boat. I've been using a $10-$15 multimeter for the last 8-10 years for troubleshooting etc on my boat. It does the job just fine. I have Calibrated Fluke 87's at work that I could borrow but have never needed to. We have a Simpson 260 also but have never needed to borrow that either.
The 4 Best Multimeters of 2024
Compare the top 11 digital multimeters from different brands and models based on our tests and ratings. Find the best multimeter for your electrical projects, from beginners to professionals, with features, functions, and prices.
How to use a Multimeter
For checking 120VAC breakers on your panel, remove your panel and drop it down, revealing the backside of the breakers. Turn a breaker on, touch the black probe to the ground bus bar, and the red probe first to the input side of the breaker (to make sure the breaker is getting power), then to the output side.
liveaboard marina in St. Petersburg
1233 posts · Joined 2001. #7 · Dec 31, 2003. Just to clarify, the Harborage is limited to a few liveaboard slips if the boat is on annual contract. There is no restriction on boat crews living aboard should the boat be registered at the daily/weekly ''visitor'' rate, which is also true of the other marinas.
Best Battery Monitor Test Update
Learn how to install and use the Balmar Smartgauge, a battery monitor that does not require a shunt or temperature sensor. Compare its features, accuracy and limitations with other monitors tested by Practical Sailor.
Ultimate YachtLife
Enjoy a 3-day yacht vacation in St. Petersburg with Ultimate YachtLife Charters, a premier boat rental and yacht charter company. Choose from 70 or 80 foot Princess yachts with spacious bow, cabin, and flybridge, and customize your itinerary with local vendors.
Captained and Bareboat Yacht Charter St Petersburg FL
The Wildlife and Nightlife of Florida's Gulf Coast. Waypoints Florida offers elevated charter experiences in St. Petersburg, FL aboard new model yachts outfitted for comfort and performance. From our charter specialists to our captains, we know the best marinas, local hotspots, and more to help you maximize your cruise on the Tampa Bay.
Sailboat Rentals in St Petersburg: Sailing Charters
Whether you are looking to rent a sailboat in St Pete for a city sightseeing tour, a romantic sunset cruise or an active day on the water with your family or friends, we're confident you'll find the best one for you on Sailo. The average starting price to charter a yacht in St. Petersburg is $1100. You can however find excellent affordable ...
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Learn how to choose a high-quality, no-compromise digital multimeter for your boat's electrical system. Compare features, pros and cons of different models and brands, and see examples of marine applications.
Use it to evaluate a diode or your galvanic isolator-equipped shore-power system. F: At this setting, the multimeter measures DC current in milliamps, useful in determining how much current is being drawn by, say, a light, fan, or motor. G: At this setting, the multimeter measures AC amperage of power from shore, a generator, or an inverter.
Hello, I am considering buying a digital multimeter for use on my boat. I'm not exactly electrically inclined (so I'm reading Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics Simplified", which is great), but I am learning. Does anyone have any recommendations for a particular brand/model of digital...
Tutorials about electrical systems and multimeters often involve theoretical analogies to flowing water. In these primers, the authors test well-designed, functioning circuits, and everything behaves exactly as anticipated. ... extending the line that began with the 460 and 510 (both SAIL Top 10 Best Boats winners in 2023 and 2024, respectively ...
I have top-of-the line Fluke meters (Fluke 189 and Fluke 337), but the Mastech meters at about half the price of the Flukes would probably be good values for medium-duty service. For really cheap multimeters, I prefer the Velleman....can be had for under $20. Handsome, rugged, functional.
The Klein MM400 is a great midgrade multimeter with a ton of flexibility and features for the price. Not only is it durable, it is also safety rated up to 600V and comes with even more features than the MM300 listed above. Check out the lists bellow to see these features. Price: ~$50.
The Sperry DM8700 Techmaster digital multimeter is a rugged, professional electrical tester capable of reading current up to 20 amps AC/DC. A 20-amp, 600-volt fuse protects the device from virtually any electrical surge to be encountered on a sailing vessel. The unit is water resistant (not fully waterproof) and drop-proof to 10 feet.
link to the Electoral series:ELECTRICITY ON BOATS - Clark's Full Masterclass: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsT7_jPsZM5ogT6or244F49-Gy7pYFV7VHave qu...
With a properly working system, you should see voltage on your multimeter between hot and neutral, or between hot and ground, but not between neutral and ground. If the boat is 240 volt, then you should see 240 by touching the probes to the red and black hot conductors. Better multimeters will utilize true rms (root mean square).
It's essential to keep a reliable multimeter aboard your sailboat at all times. Having a good multimeter will be you troubleshoot if any problems occur in yo...
Boating Mag is a website that covers various topics related to boating, such as gear reviews, boat maintenance, fishing tips, and destinations. Read the latest article on boat battery-monitor gauges compared, and learn how to measure real-time battery performance and capacity.
Learn how to choose and use sailing instruments for wind, speed, depth and temperature. Compare different brands, models and features of transducers, displays and black boxes.
How reliable are moisture meters for measuring moisture in fiberglass hulls? This article reviews five models and reveals their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the factors that affect their readings. Learn what surveyors know and don't know about moisture meters and how to use them wisely.
Our test gear comprised a ProMariner ProNautic 12-40P battery charger; West Marine-branded, flooded-cell, deep-cycle battery with a 75-amp hour rating; and two 120-volt, 70-watt incandescent light bulbs powered through a Heart 140-watt DC to AC inverter. This setup created a 12-amp DC load on the battery. We confirmed voltage and current draw ...
I use a Fluke 87 as well, although this is more meter than what's required for marine electronics, unless you are doing radio / navigation gear repairs. For general troubleshooting of outboards, wiring and ignition / charging circuits any $30.00 digital meter will work fine. Knowing what to do with it to troubleshoot is another kettle of fish.
Re: Multimeter for the Boat. I've been using a $10-$15 multimeter for the last 8-10 years for troubleshooting etc on my boat. It does the job just fine. I have Calibrated Fluke 87's at work that I could borrow but have never needed to. We have a Simpson 260 also but have never needed to borrow that either.
Compare the top 11 digital multimeters from different brands and models based on our tests and ratings. Find the best multimeter for your electrical projects, from beginners to professionals, with features, functions, and prices.
For checking 120VAC breakers on your panel, remove your panel and drop it down, revealing the backside of the breakers. Turn a breaker on, touch the black probe to the ground bus bar, and the red probe first to the input side of the breaker (to make sure the breaker is getting power), then to the output side.
1233 posts · Joined 2001. #7 · Dec 31, 2003. Just to clarify, the Harborage is limited to a few liveaboard slips if the boat is on annual contract. There is no restriction on boat crews living aboard should the boat be registered at the daily/weekly ''visitor'' rate, which is also true of the other marinas.
Learn how to install and use the Balmar Smartgauge, a battery monitor that does not require a shunt or temperature sensor. Compare its features, accuracy and limitations with other monitors tested by Practical Sailor.
Enjoy a 3-day yacht vacation in St. Petersburg with Ultimate YachtLife Charters, a premier boat rental and yacht charter company. Choose from 70 or 80 foot Princess yachts with spacious bow, cabin, and flybridge, and customize your itinerary with local vendors.
The Wildlife and Nightlife of Florida's Gulf Coast. Waypoints Florida offers elevated charter experiences in St. Petersburg, FL aboard new model yachts outfitted for comfort and performance. From our charter specialists to our captains, we know the best marinas, local hotspots, and more to help you maximize your cruise on the Tampa Bay.
Whether you are looking to rent a sailboat in St Pete for a city sightseeing tour, a romantic sunset cruise or an active day on the water with your family or friends, we're confident you'll find the best one for you on Sailo. The average starting price to charter a yacht in St. Petersburg is $1100. You can however find excellent affordable ...