Boat Electricity for Normal Humans

Podcast Series

All 8 episodes, all study materials, and all downloads are 100% free forever.

We earn revenue from affiliate product links — not from putting knowledge behind a paywall.

Course One: Foundations

DC Power, Ohm’s Law & Why 12V vs 24V Matters

Understanding DC power, Ohm’s Law as a safety issue, and why the voltage decision shapes everything from wire size to system cost.

Course Two: The Power Audit => Run your numbers in Sparky

Calculate Your Exact Daily Power Consumption

Build your Load Sheet, calculate your TDAHC, and size your system correctly — before spending a dollar on equipment. This step alone saves most cruisers $2,000+.

How to measure amp-hours for every load aboard
The ‘daily budget’ method for sizing your system correctly
Why most cruisers underestimate consumption by 30–40%
SPOTIFY – APPLE PODCAST (20:43 Minutes)
Study Guide | Cheat Sheet | Checklist | Course Worksheet | => Design your System with Sparky

Course Three: Battery Chemistry

AGM vs LiFePO₄ — With Real Cost Math

A no-hype comparison of AGM, Gel, and LiFePO₄ for offshore cruising — with real cost math over 5 years. Move past sticker shock.

Why LiFePO4 is the right choice for most live-aboards
The real total cost of AGM vs lithium over a 5-year horizon
When AGM still makes sense — and when it absolutely doesn’t
SPOTIFY – APPLE PODCAST (24 Minutes)
Study Guide | Cheat Sheet | Checklist | => Design your System with Sparky

Course Four: Charging Strategy

Solar, Alternator, Shore Power & Generator

How to safely charge from all four sources without damaging your bank or your alternator. Multi-source prioritization for offshore passages.

Bulk, absorption, and float: what they mean specifically for lithium
Why you need separate charging profiles per charging source
The multi-input prioritization strategy we use for offshore passages
SPOTIFY – APPLE PODCAST (31:34 Minutes)
Study Guide | Cheat Sheet | Checklist | => Design your System with Sparky

Course Five: Wiring Safety

ABYC-Compliant Wire Sizing & Overcurrent Protection

The wiring standards that separate a safe boat from a floating fire hazard. Every non-negotiable rule from ABYC E-11.

How to calculate correct wire gauge for any DC circuit run
Where every fuse goes — and why the 7-inch rule is non-negotiable
Tinned copper vs bare copper: what saltwater does to your connections
SPOTIFY – APPLE PODCAST (34:21 Minutes)
Study Guide | Cheat Sheet | Checklist | => Design your System with Sparky

Course Six: DC-DC Chargers

Isolating Banks Without Compromising Charging

Why a B2B charger is mandatory in any LiFePO₄ retrofit — and how to wire two banks that never interfere with each other.

Why a B2B charger is mandatory in any LiFePO4 retrofit
The difference between a battery combiner and a proper DC-DC charger
How to wire two banks that never interfere with each other
SPOTIFY – APPLEPODCAST (27:22 Minutes)
Study Guide | Cheat Sheet | Checklist | => Design your System with Sparky

Course Seven: The Alternator Problem

Why Standard Alternators Fail with Lithium Banks

The most expensive preventable failure on cruising boats. The only safe solutions — external regulation or DC-DC isolation — are explained with real failure scenarios.

How lithium batteries can destroy your alternator in a single overnight passage
External regulators: what they do and why you need one
The DC-DC isolator alternative for smaller or budget-conscious builds
SPOTIFY – APPLEPODCAST (29:57 Minutes)
Study Guide | Cheat Sheet | Checklist | => Design your System with Sparky

Course Eight: System Design – Capstone => Use Sparky

Design Your Complete System

Putting it all together with a complete walkthrough using Sparky (MarineAmp). The correct sequence from load calculation to a purchase-ready spec sheet.

The correct sequence: load → battery → solar → charging sources
Real-world output from a 400Ah liveaboard build we documented
Common design errors that waste money and reduce long-term reliability
SPOTIFY – APPLEPODCAST (24 Minutes)
Study Guide | Cheat Sheet | Checklist | => Design your System with Sparky

Educational Disclaimer: All course content, study materials, and tools provided by Sea-U Media LLC are for educational and informational purposes only. Marine electrical systems involve serious safety risks, including fire, electrocution, and vessel loss. Always consult a qualified ABYC-certified marine electrician before undertaking any electrical work aboard your vessel. Sea-U Media LLC assumes no liability for errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from use of this content.