Boat Electrical Repair
Boat electrical repair in Long Beach and San Pedro: wiring, gauges, ignition, trim and tilt, bilge pumps and batteries, fixed at your slip. Book now.
- 11 services
- At your slip or in the shop
Marine Electrical Repair in Long Beach and San Pedro
We diagnose and repair boat electrical systems at your slip, dock or storage yard from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or at our San Pedro shop. We trace the fault from the batteries to the panel, find the cause and quote the repair before any work is done.
What the work covers
The core service is marine electrical repair and troubleshooting: dead circuits, tripping breakers, corroded connections and wiring that has been added to over the years. The work also covers:
- Batteries and charging: marine battery replacement and charging system repair, plus lithium LiFePO4 battery conversions and power upgrades.
- Shore power: shore power inspection and cord replacement.
- Corrosion: electrolysis and galvanic corrosion testing, with a check of the bonding system.
- Solar: marine solar panel design and installation.
- Networks: NMEA 2000 networking and digital switching systems.
- Lighting, sound and internet: underwater LED lighting, marine audio upgrades, Starlink installation, and marine electronics installation and repair.
Parts are quoted with the job.
When to call
- Batteries that go flat overnight or will not hold a charge
- A breaker that keeps tripping, or a circuit that works one day and not the next
- A shore power plug or inlet that looks burnt or feels hot
- Zincs that wear away fast, or pitting on props and running gear
- Electronics that reset, flicker or drop off the network
Questions about marine electrical repair
Why do boat electrical problems come and go?
Salt air and moisture corrode terminals and crimped joints. A weak connection can pass a quick check and still fail when the circuit carries current, so we test circuits under load.
Is a lithium battery conversion a simple swap?
Usually not. Lithium batteries charge differently from lead-acid, so the charger, alternator and battery monitor often need changes as part of the job.
Book a visit: submit a ticket with the boat, where it is kept and which circuits are acting up, or call (562) 542-7296.
See also: marine battery replacement and charging system repair.
See also: boat alternator repair marine rebuild and charging system testing.
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#499 Common question asks
What are the three essential rules for a reliable NMEA 2000 network installation?
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For optimal performance, three rules must be followed: 1. Proper Termination: A 120-Ohm terminator must be installed only at each physical end of the backbone (resulting in 60 Ohms total resistance). 2. Central Power Tap: The single power source (9-16V) must be connected as close to the center of the backbone as possible to prevent voltage drop. 3. Drop Cable Length: Individual device drop cables must not exceed 6 meters (20 feet) in length.
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#497 Common question asks
What are PGNs in NMEA 2000, and why are they important for integration?
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PGN stands for Parameter Group Number: each standard NMEA 2000 message type has one, and each message carries a set of related data, such as engine speed and boost pressure. Standard PGNs let displays and sensors from different makers share depth, wind, engine and position data. Digital switching systems also use brand-specific messages, so before an install we check that your displays support your switching system, for example CZone or EmpirBus.
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#495 Common question asks
What is NMEA 2000, and how does it relate to digital switching?
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NMEA 2000 (N2K) is the marine industry standard communication protocol built on CAN bus technology. It allows electronic devices (GPS, sonar, engine sensors) from different brands to communicate via a single, multi-directional backbone cable. Digital switching systems use the NMEA 2000 backbone as their communication highway, sending control messages (PGNs) from the MFD to the power modules to activate circuits.
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#493 Common question asks
What are the primary components of a typical Digital Switching System installation?
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A system has four main parts: output and input modules that switch and protect the circuits in place of switch panels and relays; the NMEA 2000 backbone that links them; control interfaces such as MFDs or digital keypads; and the system logic, often built into a main module, that runs your custom modes and automation.
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#491 Common question asks
How does digital switching improve marine safety and electrical efficiency?
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Digital switching shows faults and alerts on the helm display, protects each circuit electronically and lets you switch a device off and on again from the screen. It also shortens wiring runs and can shed non-essential loads automatically when battery voltage drops, to save power.
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#489 Common question asks
What are Digital Switching Systems (DSS) in boating, and why should I upgrade?
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Digital Switching Systems (DSS), such as CZone or EmpirBus, replace traditional analog switches and fuses with networked electronic modules. They allow you to control, monitor, and automate your vessel’s DC electrical devices via Multifunction Displays (MFDs) or tablets. The main benefits of upgrading include simplified wiring, customizable control screens, the ability to create 'Scene' modes (e.g., "Anchor Up"), and comprehensive real-time system monitoring for diagnostics.
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#401 Common question asks
Can you build a complete entertainment upgrade with TVs, Wi-Fi streaming, and satellite audio?
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Yes. Along with multi-zone audio, we can install TVs, satellite radio and Wi-Fi streaming sources, checking the mounting, the wiring and what your batteries, inverter or shore power can support. We plan it with you and give you a written estimate before work starts.
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#399 Common question asks
How loud and clear can a premium marine audio system get?
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A well-planned system can be heard clearly over wind and engine noise at cruising speed. That comes from marine amplifiers matched to the speakers, subwoofers in proper enclosures, careful speaker placement and tuning for each zone. We size the system to how loud you want it and what your batteries and charging can support.
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#397 Common question asks
Do you offer LED speaker lighting and illuminated subwoofers?
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Yes. We install speakers and subwoofers with RGB lighting rings and LED accent lighting, wired on a fused circuit and controlled from the stereo, a remote or an app, depending on the system.
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#395 Common question asks
Can you integrate my audio system with Bluetooth, Garmin, Fusion, or touchscreen helm controls?
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Often, yes. Most marine stereos pair with Bluetooth, and many can be controlled from a chartplotter such as Garmin or Simrad over NMEA 2000 or Fusion-Link when both units support it. We check what your stereo and helm display support before we quote.
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