QUESTION: Why did you develop the Caliber Smart Electrical System™ in the first place?
ANSWER: Historically, the average DC power draw was less than 100 amp-hours per average day of usage. Currently, with the plethora of navigational electronics and convenience appliances that make cruising safer and more pleasurable, that figure has doubled to 200 amp-hours. Today’s sailor needs a more sophisticated system to handle these additional loads.

CALIBER SMART ELECTRICAL SYSTEM™
          For increased performance in a marine electrical system, adding additional batteries is not a solution. For heavy duty marine purposes, there needs to be a different solution.                A system that gives you all the power you need, and more importantly provides that power safely and reliably. A system that employs the latest in marine electronics technology. A more sophisticated, intelligent one--The Caliber Smart Electrical System™.
          At the core, large deep cycle batteries are installed as standard equipment. The SEries models come with a pair of high acceptance deep-cycle 200 amp AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) marine batteries (three in the 47LRC SEries model). These are large batteries which are intelligently located for accessibility. Even more convenient, adding an optional battery is a breeze. These powerhouses require specialized charging and monitors. So theimportant step, is the removal of the standard automobile alternator that comes with most engines is replace with a high-output, small frame alternator. This alternator is capable of producing 110 amps of charging power. This high output alternator is simply not enough to insure the batteries get topped off properly.
          It’s important to make the high output alternator work efficiently and safely with the deep-cycle batteries.In the Smart Electrical System™, there is a specialized "smart regulator."  It controls the charging power to the batteries in a sophisticated step sequence regulated not only by the voltage, but temperature too- criteria which are monitored for the optimal charging sequence. Should there be a malfunction in the system, it would be indicated by an error lamp and associated audio buzzer which is included as standard. It’s a valuable safety feature on a yacht that depends upon reliable battery power.
          Another important built-in safety feature- the starting battery is isolated from the house batteries yet no manually switching is required after starting the engine to charge all batteries. Still, in the event that the starter battery fails, there is an emergency parallel switch in the system that makes it simple to transfer the power from the house batteries to start the engine.
          The entire electrical circuit of the yacht is protected with a circuit protection device (CPD). Every circuit has to go through this main CPD. To help insure this remains so for additional equipment, there are additional positive and negative distribution posts. These posts are future attachment points for electronics. For further safety, a manual emergency cut-off switch is installed that is capable of shutting down the entire DC house battery system quickly.
          The Caliber Smart Electrical System™, Caliber continues to lead the way with well-engineered safety features.
  • System design to provide lots of power safely and reliably
  • High-output alternator replaces standard alternator
  • Hi-capacity, deep cycle AGM marine house batteries
  • Smart regulator for step charging efficiency, audible alarm, temperature regulated, with visual charging sequence
  • Dedicated battery banks for independence between engine starting battery and house batteries
  • Emergency parallel switch for house battery use as back up engine starting battery.
  • Circuit Protection Device (CPD) to protect all circuits in system
  • Convenient negative and positive distribution posts for additional equipment under CPD
  • Main manual shut-down switch fully protects entire circuit
  • All digital meters on panel
  • Dual alternator power option for additional 200 amp charging power.
  • Anchor windlass pre-wire run is standard
From Modern Cruising Under Sail by Don Dodds
“The engine alternator is the next most common source of power for the batteries. Almost all engines come with alternators. The bad news is that they were designed for truck or automobile use. Truks and automobiles have rapid-draw-down, high-power-output batteries; therefore, their alternators and generators are designed to put back that kind of power, by supplying a large current load for only a short time and then substantially reducing the current output. This is a good idea for the average car battery but a poor one for boat batteries. If you have one of these alternators it should be modified to bypass this regulator system, or replaced with a good marine alternator.”