If you follow the coast Guard regulations you will be fine. You can access them here on the CG site. https://safeafloat.com/boat-builders-handbook/ .Is there a way to access ABYC standards as a DIYer?
I think your reasoning is off a bit. It costs money to create them. So once created, the only way to cover that cost is to charge for the distributed content, regardless of platform. By your logic Kindle and other E-Books should be free. Doubt the Authors would like that ;-) . If you are really building an boat or a marine system that needs ABYC compliance, I suspect you are spending way, way, way more than it would cost to get a legal copy of the Code in question.That's not the real reason. It costs money to create them, but publishing a digital copy today is free. And low volume physical publication is very cheap.
The REAL reason is that the purpose of ABYC is to support the marine industry. To give its members value, that they can then pass on to customers, charge a higher price for, and to stand out as a better provider than competitors. If the standards were free and easy to get, then all providers and DIY techs would follow them, and that value to the members would be lost.
The cost to create them is covered by membership. It completes a circle, join, work together to create the standards, and share the standards amongst each other. Much of the work creating the standard is volunteer by the members. Selling copies is ancillary. They need to sell a few to insurance companies, lawyers etc. to support the value. And to provide a path for new entrants in the field to become certified and join. But income from selling them isn't the reason for selling them. Worth noting, the cheapest membership is $105 and includes access to the standards. For a non-member to access them is $809. They want members, not to sell the standard.I think your reasoning is off a bit. It costs money to create them. So once created, the only way to cover that cost is to charge for the distributed content, regardless of platform. By your logic Kindle and other E-Books should be free. Doubt the Authors would like that ;-) . If you are really building an boat or a marine system that needs ABYC compliance, I suspect you are spending way, way, way more than it would cost to get a legal copy of the Code in question.
Underwriters Labs gives you free access to their safety standards,Pretty much every standards organization charges a pretty hefty fee for the standards - because it costs a fair bit to organize and publish them.
These aren't mass market publications, and there isn't a huge demand for them. Somebody has to pay to have them published.
I find it frustrating myself, but I understand it.
ABYC is a voluntary standard, but it is the most important standard in the US pleasure boat industry. Following the ABYC electrical standards is almost mandatory if you don't want to be sued as a builder. For owners, it's also a good way not to sink your boat, but the only time it might be required by insurance is if you have more than liability.I have not every heard of a boat needing to be signed off by an ABYC inspector.
The Lithium with BMS is actually safer for powering devices that must always be on like bilge pumps. If the LFP battery is run down, the BMS turns of and your bilge pump stops working. That isn't good. But if the Lead Acid battery runs down to such a low voltage that the pump won't run, you risk damaging the pump, which is even worse.ABYC is a voluntary standard, but it is the most important standard in the US pleasure boat industry. Following the ABYC electrical standards is almost mandatory if you don't want to be sued as a builder. For owners, it's also a good way not to sink your boat, but the only time it might be required by insurance is if you have more than liability.
I'm not sure they cover some of the things we would be interested in...messing with lithium and solar does have some safety implications for systems like bilge pumps which should not be able to be 'turned off' normally. How best to deal with BMS functions that could render safety equipment inoperable, etc? We currently have one lead battery for this reason.