From Aircraft Engineering to Innovative Marine Solutions

Professional Background and Passion for Boating

My career began in aircraft engineering, a field that has grounded me in technical expertise and problem-solving. However, boating has always been a strong passion of mine, providing both relaxation and a new area to apply my engineering skills.

Identifying a Common Boating Challenge

While enjoying time on my own launch, I encountered persistent issues with battery charging. After replacing several failed batteries, I was determined to find the cause of the problem. A local battery manufacturer in New Zealand offered valuable insight, pointing out a widespread issue in the boating community: the frequent use of automotive alternators in marine vessels. These alternators, originally designed for cars, are not built to handle the substantial electrical loads typical on boats, such as those demanded by anchor winches, bow thrusters, and large house batteries that operate overnight. Despite this, automotive alternators remain commonplace on many boats, a fact that is surprisingly little known among boaters.

Developing a Practical Solution

To address this problem, I began researching ‘smart’ voltage regulators, which are specifically designed for marine applications. However, I found these devices to be prohibitively expensive. Drawing on some classic Kiwi ingenuity, my scientist son and I decided to design and build our own smart voltage regulator. We created a unit for personal use, and it performed flawlessly on our boat.

Sharing the Innovation

Word of our success spread among friends who also owned boats, leading me to make small batches of the smart regulator for them. What started as a personal project soon became a fulfilling hobby, allowing me to meet other boating enthusiasts, learn about their electrical setups, and help them resolve their battery charging issues.

Ongoing Development and Current Endeavours

The Smart Alternator Regulator has operated reliably in my own launch since 2004 with over 700 units being in the market place. Although I have since sold the boat and now travel in a motorhome, the legacy of that innovation continues. Today, I collaborate with electronic mentors to further refine the regulator’s design. In addition, I run Aero Consult Limited, an aviation business that specialises in accident investigations, valuations, and pre-purchase inspections for both aircraft and helicopters.

Graeme Polley