Help with basic electrical setup.

[andymach23]

I'm in the process of adding some equipment to my 17ft outboard powered fishing boat, eg fixed VHF radio, Chart plotter, bilge pump, fish finder. My equipment has fuse ratings as low as 1 amp for the plotter and up to 10 amp for the VHF. I am currently running with 1 battery. <br /><br />I have a very basic knowledge of electrics. It would help to view a sample set up on the web that lists the components that I would need including the wire. A beginners guide I suppose. I've looked at some marine electrical dealers sites but there are no explainations.<br /><br />Does anyone know of any resource that could assist me?<br /><br />Thanks in advance<br /><br />Andy

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

There's a book I found handy called something like "12 Volt Bible".<br /><br />I found using a fuse block and a grounding block - rather than a bunch of in-line fuses and direct grounds - to be simpler and neater to use.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

where did you find this book..??

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

Andy...have a look through this post, gives you some idea about using a distribution fuse block like D. says, simpler and neater. http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=27;t=001871

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

Originally posted by crab bait:<br /> where did you find this book..??

Just typed it in Google and got 4600 hits - take your pick! I'm pretty sure I either bought it from an on-line boating store or Amazon.

 

[andymach23]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

Thanks guys for the help. The old thread suggested by Boatin Bob is excellent. I am now on the right track.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Andy

 

[andymach23]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

Hi<br /><br />I went out today and got a 6 switch panel. There is a fitting on the panel to connect my battery + wire, and three red + wires that each connect to a pair of switches using 1 fuse holder. These fuse holders come with a 15 amp blade fuse. <br />Each switch is rated to 20 amps. <br /><br />My chart plotter and fish finder have to be protected with a 1 amp fuse. My electric bilge pump is 2.5 amp. My radio needs a 10 amp fuse.<br /><br />I like the idea having switches for all my kit, especilly as I will probably install lights and a wiper at some point. It also will give a tidy finish.<br /><br />I am not sure how to wire this however. Should I install further inline fuses ( 1 amp & 2.5 ) after I connect my equipment positive wires to the switches? My radio came with an in-line 10 amp fuse up near the unit. Do I then just make sure the amp rating of the kit attached to each pair of connected switches doesn't exceed the 15 amp blade fuse? <br /><br />I'm ok on grounding it all. I got a bus bar for that.<br /><br />Adding extra fuses seems excessive. When I got the panel I thought that each switch had its own fuse which would be simpler. <br /><br />Has anyone any better ideas?<br /><br />Many thanks<br /><br />Andy

 

[Realgun]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

1. Make sure the wire from the battery is sized for the load you have.<br />2. Use the correct color of wiring. This will help you if you ever need help or service.<br />3. The positive should be fused within 7 inches of the battery. Unless enclosed in a sheath then you can go to 40 inches.<br />4. The fuse at the battery protects the wire to the panel.<br />5. Each accessory should be fused also.<br /><br />Fuses are for safety use them!<br /> Ancor web site has some awsome tools. Look under the technical topic.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

From what I read in your post, you would still want the individual fuses for each piece of electronics. Protecting the boat wiring is one thing, but making sure you protect each piece of equipment is another, and these fuses should be installed between the equipment and the switch. The idea is that if your switch panel is fused at 15 amps, yet you have a fish finder that has an inline fuse at 1 amp, if something goes wrong in the fish finder, that 1 amp fuse will blow, protecting the internal circuitry of the fish finder.

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

Not trying to make things more complicated, but you need to draw a basic wiring plan, as some things need to be on a switched circut, meaning they will only work with the key on. Some need to be on an unswitched circut, such as your bilge pump, & anchoring light, working if the key is on or off. Some things are up to your descretion, if you only want them with the key on. Also think about a battery switch, & maybe 2 batteries, but you should have a switch to kill nearly everything except the auto pump switch, for the bilge pump, if you have one. That book is available in nearly every marine store. good Luck, Joe

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

ive often wondered why people switch things that have a switch on them. the vhf for instance is emergency equipment, the more reliable you make this item the safer you will be be. adding a switch to the vhf batt+ circuit is adding an item that can fail. <br />buy an "ato" fuse panel and wire all the electronics directly to this panel. ato fuses are readily available in sizes > 1 amp at your local auto store they are cheap and easy to change. send all of your grounds to a negative bus located under your dash.<br />for added longevity use dielectric grease on your fuses.

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

To clear things a little, when I say switched, & unswitched, I mean the Ignition switch. You are looking at dead batteries, & corrosion. if you wire things up wrong. It takes the same time to wire things correctly as it takes to do it wrong. Go to the library, & get a book on boat wireing follow the guide, it should have in it, draw a diagram with colors marked on it so you have it later if you need it. Do it right have fun all Summer! Good luck, Joe

 

[andymach23]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

I now have everything wired up behind my switch panel and it is looking good. Benc, I take your point about switching things that have a switch. I thought just that when I tried my kit today and had to switch twice. I also went to try my bilge pump and couldn't figure out what was wrong until I realised I'd mixed up my label stickers<br /><br />I used a bus bar for my grounds and found it reallty convenient. I was unsure about using crimped connectors on it for the radio( 10 amp). I checked a few suppliers and no connectors had an amp rating on them. <br /><br />The swich panel looks really good on the boat now and I'm ready for other kit that really needs switches like nav lights and a wiper maybe.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone that contributed.<br /><br />Andy

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Help with basic electrical setup.

Good for you Andy, glad things are working out well, the buss bar for the grounds is a good idea. Next thing you know you'll be going after a bigger boat just so you can rewire it.