Accessory Socket

[Ron173]

I'm thinking of installing a 12v accessory socket of the cigarette lighter type in my boat which is powered by a 40 merc with an 18amp alternator.<br /><br />I want to run a small thermocooler type fridge (not compressor) it will draw absolute max 8amps, should I just run it direct from battery?<br /><br />Or with the poss of fitting nav lights later, perhaps run a small fuse panel / distribution board or should they both just go straight on battery?<br /><br />Rgds<br /><br />Ron

 

[Boatist]

Re: Accessory Socket

Every power wire should have a fuse near the battery. Get a bigger panel than you think you will ever need now. Sooner or later you will be adding more gear. A GPS, Fish Finder, VHF Radio.<br /><br />Many will run a heavy wire from your battery to a fuse panel at your helm station. This wire should also have a fuse of proper size to protect the wire. Then each device should have it own fuse in the fuse panel. Wire should always be large enough to supply the current you need without more than 5 percent voltage drop. Fuse should be small enough to protect the wire.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Accessory Socket

Hi Ron,<br /><br />It sounds like your starting fresh, this is how I would do it - <br /><br />Circuit breaker at the battery, 6mm wire from breaker to the helm fuse/switch panel. 4mm from switches to accessories including cig socket. The neg from the batt can run into a common buss bar under the helm. <br /><br />Everything is fused and the main circuit is protected by the breaker. Marine rated breakers with manual override are available, they allow you to kill the entire circuit if required.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Realgun]

Re: Accessory Socket

Accessory socket is what you need.<br /><br />Wiring to the battery will get messy in the long run.<br /><br />Suggest you get an 8/10 guage wire from battery to a fuse panel then 12-14 to socket. Gotta be sure of the voltage drops/run length too.<br /><br />Have fun.