Need some advice on grouping accessories...a little lost

[jc55]

Hey guys, I don't need to know "how" to wire, but I need some functional tips on the preferred method of grouping accessories.

I'm a little lost right now. Let's pretend there's no wiring in the boat.


I'm installing a custom overhead console with:
GPS
Stereo
VHF radio
10 or so circuit breakers and switches installed.

Onboard, on a master auxiliary switch feeding 2 or 3 other auxiliary switches, there are/will be:
2 bilge pumps and floats(only 1 connected)
anchor windlass(not connected yet)
additional console GPS
fish finder
interior cabin lights
nav/anchor lights
outdoor spot lights(front and rear)
siren
alarm

Ignition switch controls outboard motor and gauges only(I would like to keep the motor and accessories seperate as they are)

Assuming that each accessory is on it's own breaker and/or fuse, and has it's own labeled switch. Can anyone suggest which accessories should always have power(Not on any master accessory switch), which ones should run through an accessory master switch(example acc1, acc 2, acc 3)? Also, which ones should be grouped together under each acc1, acc2, acc3, etc.?

Hope that isn't too confusing...

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Need some advice on grouping accessories...a little lost

The only things you need to be direct to the battery are the automatic on the bilge pumps and the alarm (assuming that it's an anti-theft system). I'd group the rest by usage. The stuff that you only use when your running or that which gets used when your moored.
We have a switch at the helm for the cabin lights. We leave one light turned on down below and then use the switch at the helm to turn it on and light up the steps when we're going down in the dark. So you might want to put then on there own switch.

 

[jc55]

Re: Need some advice on grouping accessories...a little lost

Thank you wrench3. Just disconnected and labeled all of my accessory wiring. One 10 amp master switch ran ALL of the accessories. It powered the other acc switches and a fuse board full of accessories...YIKES!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Need some advice on grouping accessories...a little lost

This should cover it.

 

[jc55]

Re: Need some advice on grouping accessories...a little lost

Thank you MH. The difference is, is that it looks like there are master auxiliary switches in my application, which I like the idea of. A master switch on the dash feeds the accessory fuse panel so that there's nothing that can be left on when I leave the boat. It's just under rated and under wired.

I ordered a bunch of 25 amp toggle switches from iboats, have several fuse panels and heavy duty terminal strips. I'll split the accessories into two feeds on two seperate circuits.

My Baja is wired so that the ignition turns almost everything on...which I dislike.