Wiring details

[Uncle Dave]

I am doing some re-wiring on my cuddy. Is it best to run a single large wire (12 or 10 ga)with a distribution panel, rather than single wire for each unit. (gps, radio, depth)

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Wiring details

I prefer the single large wire with a fused distribution panel and eliminate all the inline fuse holders.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Wiring details

It sure makes for a Cleaner Installation..........<br /><br />I ran a (+) and a (-) 12ga wires up plastic conduit, 1 from each battery, up each side of the boat,<br />to fuse blocks,+ buss bars.......

 

[Uncle Dave]

Re: Wiring details

Thanks, B. and B.<br /><br />One other query. Will the single wire and dist. panel, give less interaction between gps, depth and radio?

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Wiring details

Absolutely. Ideally, all of your electrical/electronic accessories get their power from the distribution (fuse) panel. In this case, bigger is better. You cannot run too big of a wire from the battery switch to the distribution panel. You do have a battery switch, right? <br /><br />There is some controversy here but the current wisdom that is winning out says bilge pumps are the exception…they should get their power directly from the battery. I recently read the article Alpine* posted this link to: http://www.yachtsurvey.com/bilge_pumps.htm It suggests, with some validity, that you should consider wiring the bilge pump without circuit protection, i.e. no fuse. <br /><br />*Alpine – thanks for the link. It was just what I needed to get woman to bless the purchase of a belt driven bilge pump.