Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

[pfistey1]

I'm new to wiring, obviously. I'm trying to understand how to wire my boat from the battery to some type of fuse buss or breaker buss. Do I simply run a positive lead from the battery to one side of the buss and a negative lead from the battery to the other side of the buss? When the buss is wired hot, I would then start to connect, let's say the lights, guages, etc. I thought that sounded to easy, but maybe that's all it will take. Any suggestions on reading material, books, mags, would be appreciated as well. Thank you very much for your help.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

You've got it right. Just run some wires up(12 Gauge stranded marine grade wire would do it) to the buss box and wire away. Of course, some gauges like the Tach will require a hot from the ignition, but for running lights and backlights for gauges, it will be fine. You would run the wires through switches to control what you are operating.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

kinda like this.......<br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/029206.jpg <br /><br />

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

I refer people to this book as having everything you will need to know for wiring anything on your boat except complex inverters and generators (it is available here in iBoats MegaMall):<br /><br />“Powerboater’s Guide to Electrical Systems – Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Improvements” by Ed Sherman.<br /><br />Very important: use only marine-grade components…no aluminum…it has no place in your boat’s electrical system(s). All conductors must be connected by mechanical fasteners (crimps, screws, clips, etc), no soldering. Spend as much time as needed planning your wiring, then acquire the items you need, allowing for spares and expansion of additional accessories in the future. Build the fuse/breaker panel and any wiring harnesses on your kitchen table in your spare time. LABEL EVERYTHING! Buy a booklet of peel-off wire labels (Home Depot $7). Actual installation on the boat will go very quickly.<br /><br />Personally, there are very few items I buy that are name brand marine electrical, although everything is marine-grade. The boating industry isn’t big enough to support the manufacturing of components just for itself. Most components are manufactured for use in other industrial, corrosive environment applications (or to mil spec for military contracts) and re-labeled by companies catering to the marine industry<br /><br />If you have specific questions, ask.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

Yeah, Mike. Just like that...

 

[pfistey1]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

Hey, thanks everyone. The picture helped clarify a few things.

 

[pfistey1]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

If I'm looking at the picture, I need two seperate buss boxes, or would one have a positive lead on one side and negative lead on the other? <br /><br />Thanks, <br />pfistey1

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

A fuse is in-line with the (+) of whatever is being powered, or prior to distribution in the case of power distribution. If the fuse is protecting electronics, it should very close to where the power enters the electronics device or installed on the electronics device by the manufacturer. Where the fuse is protecting wiring, as in power distribution, it should be as close to the power source (battery) as possible, but in any case no more than 18-inches of conductor (wire) between it and the battery.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

Like Rabbit said, a fuse (or breaker) is in-line (wired in series) with the positive lead. The ground for the device goes to an unfused, common ground bus. You can buy a fuse or breaker panel to make the job easier. Here are some examples from BlueSea Systems:<br /><br /> http://www.bluesea.com/dept.asp?d_id=7463&l1=7463 <br /><br />You can also just have a 12V bus and a ground bus and wire your own breakers or fuses in-line on the hot side. In that case, the buses make it easy to distribute the power (e.g., you run one set of heavy gauge wires from the battery to the buses and then run power from the buses to your individual items). This eliminates the need to "homerun" a bunch of wires all the way to the battery. The size (gauge) of the wire from your battery to your busses (or panel) depends on: 1) Your current needs 2) The length of the run and 3) The acceptable voltage drop. Here is a link to help you determine the proper wire size:<br /><br /> http://www.ancorproducts.com/Technical_information/Wire_calculator.htm

 

[DJ]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

You need TWO busses. One positive, one negative. One of the busses can be a fuse block, if you wish.<br /><br />If you wire positive to one side of a buss and negative to the other, you have DIRECT short circuit. Not good.

 

[pfistey1]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

Thanks everyone again. You've been a tremendous help.

 

[BG1150]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

About to do mine as well and found the following very helpful:<br /><br /> http://www.ancorproducts.com/Technical_information/Marine_Color_Code.html <br /><br /><br />and if it is a Merc, the following may help:<br /><br /> http://www.maxrules.com/wireindex.html

 

[pfistey1]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

I can't seem to get to these links. Any suggestions?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[strikeone33]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

I'm using a bus bar with 12 gage wire running from the bar to the electronics, what size wire should i use from the battery to the bar. its not a big box like the ones in the picture, its a small bus bar with maybe 8 possible connection spots.

 

[mcce]

Re: Wiring Guages, Lights, to a wiring buss

This thread was awesome for my research--- Thanks to All!!

Does anbody agree with this Marine Electrical Checklist?