Wiring Questions

[Andy in NY]

Re: Wiring Questions

okay, this maybe a dumb question, but i just got my new switch panel, and am looking at it and am a bit unsure how to wire it.

does the main power attach to the bare ring? and each acc come off the black lead from each switch?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring Questions

Not very good pictures so from what I can determine, the round devices are individual circuit breakers (one for each switch). I can't tell from the picture what that open ring connects to. But --- the straight length of wire connecting all of the breakers is apparently the +12V bus and a damned poor one at that. It will work but that entire buss is exposed to anything that might touch it. From that bus, each breaker feeds its corresponding switch. Current then passes through the switch (when on) and out the black wire from each switch to it's corresponding device. Again -- black is normally associated with ground or return, not +12V. Since you are rewiring anyway, lose the black wires and attach female spade lugs to the hot wire for the device you intend to run from that switch. That wire should be any color but black since it's carrying +12V, not ground. Note also that this panel has no ground bus so you need to add one that connects to the ground wire from the battery. All of your device grounds then connect to that bus.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Wiring Questions

i know i will need to run a seperate ground to each acc... so can i take some liquid tape or something and coat that bar to protect it from somthing else touching it?


btw, it is pretty cheaply made, only paid $20 new for it... it only has to last me a few years.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring Questions

Any of the auto stores carries the corrugated tubing in a small diameter that you can slip over the buss and make a notch in it where the wire to the switch exits. Secure it with a couple of zip-ties.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Wiring Questions

well, i got everything rewired. lookin good! the only thing i didnt like is that when i was cutting holes for the switch panel and the stereo i should have used a finer blade because it chipped the paint and fiberglass around where i was cutting. lookd like i will have to get some touch up paint.


i hooked up the anchor light, and flipped the switch. nothing... so i go and get a new bulb, and as i went to unscrew the cover it just chattered in my hand! time for a new one i guess! i also noticed that the contacts IN the mast for the light had some corrision on them, not making a good connection (i think the bulb wasnt even burnt out, it just wasnt making contact). how can i get that cleaned? steel wool maybe?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring Questions

Contact cleaner from Radio Shack and whatever fits into the socket. If you use steel wool, make sure you get every bit of it out of the socket. Steel = a conductor and hence would cause a short if any bits were left inside.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Wiring Questions

Contact cleaner from Radio Shack and whatever fits into the socket. If you use steel wool, make sure you get every bit of it out of the socket. Steel = a conductor and hence would cause a short if any bits were left inside.

aah, right. didnt even think about that!

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Wiring Questions

this morning as i was in the shower, a light bulb went off. the panel that i am using... why is the main incoming power exposed?


its a switched GROUND panel.


duh.

that would also explain why the leads from the switches were black.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring Questions

If that panel was from a boat, we (at least I) would like to know the boat manufacturer so I never buy one. Geez -- having the breaker at the end of the line is absolutely insane. A short anywhere before the switches burns down the boat. How dumb. I really don't think that's a switched ground panel. I think it's just a poorly designed standard panel that has black wires on the load side of the switches.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Wiring Questions

well, i took a few precautions anyways... i added an inline fuse just after the battery, and i coated the exposed part with liquid electrical tape.

i definatly agree that it is poorly designed.

as soon as i have the cash i am going to upgrade to a more expensive and better one. right now i am on a budget to get on the water.

 

[flabum]

Re: Wiring Questions

Do yourself a favor, get a piece of plastic icing (the stuff they use for windows in bimini tops) or similar and make a flap cover for over the switch panel to keep it dry if it rains. If those switches get wet, things will start to come on even with the switches off.

 

[flabum]

Re: Wiring Questions

this morning as i was in the shower, a light bulb went off.

So you took the rest of your shower in the dark?

the panel that i am using... why is the main incoming power exposed?


its a switched GROUND panel.


duh.

that would also explain why the leads from the switches were black.

Well, the wires going from each fuse to each switch is red.


Personally, I would have de-soldered each wire off the load side of the switches and soldered my wiring straight to the switches.....one less connection to fail.

 

[gsk2005uk]

Re: Wiring Questions

As I am a newbie with these things, what kind of a diode should I place on the switch? How do I ask it in the store? The navi lights are as shown on the picture and connected on a 12V battery.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Wiring Questions

Do not use steel wool around a boat, the steel fibers will rust. Use bronze wool or sandpaper to clean up terminals or better yet a "Scotchbrite" pad.