Ervin02
23.06.2021 12:18:22
Figure 7. The Blue Sea 8110 is a good multimeter for novice marine electricians.
See full version: 12-Volt Basics for Boaters
Figure 7. The Blue Sea 8110 is a good multimeter for novice marine electricians.
Some builders and do-it-yourselfers use untinned wire that provides acceptable service life with their systems, so don’t fret that too much – but remember that the greater copper content and protective tinning of marine-grade wire is better in the long run.
Figure 1, which comes from one my early articles discussing basic electricity, illustrates what happens when volts, amps, and ohms play together. The ohm character – the villain – is making it tough for the volt guy to push the amp guy along the circuit. You can see intuitively what has to happen. For example, let’s say voltage stays a constant at 12 volts. If resistance (ohms) increases, what has to happen to amperage? It will always decrease. If an appliance is engineered to operate at a certain amperage (and they all are) then the performance of the appliance will be compromised. This can and often does equate to a bilge pump or blower fan not spinning as rapidly as designed, essentially creating a potentially dangerous situation.
This is a really important concept to accept because a look at the back side of a typical panel board is sure to be intimidating initially, due to the large number of wires, bus bars, and termination points you’re looking at. Focus on the circuit breaker or fuse and associated wires that are supplying the circuit you’re have trouble with. Figure 4 shows the back side of a typical panel board supplying DC circuits on an average boat. This particular boatbuilder opted for the use of thermal mini-breakers, popular on European boats for a few years now. These are about the same size as the ATO or ATC type fuses you may see in your car. They are amperage-rated like fuses, but unlike fuses they’re resettable. Each of those breakers will be a part of its own separate circuit. Sometimes a tripped circuit breaker can be the only reason the circuit isn’t functioning, if it’s tripped by accident or a one-time event -- but usually there’s an underlying cause for the breaker to trip that will need to be found and repaired. [links]
Figure 3. A modern multi-phase battery charger needs to be calibrated to the system it's working with. here
In the case of multi-phase chargers, the voltages and battery type selector switches all need to be set according to the directions that come with units. As for the engine alternators, most have internal voltage regulators with fixed settings, so just make sure the maximum output doesn’t exceed your battery manufacturer’s specifications. Typically gel-cell type batteries are the most sensitive here. In Figure 3 you can see some of the typical adjustment settings on a modern multi-phase battery charger. here
So I'm thinking about adding a switch panel and a negative bus bar to my pontoon. The pontoon has no wiring or any kind of electrical devices installed yet. I want to make sure I hook this up currectly. My first question is do I have to run a line from the negative post on the battery to the bus bar, or can I just install the bus bar and run the negative wires from the stereo and lights, etc to that bar? On the ones I've looked at, I don't see an input terminal or anything like that where I would bring a line from the battery in so I didn't know if I could just screw the bar in under the console and that was it? [links]
So I'm thinking about adding a switch panel and a negative bus bar to my pontoon. The pontoon has no wiring or any kind of electrical devices installed yet. I want to make sure I hook this up currectly. My first question is do I have to run a line from the negative post on the battery to the bus bar, or can I just install the bus bar and run the negative wires from the stereo and lights, etc to that bar? On the ones I've looked at, I don't see an input terminal or anything like that where I would bring a line from the battery in so I didn't know if I could just screw the bar in under the console and that was it?
My second question then would be, do I just run a line from the positive post on the battery to the (pre-wired) switch panel's positive lead and then run the switch panel's negative lead to the bus bar? And then any devices I can run the positive into the switch panel and the negative to the bus? [links]
My second question then would be, do I just run a line from the positive post on the battery to the (pre-wired) switch panel's positive lead and then run the switch panel's negative lead to the bus bar? And then any devices I can run the positive into the switch panel and the negative to the bus?
[links]
Whether you are a novice boater, a seasoned seafarer, or a boat manufacturer, you know the importance of outfitting vessels with the best and most reliable equipment on the market. Regulations written by the ABYC detail the many pitfalls that boat owners and manufacturers suffer when making decisions about electrical components – wiring, in particular.
Rocker switches are the spring-loaded switches that are used widely in both household, professional, and recreational equipment, (i.e., the switches on a power strip). Many switch panel manufacturers offer a variety of different rocker switch styles, including night-readable etched rockers and simple and economical printed rockers. more
Once all of the above considerations have been assessed, you are now ready to zero-in on the switch panel features the vessel requires the most.
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But - You can also go on the website, register the boat to you as the new owner (a good idea as it gets you on the mailing list) and download the owners manual. The owners manual has a full wiring schematic.
But - You can also go on the website, register the boat to you as the new owner (a good idea as it gets you on the mailing list) and download the owners manual. The owners manual has a full wiring schematic. more
GW Customer Care is 252-752-2111 more
Any help on approxiamtely what fuse for each of these would be great. more
I have bought all new gauges, switches and a new 14 gang fuse block with ground bar for it. (here from Iboats)
I have bought all new gauges, switches and a new 14 gang fuse block with ground bar for it. (here from Iboats) here
Owners manuals for each of the items will list MAX current draw. Fuse about 10% above that but NEVER higher than the ampacity of the wire feeding the accessory. But here are some estimates.