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Thread: Boat Wiring Summary

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    Charleston
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    Default Boat Wiring Summary

    I have searched the site and found a ton of information on boat wiring. The following summary is my understanding:

    1) Run positive and negative, minimum 8 awg, from the battery to a fuse block
    (looking at this one with a negative bus bar built in: https://www.discountmarinesupplies.c...se_Blocks.html)

    2) From each fuse in the block, run single wires to individual switches on the switch panel (something like: https://www.wholesalemarine.com/blue...el-6-position/)
    I will daisy chain the negatives in the switch panel back to the built in bus of the fuse block.

    3) From each switch, run single wires to each accessory (no daisy chaining positive wires).

    4) From each accessory, run ground back to the built in bus of the fuse block and completing the circuit.

    For my depth finder, I am planning on running that straight from the fuse block to the unit as it will not need a switch.

    Does this thought process seem correct?

    Also, is an onboard charger necessary? I am repowering my boat with a 25 tiller pull start that will not charge the batter.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
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    Moncks Corner
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    Default

    Pretty decent summary but I would suggest a heavy fuse or breaker right at the battery terminal to protect the 8 gauge wire. Otherwise, if you have a fault on that wire it'll really burn hot. Something like this...

    https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syst...gateway&sr=8-5
    Ephesians 2 : 8-9



    Charles Barkley: Nobody doesn't like meat.

  3. #3
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    Nov 2008
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    Charleston
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    Default

    Thanks, I didn't think about that!

  4. #4
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    Default

    What size MRBF fuse would I need? I would think it needs to be on the smaller end of the spectrum so the fuse would go before the wire got too hot.

    https://www.wholesalemarine.com/blue...terminal-fuse/

    FYI, I am powering bow/stern lights, bilge pump, 12V plug, and possibly flood lights.

  5. #5
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    Moncks Corner
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    Quote Originally Posted by skeeder62 View Post
    What size MRBF fuse would I need? I would think it needs to be on the smaller end of the spectrum so the fuse would go before the wire got too hot.

    https://www.wholesalemarine.com/blue...terminal-fuse/

    FYI, I am powering bow/stern lights, bilge pump, 12V plug, and possibly flood lights.
    I'd go with a 30A - that's should be 3x more than you need for all the above loads but still low enough to quickly blow if you do have a short on a 8 gauge wire.
    Last edited by Rubberhead*; 10-02-2019 at 01:22 PM.
    Ephesians 2 : 8-9



    Charles Barkley: Nobody doesn't like meat.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    28,018

    Default

    All the above.
    Should sticky this thread as folks always asking about this

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