Posted by kamie on 05/05/08 - 5:00 PM
#2
AJR wrote:
I want to install a positive and a negative buss bar located in the center console. Can I mearly run a postive and negative wire from the battery terminal to the two buss bars ????
I plan on running a fuse/switch panel off the buss bars I install in the center console. I'll run seperate (stand alone) wires from the battery to the radio.
AJR
Why, Why, Why? You are over complicating the whole wiring? Do either a bus bar or a fuse panel (with negative) but both, not necessary. Also, why run a separate set of wires for the radio, back to the battery. Do a run of 10 gauge wire from the battery to the console. Put an inline 30Amp fuse on the positive wire at the battery end. Then wire the console end to a fuse panel. From the fuse panel wire all the electronics such as VHF, stereo, lights and GPS with 16 gauge wire. How many things do you need to wire, if more than 6, do two runs of 10 gauge and 2 fuse panels or use ATC fuses that BlueSea makes in a 12 fuse panel.
On my 18, I have two runs of 10 gauge to two 30amp breakers I use as master on/off switches and from there to two fuse panels. I run everything off those fuse panels, including two 16 gauge wire runs back to the bilge pumps.
Your engine is hooked to the battery (assuming a single battery) and that should charge the battery with the engine running.