Wiring my 16' runabout, review my plan.

I'm just about ready to start my wiring, I been reading some threads, looking at amp/wire size charts, but before I order my materials I thought I would bounce my plan off the forum.

The boat: 1966 Starcraft 16 ft Aluminum Runabout.
The Motor: 1967 Mercury 650 , 4 cyl. (have not started work on it yet, not sure if it has an alternator or not)

The plan:
1 six gang fuse block, w/ negitive bus, (glass or ATC, undecided yet,)
4 switches, one button
LED lights, bow/stern, plus a couple courtesy lights. 1 circut, 3 switches - 15 amps
Bilge pump 1000 gph. 1 circut - 10 amps - 1 switch
12 volt accessorry plug/cig lighter. 1 circut - 20 amps
Fish Locator. 1 circut, 6 amps
Horn. 1 circut 1 button (unless I can put it some where else?)
Future. 1 circut
Future. 1 circut

Question? Do I need to fuse the main power source from the battery to the fuse block? If so, do I size that to the battery? or to the panel?

I think that the fuse block should go under bow some where. Which means I need to run cable up (unless I stick a second battery up in the front of the bow to power the electrical accessories, lights, locator, accessory plug, and horn, and whatever future items I add later).

#8 or #10 for powering the block (if I don't use a second battery).
#12 for everything else should be plenty big, keeping it simple.

Do I have this right??

Restore thread:http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=364174&highlight=66+nassau

Thanks
tgp**

Re: Wiring my 16' runabout, review my plan.

Ayuh,... I ran a red,+ black wire(10ga) from the battery switch to the helm area in plastic conduit...
There it joins the fuse block,+ ground buss...
All other wiring is 14ga. or smaller, depending on what it's powering...

Re: Wiring my 16' runabout, review my plan.

12 gauge wire is way overkill on all branch circuits.
6 amps is too much fuse for a locator (generally).
ATC fuses are suggested.
Yes you need a breaker or fuse at the battery for the feed to the fuse panel.
You cannot fuse for the battery. You fuse for the expected load. Since you are putting a 20 amp fuse in the aux outlet, you must anticipate a 15 amp load at some point so the protection for the feed must be at least 20 amps. In other words that fuse must be sized for the panel load (what the panel will draw if everything is running at the same time).

Re: Wiring my 16' runabout, review my plan.

Ok, lets see if I understand this correctly. An in line fuse like this -Maxi Fuse Inline Fuse Holder w 8 AWG leads up to 60A, or similar.

(fuse it to what the total of what my block is , locate just off battery some where, or can this be located under the bow with the Fuse Block? Minimum 10 gauge wire from the battery to the Fuse Block.
Why do you incase the lead wire to the block in tubing/pipe?

The battery switch I assume is optional, however, they do make a post mount switch thats not too expensive. Moroso Performance 74103 - Battery Cable Disconnect Switch 12/24V , Rotary, 100 Continuous Amps Rating


14 gauge wire will now be my max wire size needed for any accessory I intend to use from the fuse block (ATC type fuse perfered) to any accessory (bilge and stern light being the farthest away.

Thanks guys, good info is always appreciated.