Fuse block/bus bars

[iceman3500]

I recently purchased a 1987 Carver 3207. I want to put some 12 volt audio/video and probably a 12 volt lighter plug in the main salon. What is the best way to route the wiring? I was thinking of a fuse block/bus bar combo in the engine bay and then run all the + and - leads to that rather than everything separately back to the batteries. Some leads need constant power and some need switched power for the head unit. Any thoughts on that? Are fuse block/bus bars capable of handling the heavier guage wires needed for a power amp?

I'd like to do the same to the bridge eventually running a separate stereo up there and powering a GPS chart plotter. I would assume I could do the same sort of layout up there in order to keep the wiring fairly simple and neat?

Go easy, I'm still learning and electrical is not my strong suit by any means.

Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fuse block/bus bars

Your boat should already have positive and negative feeds to both upper and lower locations as well as a fuse panel. However, high power stereo systems need separate feeds directly to the battery bank that will power the system. In-line cirxuit breakers or fuses should be used in that system because of the sizes required.

 

[iceman3500]

Re: Fuse block/bus bars

Hey thanks, Silvertip.

A couple other NOOB questions. My boat has twin crusaders and a 6.5 kw generator. The electrical panel allows you to switch from shore power to generator power. The boat has a Professional Marine 35 amp 120 volt AC charger. If I'm on shore power but still putting a draw on the 12 volt system (stereo, lights, etc.), will this charge the house batteries? If I'm on the lake under power, will the engine's alternators charge the house batteries? Does the generator charge the house batteries if it is running? The fridge is a 12vdc/120vac Norcold. Will it switch on it's own? There isn't an inverter/charger on the boat. Can I swap out the charger on there now for a newer inverter charger and be able to wire it into the panel so that I would have 120 volt power from the house batteries while under way?

Thanks again.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fuse block/bus bars

If you are on shore power and the ac charger is functional the batteries will be charging and you wull be able to power 12 volt circuits so long as the current draw does not exceed the output of the charger. If the charger is powered by the genset the same applies. Don't know if your fridge switces on its own Look for a user manual on line. You can add an inverter charger to provide ac under way but that is a rather inefficient way to get 120 volts ac. You have a genset. Thats what it's for.