Help with wiring diagram!

JDamery

Cadet
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
9
Hello all, it's been a couple years since I posted, and even for that matter I have worked on my boat. I'm finally back to the point where I can continue with it. I am in need of some knowledgeable people that can tell me if my wiring diagram is correct or not. I found a free online drawing program, and created this wiring diagram. All of the little thumbnail within my diagram are the actual things that I have. I am anxious to start getting the wiring completed. I am sorry if I don't use the correct terminology.

I have ancor wiring, from 2/0 all the way to 20awg. My alternator is a 70 amp, so I will be putting at least a 90 amp breaker on that line, I don't have that on my drawing. If there's anything else that I should add, please let me know.
Here's a picture of my diagram
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,066
Hello all, it's been a couple years since I posted, and even for that matter I have worked on my boat. I'm finally back to the point where I can continue with it. I am in need of some knowledgeable people that can tell me if my wiring diagram is correct or not. I found a free online drawing program, and created this wiring diagram. All of the little thumbnail within my diagram are the actual things that I have. I am anxious to start getting the wiring completed. I am sorry if I don't use the correct terminology.

I have ancor wiring, from 2/0 all the way to 20awg. My alternator is a 70 amp, so I will be putting at least a 90 amp breaker on that line, I don't have that on my drawing. If there's anything else that I should add, please let me know.
Here's a picture of my diagram
Your wire sizing makes no sense.

The only 2/0 required on a boat is between the motor (starter) and the battery.

Nothing less than 16 awg on a boat
 

alldodge

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Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,053
The Alternator output lead should be connected to the start Bat. Once start Bat has been recharged then the ACR will close and charge house Bats

Don't use a terminal block to connect ACR, connect ACR with direct leads from Bats. Also don't want a terminal block between Bat and starter, should be solid cable

ACR also recommends breakers between ACR and Bat, see Blue sea diagram
Blue Sea
 

JDamery

Cadet
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
9
Your wire sizing makes no sense.

The only 2/0 required on a boat is between the motor (starter) and the battery.

Nothing less than 16 awg on a boat
I have a 2000w inverter, just want to make sure i dont burn down my boat, so overkill most likely, but peace of mine for sure. Do you think I have the cables routed the proper way?
 

JDamery

Cadet
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
9
The Alternator output lead should be connected to the start Bat. Once start Bat has been recharged then the ACR will close and charge house Bats

Don't use a terminal block to connect ACR, connect ACR with direct leads from Bats. Also don't want a terminal block between Bat and starter, should be solid cable

ACR also recommends breakers between ACR and Bat, see Blue sea diagram
Blue Sea
Thank you for your input! I am confused, and I just want to make sure I get this right. From my understanding on other peoples comments on their post, I thought the charging source should be to the larger battery bank with an ACR? I am worried if I hook it up to the start battery, the ACR will do an on/off cycle continuously . Am I missing something? I have read and watched so many things that I am unsure of which way is the proper way. I have (2) 150 amp blue sea breakers being delivered today that I will put between the ACR in the batteries. I feel like I am almost there with the correct routing of the wires.
 

alldodge

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Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,053
I thought the charging source should be to the larger battery bank with an ACR? I am worried if I hook it up to the start battery, the ACR will do an on/off cycle continuously . Am I missing something?
The main purpose of the ACR is to make sure your motor can be started and get home. The ACR will disconnect from the house Bat (larger amp hour) after start Bat is charged ONLY if the house Bat has a problem, or if the Start Bat has a problem

I have read and watched so many things that I am unsure of which way is the proper way. I have (2) 150 amp blue sea breakers being delivered today that I will put between the ACR in the batteries. I feel like I am almost there with the correct routing of the wires.
Don't need 150 amp breakers because your ALT is just 70 amp. It won't hurt but is over kill
 
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ESGWheel

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 29, 2015
Messages
469
JDamery,
I have studied your wiring diagram and frankly its difficult to make sense of it, one issue is I cannot tell what all the devices are. And given the comments above coupled with your strong desire to do it correctly and be conservative, I suggest you reach out to an ABYC Certified Marine Electrician. It may cost you a couple of hundred bucks, after all they spend years gaining experience and certs, but in the long run its cheaper than filing an insurance claim for the fire that destroyed your boat that may be rejected when they find out the electrics were not to ABYC standards. I am not trying to be rude or condescending. You even mention do not want to burn it down.

I will PM you with a link to a website where the gent says he is an “ABYC Certified Marine Electrical Systems Specialist.” I have no idea if he does private work or if he will even respond. But it’s a start and if no joy, doing a web search for other Marine Electricians should result in finding someone.
 

JustJason

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 27, 2007
Messages
5,320
Sooo... I am an ABYC certified marine electrician... that diagram is all wrong. Please reach out to somebody in person to create a diagram for you or wire your boat so that you do not have a fire. It won't be cheap but it will be right, as an example I bill out at 175 an hour personally here in SWFL, which is a deal compared to say Marine Max, who is 240 an hour, and can't do anything right. I'm attaching a couple of diagrams from the 2023 version of E11. The wiring will still need sizing, but the diagrams should get you pointed in the right direction.
 
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