Re-wiring my 26' Imperial cruiser

[John Dismang]

I've got a 26' Imperial 260FC and I am having trouble getting the fridge to work on DC. It is an AC/DC fridge so I know it is supposed to work but it's not. I have other things not working also but I have looked everywhere I can fit my head and cannot find a DC panel that operates all of the electronic things inside. I am thinking of just running new wire completely to the inside but I'm not sure what I will need. I know how to wire but never done a boat so I'm not sure if they are different. I would like to run the power to a fuse panel in the cabin below where the AC panel is. Does anyone have any input on this. Thanks in advance.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Re-wiring my 26' Imperial cruiser

John,

Welcome to iboats. I suggest you re-post this question over to the Electrics, Electronics and Trolling Motors section. They will be able to help you out for sure.

I would search again for the DC panel or the DC switches contolling those items. The frig should have an AC switch and a DC switch.

A few bits of information you will need to gather:

1. DC current draw (amps) of the frig
2. Distance from batteries (wire run length)
3. How are your batteries configured switch wise.

 

[John Dismang]

Re: Re-wiring my 26' Imperial cruiser

Thank You Greg I will do that. It is operating on one house battery and one cranking battery but I would like to upgrade it to a 24v system. The fridge is a Norcold Tek2 and it has no switch inside other than the on off switch. I haven't taken it out of the cabinet it is in but I wouldn't think I would have to do that to change from AC to DC. From the batteries to the AC panel is about 15' or so. There is a switch on the batteries but I have found that even if I have the switch off(or what should be off) the lights still work in the cabin like normal. The motor won't crank is the only thing that won't work. Bilges and all still work.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Re-wiring my 26' Imperial cruiser

Thank You Greg I will do that. It is operating on one house battery and one cranking battery but I would like to upgrade it to a 24v system. The fridge is a Norcold Tek2 and it has no switch inside other than the on off switch. I haven't taken it out of the cabinet it is in but I wouldn't think I would have to do that to change from AC to DC. From the batteries to the AC panel is about 15' or so. There is a switch on the batteries but I have found that even if I have the switch off(or what should be off) the lights still work in the cabin like normal. The motor won't crank is the only thing that won't work. Bilges and all still work.

Sorry, I meant that for the frig, not actually on the frig, there shoupd be a sparate AC switch and a DC switch. Another words there should be a Frig breaker/switch on the AC panel. Then somewhere else there should be a frig DC switch, maybe at the helm or part of a separate DC breaker panel. The frig is designed to automatically switch from DC to AC when AC is applied to the unit.