Where to install fuse block

[JSGOLD]

On my 76 Starcraft the wiring will need some attention and I was wondering where the best place to install a fuse panel would be? Near the steering either in the side, under the wheel, or in the rear of the boat. When removing the batteries for the winter I noticed 4 sets of wires connected to the battery. It works but I see only one inline fuse holder, and not too keen about those wires flopping around 15 gallons of fuel down the road. I have plenty of wire loom, and have access to whatever I need but appreciate your thoughts on this. Probably a lot of spilces in there needing attention too. Kind of expected I guess after 32 years.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Where to install fuse block

I've been thinking about this myself. I'm not going to be doing anything major anytime soon, but do plan on adding a fuse block or circuit breaker panel at some point.

Putting the panel/block under the steering console is neat and tidy... BUT! If you have to get under there upside down during rough seas or in a storm, it could definitely be no fun. I'm starting to think that putting it with the batteries might be a better way to go, since my batteries are under the stern bench.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Where to install fuse block

The way my boat is set up, there are two batteries, one in front and one in rear. My thoughts on the block going in the back would be that there would still be a lot of wires back there near the tanks. My front battery takes care of trolling motor, the other takes care of everything else.

 

[skargo]

Re: Where to install fuse block

I mounted mine at my helm, tucked up out of the spray.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Where to install fuse block

i went even further than skargo. mine is up under the helm out of sight and out of mind...
so far, i've not had any issues with where i mounted it

 

[skargo]

Re: Where to install fuse block

I just wanted to add, mine is a blue sea, and has a nice cover, which you can see laying to the right in the 2nd pic. Can't see it from my seat.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Where to install fuse block

Nice! Can you use the same type of block as a car or do you have to have a marine type of block?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Where to install fuse block

Installing a fuse/breaker panel at the back of the boat by the batteries results in a worse wiring mess than installing it at the helm. You install a master breaker on the battery then run two 8 or 10 gauge wires (one red, one black) to the fuse/breaker panel. All accessories are then fed from the panel, not the back of the boat. Since most of the accessories are either at the helm or the bow of the boat anyway, this saves a bunch of wire and makes the entire system much more tidy. As for what to use, there are the old style glass fuse panels, the more modern auto type fuse panels, or circuit breaker panels. Use whatever lights your fire.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Where to install fuse block

think i went with 8 gage... don't forget to fuse the fuse panel at it's power source...

Can you use the same type of block as a car or do you have to have a marine type of block?

just pick up one of them blue sea ones skargo is talking about. they're made for boats...

i went with the spade (modern auto type) type.. it's a blue sea too... from iboats store...

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Where to install fuse block

I just wanted to add, mine is a blue sea, and has a nice cover, which you can see laying to the right in the 2nd pic. Can't see it from my seat.

Bought that same one just today at Acadamey

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Where to install fuse block

Yes, a mess is what I have now, LOL, so I would prefer up near the helm as well. I would assume "fuse at the source" and adding a"main breaker at the battery" are the same thing. My question is, what would I fuse it at (or what amperage breaker)? Any rule of thumb on a boat this size? Right now all she has is lights, horn, bilge pump, cigarette lighter, trolling motor(on separate battery) and nothing else I can think of. I plan on adding a sound system(basic with 2 speakers, maybe 4), a spot light, and an amp meter. Would 40 amps be a good starting point? 30?

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Where to install fuse block

BTW, red is hot, black is ground on these, right? I notice some yellow wires...what are those for??

 

[ziggy]

Re: Where to install fuse block

BTW, red is hot, black is ground on these, right?

yep, red is positive, black is negative or ground.

the yellow wires are my horn. aristocrafts didn't come with a horn. so, whoever owned it before me put the horn in. they used yellow wire for both sides. the yellow wires were scabbed onto existing dash components when i got the boat. i wanted them off the dash gauges, so when the new fuse box got installed, they got routed to that. i just never changed the color of the wires as it's a real simple circuit. fwiw, if ya look close at my 8 gauge negative wire, you'll note it's black taped... it's really a red wire as the fella i got the wire from didn't have any black on hand. so both ends got tapped black so i know which is which.. the extra fuse in my block ended up being a 12v cigarette lighter power source for a hand held spot light.. i still have 2 open circuits available..

side note before someone jumps on me. i should have also used marine sta-con connectors w/shrink tube. maybe i'll get around to it someday..

 

[skargo]

Re: Where to install fuse block

Yes, a mess is what I have now, LOL, so I would prefer up near the helm as well. I would assume "fuse at the source" and adding a"main breaker at the battery" are the same thing. My question is, what would I fuse it at (or what amperage breaker)? Any rule of thumb on a boat this size? Right now all she has is lights, horn, bilge pump, cigarette lighter, trolling motor(on separate battery) and nothing else I can think of. I plan on adding a sound system(basic with 2 speakers, maybe 4), a spot light, and an amp meter. Would 40 amps be a good starting point? 30?

Pretty sure I installed a 30A circuit breaker back by my battery switch, protecting this fuse block. I only have my GPS/chartplotter, VHF, and Stereo wired to the new fuse block, but I plan on rewiring some of the other circuits on the boat, as she's an old girl too.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Where to install fuse block

The purpose of the main breaker is to protect the run of wire between the battery and the panel. Since that is 8 or 10 guage, the fuse or breaker must be rated less than the current carrying capacity of the wire you use for that run (otherwise the wire becomes the fuse). Regardless -- a 30 amp breaker is plenty of protection since all of the things you connect to the fuse panel combined will not likely ever draw that much even if all were used at the same time. The fuses in the panel must be rated for the device that circuit protects. Most items on a boat will draw 5 amps or so so 5, and 7.5 amp fuses are adequate again depending on the load -- unless you decide to add an "oh my gosh" amplifier and a boat full of speakers.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Where to install fuse block

Thanks folks, great information. I have dealt with wiring a lot for houses and cars but boats are new to me. Is it normal for the batteries to be in different parts of the boat like mine, and is there any need to change that? One is by itself at the helm, wired into the plug for the trolling motor, and the other is at the rear of the boat, runs all other stuff. I see some have two batteries but usually together. Previous owner was going to try and tie them together so it would easier to charge but not sure if this is a big deal.
Also do you folks use tin plated wire or regular copper wire? I have read tin platted is preferred but I would think that is hard to come by. None of mine is that I can see. I work for an electrical distributor but tin plated wire is rarely used in our industry, but I might be able to locate some if need be.

 

[grego]

Re: Where to install fuse block

Near helm is logical placement. As you get older, you need reading glasses. Looking up from a laying position with wind and rain is tough. Mounting it under helm but on a wall,would be better. I would seperate batteries and buy a two bank charger.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Where to install fuse block

Some folks like to wire some accessories to the nearest battery but that is not always a good idea. Use the troller battery for the troller. Your accessories can be powered from the starting battery. Remember -- there are two wiring systems in a boat. 1) the boat harness which is the one you are adding and 2) the engine harness. All of the gauges, the engine warning system and the engine itself are powered from the engine harness that runs between the control box and the engine. If you ran everything at the helm off the troller battery you would need a separate switch to turn the gauges on and off which is not a practical system.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Where to install fuse block

Thanks folks! I will go over all of the wiring in both systems, repair any poorly spliced ones and use loom on the engine wiring, and rewire the other system as I can until all is to my liking. I will leave the troller battery alone but clean the terminals, check the wiring and replace as needed, and I assume I should fuse it someway....I don't think it is.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Where to install fuse block

Trolling motors are like any other accessory -- they need circuit protection. On really high current draw devices like a trolling motor, you need a circuit breaker. How big depends on how big the motor is. As a reference, most 40 - 55# thrust motors draw in the neighborhood of 40 - 50 amps. Therefore a 50 amp breaker is a starting point.