Electrical question

[Reckless]

  I want to add another fuse block. I want to pick up the ground and hot from the block that is there. Is this OK to do?

  Putting battery switch to off will kill everything correct? Except bilge.
 
  Right now there is a separate ground and hot running from battery 2 to power GPS, FF etc. I want to eliminate this to avoid leaving something on and draining the battery.

Thanks in advance for the help!!
 

[Jeffish]

Instead of having another fuse block, you can install a master kill switch. Could look like this.


[- +] ------[kill]------[fuse]------

A switch like this maybe.

[Capt. Mike]

Hey Reckless,

You can put another fuse block in parallel with the existing one, providing the wires feeding it can support the additional loads. Not sure what gauge wire and load you are drawing! As far as the switch killing everything else, well again that depends on how things are wired. You should always check your work with a volt meter before you begin wiring. I would also consider doing all wiring projects with the battery disconnected, just to insure you don’t put anything at risk.

Good Luck!

[Reckless]

 I don't think the draw would be that much. FF,Gps and radio. Those 3 items right now have in line fuses.
I don't see a need for a kill switch since the one for the batteries kills everything but the bilge. Or am I missing something about a second kill switch?
Thanks for the help!!!

[wb]

FF and VHF transmitters can draw some signifigant current, some of the high power ones like 10 or 15A @12V. Make sure the new block has its own supply wire, or if not, what was said before- make sure the supply to the existing block that you tap from is adequately sized.

One main battery kill switch should be adequate as long as it's wired correctly.

[Capt. Mike]

I don't think the draw would be that much. FF,Gps and radio. Those 3 items right now have in line fuses.
I don't see a need for a kill switch since the one for the batteries kills everything but the bilge. Or am I missing something about a second kill switch?
Thanks for the help!!!

If you already have a switch, you do not need to add one. I did get from your post that you had one already, that's why I never mentioned adding one.

What you have to take in account: is the load that you have now, and the load you are adding. It does not matter weather or not there is an inline fuse, just because there might be one does not mean that the draw is not of any quantity. The wire you have feeding the existing fuse block could be close to its capacity already. Adding more to it could cause an overload that could make your feeder catch fire. If none of this is making any sense to you, you might want to see if you can get a buddy to help you with your project that has a better understanding of loads and electrical systems.

[IrishAyes]

I can vouch for the Raymarine C-series electronics and their voltage sensativity.

When I crank my engine the radar will turn off during this process. Raymarine says that it is an inconvenience and will not harm the electronics but, I will have the system changed during spring commissioning this year.

[Tacklebox Joe]

Jawz or anyone who can help me,
After reading the posts here think my wires are wrong, not sure. I have a Grady. I use a Garmin 545s (are they considered high voltage like the raymarine?)I have one deep cycle batt and one cranking batt. I have all wires to deep cycle. I have a 2 way battery switch to both batteries. When in off position everything is cut but bilge and my vhf. When starting her up I put switch in the #2 (crank batt) position then switch to the deep (#1). Should I move some wires around i.e. radios, gps, ff?

[Reckless]

I don't think the draw would be that much. FF,Gps and radio. Those 3 items right now have in line fuses.
I don't see a need for a kill switch since the one for the batteries kills everything but the bilge. Or am I missing something about a second kill switch?
Thanks for the help!!!

If you already have a switch, you do not need to add one. I did get from your post that you had one already, that's why I never mentioned adding one.

What you have to take in account: is the load that you have now, and the load you are adding. It does not matter weather or not there is an inline fuse, just because there might be one does not mean that the draw is not of any quantity. The wire you have feeding the existing fuse block could be close to its capacity already. Adding more to it could cause an overload that could make your feeder catch fire. If none of this is making any sense to you, you might want to see if you can get a buddy to help you with your project that has a better understanding of loads and electrical systems.

I do understand that if load is exceeds the capacity of the feeder it wouldn't be safe. I need to add up the draw on the existing cable before adding more to it. Or as someone else suggested add a feeder from the switch to the new block. Which sounds like the best way to go.

Thanks all for your help!!!

[IrishAyes]

I hope to have that done before the season starts. 

[Tacklebox Joe]

thanks Jawz, in your opinion what should I do if anything?

[Jeffish]

Jawz or anyone who can help me,
After reading the posts here think my wires are wrong, not sure. I have a Grady. I use a Garmin 545s (are they considered high voltage like the raymarine?)I have one deep cycle batt and one cranking batt. I have all wires to deep cycle. I have a 2 way battery switch to both batteries. When in off position everything is cut but bilge and my vhf. When starting her up I put switch in the #2 (crank batt) position then switch to the deep (#1). Should I move some wires around i.e. radios, gps, ff?

I always thought it'd best to have a battery dedicated to starting, and another for running electronics, just like you have.

I've been proven wrong many, many times before.

Jawz seems to have this post pretty locked down. I'm liking the information in here!

[Tacklebox Joe]

how do I properly correct that?

[Tacklebox Joe]

thanks again jawz, printed post for future reference. I think I'll try this out when I can. So I need another battery switch and a sense relay, right? Separate the feeds and interconnect the ground. got it. Where does the sense relay go? fyi, have an onboard battery charger hooked up to both batteries does this change anything?

[Tacklebox Joe]

thanks again for all the advice, greatly appreciated

[Stray Cat]

Check out blue seas site, add a battery



http://bluesea.com/category/2/productline/overview/329

[Maritime Matt]

smart play is to run an additional set of wires for that fuse block...run the power,from the battery switch,the "common" terminal,then,through an in line fuse,then to the fuse block,run the ground from the main ground junction to the fuse block...
reason for this is simple,some of the newer electronics,a raymarine "c" series,for example,is a very voltage sensitive set-meaning,you need the correct voltage,running a feed to a fuse block in this manner,you have clean voltage...some boats,parkers,and grady's are an example of this,these use 1 power feed for the entire 12v system,everything runs from this,it often causes problems,such as electronics dropping off when the engines are cranked...
make sure to use a marine grade fuse block-blue seas makes an excellent choice...be sure to use  "tinned" marine grade wire,big difference in marine grade and cheap automotive copper...use heat shrink and marine grade connectors as well-i prefer ancor connectors and heat shrink...

running wires from battery switches:
only run "feed" wires from the battery switch,do not connect anything to batteries,except for battery cables...using the "common" terminal on the battery switch means,the power is on when the switch is in an on position,and,it's off when the switch is off...allways use an inline fuse when feeding something like a fuse block,from a battery switch,this assures protection from the power source-ABYC codes call for everything to be fused...i prefer and use ancor water proof inline fuse holders,"atc" style fuses...

This is the way I do it as well.

[wb]

nice offer Jimmy 

[Tacklebox Joe]

thanks jimmy. would if i could. i have to work 

[IrishAyes]

I can hopefully be there on Saturday. I do have a few issues I have to deal with here before I can definately commit. I will know by Wednesday. Jim, will that be enough lead time for you?