MacGregorSailors.com

Just to clarify my specific situation...which I guess led to this prolonged discussion on circuit breakers vs. fuses and AC vs DC...

I am DC only...no shorepower and no immediate plans for shorepower. I would tell you that I plan to use a pigtail and heavy-duty/outdoor extension cord to run AC from a shorepower outlet on the dock to a power-strip in my cabin...but many of you would get all excited about how bad an idea that is...so I won't mention it.

All I am attempting to do is get more "switches" in my cabin for all the various electric/electronic components I plan to install...the 4 original were not enough in my mind. The recommendation I got was the 8-switch panel from Bluesea Systems and it has circuit breakers.

Seems fairly straight forward to me that I can disconnect the wires in my current panel and plug them into the new panel. And then run the wires for the new components (radio, stereo, AP) to the panel and hook them up. To be honest I am not very smart on fuses and circuit breakers and the differences or benefits of one over the other. But the panel with circuit breakers seems relatively easy to install.

But I have time...wont' be back with my boat before this Summer. I will continue to research my options. Thanks to all for your words of wisdom and advice. Keep it coming.

Cheers,
Jim

I get a lot of ideas and tips from caravan, camper, 4WD touring and motorhome forums, some of them do go over the top.

As yet we haven't looked at changing over the panel or fuses, it will be looked at later after the solar panel has been added into the mix, (that could be very soon) I like to keep things simple, we shall have a very small 12DC-240VAC inverter at hand for charging mobile phones or camcorder batteries, no microwave, electric coffee maker, air conditioner, etc for us.

Keep us posted with what you do, pics as well if possible.

Glenn

Jim, Since you have some time before you get into your wiring project, you might want to read up on some 12V info, before you start. These two web pages provide some basic 12V info. They are not a, do all end all, 12V wiring bible, however, I think they will provide you with a good overview of wiring 12V systems. They are not directed at marine applications, rather RV applications, however, like Mutt said, the RV sites do offer some good information. And, in reality, Macs are simply RVs on the water!

http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volta.htm

Good luck.
Pat

Pat,

Thanks for the links. I will read them tonight...that's all I do now-a-days...read/research about sailing and boat modifications/repairs. I also have a book which I eagerly bought and read about 2 years ago when I first got my boat.

Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual

I remember that it has a section on electrical systems. I will dig it out, dust it off, and read it again as well.

Cheers,
Jim

Jim, All of Don Casey's books are a wealth of information. I might suggest his book on sailboat electrical systems "Sailboat Electrics Simplified". It's not expensive(about $15.00 on Amazon) and it will answer any questions you might have.

Pat

Here are a few sites dealing with setting up multiple battery systems, solar, etc.

http://www.redarc.com.au/
http://www.campertrailers.org/solar_spreadsheet.htm
http://www.allabout12volt.com.au/
http://www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Electrics/Default.aspx
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/electrical-systems/

Sometimes I'll Google terms like "wiring up 12v switch panels" , "caravan 12v battery system" or anything else that comes to mind and see what comes up under both Web and Image.

We are Plastic and Vinyl Repairers and do a lot of repair work for Caravan Repairers, Motorhome Manufacturers and Bus and Coach manufacturers and repairers, I'm constantly asking questions to the sparkies, installers and builders, the owner of a Caravan Repair Business even supplies Parts, Lights, Batteries and very soon solar panels at the price he is charged .... very good savings.

Glenn

Hummmmmmmmmmm I disagree with a couple felows here .
In as much as to say a Mac is NOT an RV on water ! Our electrics require IMHO having recently been there and seen that ..... a lot more than any RVer ever dreamed of and if you choose to add/ raise the bar with adding salt water ?? Its the difference between a Model T and a Viper! IMHO Read up about Marine applications!!!!BTW !!!!!! Over All........... Home Depot is NOT where you shop for boat stuff .... but to each his own Its your money spend it as you wish.

Divecoz wrote:Hummmmmmmmmmm I disagree with a couple felows here .
In as much as to say a Mac is NOT an RV on water ! Our electrics require IMHO having recently been there and seen that ..... a lot more than any RVer ever dreamed of and if you choose to add/ raise the bar with adding salt water ?? Its the difference between a Model T and a Viper! IMHO Read up about Marine applications!!!!BTW !!!!!! Over All........... Home Depot is NOT where you shop for boat stuff .... but to each his own Its your money spend it as you wish.

Your Home Depot sounds like our Bunnings, I wouldn't buy electrical for marine use there, tubing, bolts and a few things like that are no problem. I said earlier that I get ideas as to what others are doing from these sites then adapt as to my requirements the goodies I like, I don't believe in buying the cheaper option to then replace it in 12 months time because it died/rusted/corroded when for not many more dollars you get the marine item.



Glenn

Divecoz wrote:Hummmmmmmmmmm I disagree with a couple felows here .
In as much as to say a Mac is NOT an RV on water ! Our electrics require IMHO having recently been there and seen that ..... a lot more than any RVer ever dreamed of and if you choose to add/ raise the bar with adding salt water ?? Its the difference between a Model T and a Viper! IMHO Read up about Marine applications!!!!BTW !!!!!! Over All........... Home Depot is NOT where you shop for boat stuff .... but to each his own Its your money spend it as you wish.

Good grief. My comment about "RV on water" was my attempt at humor. Sorry if it so offended you, I did not expect it to be taken literally. I think my reference to purchasing a copy of Don Casey's book on sailboat electrics should indicate to you that I do not advocate the use of non-marine products or procedures!!

As far as your comment on Home Depot, I have re-read this thread and I can find no reference to purchasing components at Home Depot. Now having said that, I do buy many items at Home Depot for my boat. Items like, marine epoxy glue, stainless steel fasteners, aluminum rivets, denatured alcohol for my stove, tie down straps, curtain snaps, cleaning supplies, fiberglass resin and many other things......but NOT electrical items. I choose not to enrich the local boat robbers every time I go looking for boat supplies. So yes, it is my money and I shop accordingly!!
Pat

MadMacX wrote:... I do buy many items at Home Depot for my boat. Items like, marine epoxy glue, stainless steel fasteners, aluminum rivets, denatured alcohol for my stove, tie down straps, curtain snaps, cleaning supplies, fiberglass resin and many other things......but NOT electrical items. I choose not to enrich the local boat robbers every time I go looking for boat supplies. ...

I agree, Pat - I buy lots of stuff at Lowes or HD, just not stuff that will need to be 'marine-grade'.

Most of the SS stuff at Home Depot is junk - fine for fresh water, will corrode out pdq in salt water, based on my experience. Ive seen a fair number of fasteners labelled SS that were some alloy Ive never seen before...

After doing more research I am now leaning towards this panel.

Blue Sea WeatherDeck™ Water Resistant Fuse Panel

...and it is not from HD or Lowes...

It is a fuse panel that comes with 8 switches versus 5 (with room for 8 ) in the circuit breaker panel so I don't have to buy any additional breakers. I don't really see any big difference, in my proposed useage situation, between using fuses over circuit breakers, but I think this one will fit the bill for me. And it is cheaper by about $20 plus the cost of 2 or three additional CBs.

And I plan to go for white as my marine stereo that I bought is white and I will get a white VHF...which I am also still researching.

But I haven't pulled the trigger yet. Any last minute pros/cons over a fuse panel versus a circuit breaker panel?

Thanks again to all for your inputs. Dreamers like me appreciate them.

Cheers,
Jim

Jim,

I am not sure if you would consider this a plus or minus to having the fuse panel your looking at now, but I have the 5 fuse model and really like it. The one thing it does that is cool is the lighting is either green or red under the label area that discribes what the switch is powering. If there is a negative at all it is that if you forget to turn off your Perko type switch assuming you have one, there will be a power draw at all times. I guess the draw is minimal , maybe the lights are even led (kinda think they are) but just something to take into consideration. I only use a couple of the fuses right now and unless there is something attached to the fuse the lights are off, once in a circuit the lights operate but at all times unless power is removed.

Gary

Gary,

Copy that. I don't consider that an issue for this. Worst case if I did leave the main battery switch on I would drain one of my two batteries. Still have the second battery in reserve. Of course that would not be good for that battery but I shouldn't be completely stranded.

Thanks,
Jim

c130king wrote:Gary,

Copy that. I don't consider that an issue for this. Worst case if I did leave the main battery switch on I would drain one of my two batteries. Still have the second battery in reserve. Of course that would not be good for that battery but I shouldn't be completely stranded.

Thanks,
Jim

I'm putting in a Voltage Sensitive Relay (VSR), the cranking battery charges first then the second battery is charged, when the charging source is turned off the batteries are disconnected from each other.



This one is made by BEP Marine.

Another alternative is a power switch to disconnect the batteries from each other preserving the cranking batteries charge till you need it or allowing the second battery to jump start the cranking battery.



Glenn