Electrical Distribution (DC) Panel Questions

[MadMacX]

Good advice KHE. Depending upon one's skill level, I would also suggest the use of a 12V test light or a MultiMeter. Far better to spend a little time checking your wiring, before you burn up that new piece of equipment. I also strongly recommend that a MultiMeter be part of your onboard tool kit. It's the best way to test your AC & DC electrical problems.

Pat

[The Mutt]

I find it best to run the positive and negative from the power source to the where the equipment is possitioned, passing the power lines through the fuse panel position, confirm that the equipment end has the correct polarity and voltage using a multimeter at the equipment end, when satisfied I then cut the + power line and connect it up to the fuse, if going through a panel that has a hot bar (where the power source + is live on one side of the fuse) just connect up to the other side of the fuse, I always re-check that every thing is OK with a multimeter before the equipment gets connected.

There is an old saying: The more expensive the equipment is the bigger chance it will blow to protect the 15 cent fuse!

Glenn

[c130king]

All,

Thanks for all the advice. After researching this topic for several weeks and changing my mind a few times I went ahead and ordered the Bluesea Weatherproof Fuse Panel (8-position) from Defender last night. I will hook it up this Summer and I hope that I can get it to work correctly.

Cheers,
Jim

[markh1f]

Jim,

Got the new panel installed yesterday, an easy job but definitely label all the wires before you take them off the old panel. The new panel is not as wide as the old panel so 2 of the original mounting screws were put back in to cover the holes.



Mark

[The Mutt]

Looks good Mark

Glenn

[c130king]

Mark,

It looks great. Do you remember about how much overlap between the edge of the hole in the fiberglass and the outer cover of the unit? I am thinking of making a wooden "frame" that would cover up those holes from the old unit. Based on your pictures I think a wooden frame about 1" wider than the outer cover would look about right. I would have to screw the inner piece to/through the wooden frame.

Thanks,
Jim

[markh1f]

Jim,

I was looking to do that if needed to cover the cutout from the original panel, but as it turned out the original cutout was quite a bit smaller than the original panel and I did not need it. I am planing on covering one of the original holes with a cigarette lighter type power outlet and I may mount a voltmeter to cover the other one eventually. I think 1 inch should do it if your going that route, I'll take some measurements next time I am on the boat and let you know if it needs to be larger.

Mark