Replacing an old fuse box w/new fuse box.....

[fishin couillon]

Is it better to have longer wires from battery to fuse box or longer wires for accessories to fuse box??

Looking at installing box at rod box/console or in bilge area next to battery.

[dmackaravitz]

I would say easier to do longer wire to fuse box. Only have to run one set (power and ground) of them to the fuse block, make it big enough to handle your expected draw 8awg probably good for graphs and accessories. And fuse it properly at the battery.

Then from the fuse block you wont have to use as big of wire to each of the units.

If you went longer wires from the fuse block, each set of wires would have to be larger gauge, and you would have to run several wires the longer length.

[ezfishn]

I installed a fuse block in stbd rod locker (aft bulkhead) and only had to run one set of power wires (ground/12v) to that and used 8 gauge wire. It was easier then to run power from that location to individual accessories and used 10 gauge for that. The fuse block is fused back at the battery in bilge.

[catdude28]

If i were doing it, the fuse box would be in the rigging area. The longer run would be from the bow and console to the fuse box, and the short run from fuse box to battery. This is one of the best and cleanest set ups I have seen.

69CA5751-4660-4AAF-A5A9-AFBA1135CBEE_zpscvglddt8.jpg

[Lowerider58]

I ran 10 gauge wire from the batteries to the fuse panel in the front storage compartment. I then wired the units with 12 gauge to the panel. I wouldn’t want to run wiring the length of the boat each time I wanted to add something to my setup.

[ezfishn]

IMG_0635.jpg

[catdude28]

IMG_0635.jpg

Nice rigging job

[ezfishn]

Thanks

[wmitch2]

I added a new fuse block in the front right locker to run all my graphs to so they would have a direct line to the Battery and not connected to a gang block under the dash or in the bow. 10 AWG from the Battery and 12 AWG to each graph.

[Ed R]

I put mine under the console with a manual breaker next to the battery. I can kill all power to breaker box at the end of the day by manually tripping the breaker. IIRC I used 8ga to the breaker box.

One Lowrance HDS Gen3, two Lowrance HDS Carbons, one Lowrance SS3D, power to N2K system with point 1 antenna.

[rat0502]

I added a new fuse block in the front right locker to run all my graphs to so they would have a direct line to the Battery and not connected to a gang block under the dash or in the bow. 10 AWG from the Battery and 12 AWG to each graph.

I really like the looks of your setup, but that seems like a lot of amps for 10ga wire. How long is the run? I ran 10ga to the console, about 12', and I was figuring I should only fuse about 20 Amps (at 3% drop)? Not being critical, just trying to learn.

[fishin couillon]

Thanks for the pics and info........don't mind running extra wire.....The thing is my console is enclosed so if I need to add to fuse box I have to remove the shroud every time. Putting it in the rear would eliminate that and easier to get to. Just trying to see if it was an issue with the longer wires to the box in rear.....

[wmitch2]

I really like the looks of your setup, but that seems like a lot of amps for 10ga wire. How long is the run? I ran 10ga to the console, about 12', and I was figuring I should only fuse about 20 Amps (at 3% drop)? Not being critical, just trying to learn.

Probably about 15' from the battery to the fuse block. It's a 20'5" boat, so then only 4' to the two graphs at the console and maybe 6' to the one at the bow. Haven't had any issues and no fluctuation on the graphs when starting the big motor even at the end of a long day (10-12 hrs) on the water. I run a Raymarine 7es at the bow and a Raymarine 9 Axiom Pro RV and Lowrance HDS 5 at the console.

[fishin couillon]

Mitch, looking at your pics, i'm wondering how is your fuse box still working with the broken positive and negative terminals......are you having any power issues with this??


Fuse Block.PNG

[wmitch2]

Mitch, looking at your pics, i'm wondering how is your fuse box still working with the broken positive and negative terminals......are you having any power issues with this??


Fuse Block.PNG

They're not broken, they're '"Twisted". They were just a straight ring that I twisted to make the wire run to the side of the block instead of straight into it. There is no break in it.

[Jonestrollingmotor]

I suggest putting it in the console area and stay away from the battery compartment. The gassing of batteries while they are charging could cause the fuse block to deteriorate prematurely.
John

[fishin couillon]

That's a good point......