Wiring up a boat

[IndyEFI500]

I have decided that it is time to update my humble little fourteen footer. I want to wire in all the gadgets properly instead of just wires every where. My question is, what size and type of fuse should I put in on the main line from the battery? Then also what size fuse for the trolling motor? I probably won't use fuses but breakers instead. If anyone has any ideas, throw them my way.

[BobT]

Your fuse and/or circuit breaker sizes will depend on the wire size(s) used for each circuit and the size of wire you use is dependent on the load rating of the device you are supplying. I suggest you contact someone with electrical experience to help out. If you oversize a fuse or circuit breaker you risk a fire in your boat and that would not be fun. If you undersize you will have problems with nuisance tripping.

Bob

[IndyEFI500]

Thanks Bob. That is why I am asking now instead of fighting fires or frustration later. Wire size is not a problem. I had some spare wire at work. It is from Japan and I would guess it to be around number two. This runs from my battery to my terminal block. I now need to add a fuse or breaker at the battery ( I think at least ) and then breakers for trolling motor, lights, electrnoics, etc...

[Lindy Lee]

I would go to West Marine in Mtka. They are a little pricey, but the do have most everyhting that you will need. As for the amp sizes that you need your owners manuals will tell you what sizes you need. I have a Lund that when I fished at night with all the lights on & electronics on everything would flicker, so I installed a new fuss block with 10 ga. wire back to the battery & ran all the electronics back to that new fuss block. All the problems went away. Seems Lund is too cheap to run the right size wire from the factory. As for the wire from the electronics to the fuss block I went to Menards & bought a roll of 16 ga speaker wire. Worked Great. Have fun with the project.

[sparcebag]

Your trolling motor need a fuse befor? probbaly not uh.I'm doing mine right now.I ran 12 wire main and spliced off with 14 or 16 fused at the implement.My lcd calls for 2.5 amp fuse I located it at the mount out of site but accessable for replacement. running lights hot no switch fused by each mount no confusion of which fuse to check bulbs are 3 amp I used 2.5 amp fuse blow fuse befor bulb.subpump calls for 2.5 amp fuse pump is float or switch activated 2 fuses located @ switch floor lites 2.5 amp bulbs 3 amp wait If you need a diagram I may help 12 volt is easy ground most important.

[The_Duckslayer]

I have always put the fuse as close to the battery as possible. That way if the wire gets chaffed it will blow the fuse at the source. Just my .02 Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[bigb56303]

LINDY LEE not to say that the speaker wire wont work, but the insulation isnt rated for running alot of current through it, i wouldnt recomend it work power wiring in a boat, the insulation isnt very good and nicks easily, just looking at it from a saftey stand point, of course i am a electrician so its in my nature