Wiring Diagram Needed-1 Engine, 2 Switches, 3 Batteries

[sailingdog]

In general, the fuses are sized to protect the wiring. Unless you know the distance run and the gauge, you won't really have a good idea of what size fuse to use. As for the bus bars, that is pretty much determined by the size of the DC circuit breaker panel you're using.

[mitiempo]

Fuse sizing isn't critical as you are fusing for a short circuit and not overload. Anywhere from 100% to 150% of the wire rating. Here's a link that should help. Scroll down about halfway.
Choosing Circuit Protection - Resources - Blue Sea Systems

[sailingdog]

Yup...without knowing the run length and rough amperage load, there's no way to determine what size wire is being used or what the fuse size should be... need to get more info first.

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Fuse sizing isn't critical as you are fusing for a short circuit and not overload. Anywhere from 100% to 150% of the wire rating. Here's a link that should help. Scroll down about halfway.
Choosing Circuit Protection - Resources - Blue Sea Systems

[TeamDestructo85]

i picked up the boatowners illustrated electrical handbook last week. I'm about halfway through and its helped a lot. isbn 978-0-07-144644-0

i also picked up a good quality clamp ammeter. so now i can check to see if something is working without pulling it off and dragging it to the electrical place.

the PO of my boat had her wired for 16 batteries in 4 seperate banks with redundant everything... so i have a lot of learnin to do.

[sailingdog]

Just how big a boat are we talking about? 16 batteries in FOUR HOUSE BANKS is really stupid and requires a really big boat.

Originally Posted by TeamDestructo85

i picked up the boatowners illustrated electrical handbook last week. I'm about halfway through and its helped a lot. isbn 978-0-07-144644-0

i also picked up a good quality clamp ammeter. so now i can check to see if something is working without pulling it off and dragging it to the electrical place.

the PO of my boat had her wired for 16 batteries in 4 seperate banks with redundant everything... so i have a lot of learnin to do.

[mitiempo]

4 house banks - it would be interesting to see how they are charged.

[TeamDestructo85]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Just how big a boat are we talking about? 16 batteries in FOUR HOUSE BANKS is really stupid and requires a really big boat.

i have a 45' starrett jenks. that setup was from the guy who built the boat in the late 70's. i inherited the boat with two banks hooked up, one side with 2 12v group 27's and 2 6v gels on the other side...

on a side note, i have a smart regulator v2 from ample power company... anybody know where to find schematics for it???

[mitiempo]

Try Ample Power. Ample Power Manuals and Wiring Diagrams

[donradclife]

Take a look at genuinedealz.com for the wire--you will save a bundle over buying at your chandlery.

[Compujedi]

genuinedealz.com is definitely some of the cheapest and they sell on eBay too :-) I'm going out tomorrow to start measuring cable lengths.