where to tie in for aux fuse panel?

[timmyk78]

Does anyone have any idea where the main power junction is. I've got twins on my 260(see signature) so I have 3 batteries. One is dedicated port start only. The other 2 are on selector switch. When I bought the boat the cd radio was connected directly to my #1 battery( 20 amp fuse at battery of course ). I just went and purchased an auxilary fuse panel that i can mount behind the instrument panel and then run my radio, soon to be installed VHF and soon to be installed chart plotter through ( each with its own fused circuit). I have to find DC+ and DC- mains to bring to the buses on the panel. In my manual for my drives it shows a connection I can tap into but I've no idea where this is. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED! Also it says to find 8 guage wire on one of the instruments to tie into? Is this correct or is there a main DC- terminal block somewhere. I even have the schematic for my model but its for a weekender with one drive and only one battery. So where can I get my power connection from?

 

[fc3]

Back in the mid-80s a 50 amp instrument bus was optional. It's standard now since every boat has lots of electronics at the helm. If you boat has the bus, there's already a heavy gauge wire for both B+ and ground with terminals and fuses. Otherwise, you have to run the wire yourself from either the engine compartment panel or battery switch. Don't know what your boat has.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[timmyk78]

I have a 1,2 both or off battery switch. Is there a panel of some sort in engine compartment that the switched leg runs into?

 

[Sorrento 25]

If its anything like mine you may have a breaker box mounted to the underside of the cockpit floor on the battery side of the engine compartment opening. If not follow the positive wires from the switch that do not go to the engine and you will find it.

If that 20 amp CB circuit used an appropriately sized wire it would probably be sufficient for a small auxiliary panel and the described components individually fused at <20A total per the installation manuals.

 

[timmyk78]

the 20 amp circuit is #12 wire-good for 20 amps. But it just runs to # 1 battery-not good. I'll look for this panel this weekend and If I don't find it I think I'll run a #8 with 30A fuse right to baterry switch output. Does this sound like it will work?

 

[timmyk78]

No panel on the underside of deck, no breaker /fuse box anywhere. The switched leg off my 1,2,or off battery switch goes to engine/alternator and a wire harness that powers house loads and starboad instruments on panel. I did find the main #8 hot and ground that feed everthing behind the instrument panel after hours of tracing wires. I think I'm just gonna tap into them with #8's, fuse the hot( 30A )to the Aux panel and be done with it.( i could get away with #10's for aux panel supply becuase of how short a run/not going to use alot of amperage anyway, but I try to err on the safe side). The battery that is dedicated for starting the port engine has its own harness it sends to the instrument panel for port instruments. My battery switch does not have to be on to start the port engine or power the instruments on that side. I made sure that I'm not tying into those main feeds while tracing everything out.

 

[timmyk78]

done deal
cut main #8 off of battery feed hot behind panel,properly crimped, heat shrunk and bolted a #10 fused at 25A to the aux panel. Ran DC- to main # 8 tied in at one of the guage posts suggested in manual. Now to run the 3 circuits. Anybody have any qualms about leaving a #12 fused at 10A running directly to baterry for radio memory?