So i would go up a size to 16ga for the run from the battery to the dash. I want to thank ed sherman of abyc and boat wiring.
Wiring For A Switch Panel And Bus Bar Boat Wiring Boat
Wiring up a boat switch panel. Cut one length of wire to make the run from the negative side of the component to the negative side of the switch or a ground connection on the panel. A box or panel where switches can be mounted to control stuff. Theres nothing quite like a boat for testing an electrical circuit to its limits. A 16 ga wire 15 feet long and 15 feet back with a 15 amp load. Or these terminals can be ignored for non backlit switch banks. Kohree 5 gang rocker switch panel 12v waterproof for rv boat car vehicles truck marine toggle led switch panel digital voltmeter display dual usb charger port dc 45 out of 5 stars 121 3599 35.
Cut one length of 14 gauge wire to make the run from the positive connection of the switch to the positive terminal of the component. The next step is to get the power from the house battery up to the switch panel where we can use it to do some good. Choose a component to be controlled by a switch in the panel. It can be open or covered. When wiring this switch you can choose if youd like to illuminate it because of the independent lamp attached to terminals 8 and 7. Sea dog large rocker switch sea dog large rocker switch is made of durable injection molded nylon and stamped brass to look good on any boat.
The wiring diagram to the right will show how to wire and power this 12v 20amp on off on 3 way carling contura rocker switch. You should use marine grade primary wire for this. A panel with fuse sockets on it. Easily snaps into 78 x 1 716 panel slots wiring with 14 blade terminals. Two conductors a positive from the battery switch with a fuse and a negative from the ganged together battery negatives should be ran to where the central switch panel is. For people just getting into boating or for those who have been boating for a while but have managed to avoid the electrical side of things the 12 volt dc direct current systems aboard most boats dont have to be daunting.
The back of a wiring panel can look pretty daunting but remember youre only troubleshooting one circuit at a time. At the best of times the cables and terminals must put up with a combination of the omnipresent salt atmosphere and vibration the united states coast guard requires fuel tanks to be tested at up to 25 gs. At the worst of times these cables may be totally submerged in bilge water or.