Adding Blue Seas Power Distribution To Existing Wiring

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Author Topic:   Adding Blue Seas Power Distribution To Existing Wiring

Newtauk1 posted 01-16-2009 09:33 PM ET (US)
I am installing a Blue Seas [power distribution center] with blade fuses this spring. For now I plan to run a Garmin chart plotter and VHF radio from it. Do I also run the existing bus bar through the Blue Seas for my navigation lights, deck lights, and compass light? Or should I run a separate line to the battery for the lights?
My bilge pump is wired directly to the battery with an in line fuse.
Bulldog posted 01-17-2009 06:26 AM ET (US)
The Blue Seas fuse block and bus bar should replace what you have. Take each wire to it and fuse the circuits. You want to have has few connections as possible, so from battery to fuse block to device, makes for 4 points of connection. I had a Newport as my first Whaler when replacing the fuse block, I mounted a quality tupperware container first , then screwed the block through it, ran all my wires out the bottom to prevent water intrusion and then put the cover on. I never had to worry about washing down the boat or water getting to the fuses. There are pictures of my Newport in my profile , but the fuse block is hard to make out.--Jack
Bulldog posted 01-17-2009 06:31 AM ET (US)
The bilge pump and battery [power distribution] is factory, but I always preferred to go to the fuse block and keep the connections out of the battery box, which is not an ideal a place for great connections.--Jack
Newtauk1 posted 01-17-2009 09:01 AM ET (US)
Thanks Jack. I will remove the old bus bar. Run the light switch unit direct to the new BlueSea. Perhaps I will run the bilge through a switch.
jimh posted 01-17-2009 09:48 AM ET (US)
If you are revamping the power distribution on your small boat, I would plan to install a new power distribution center that can handle all of the loads. Remove the existing power distribution center and move its existing loads over to the new power distribution center. This will result in a more elegant installation than trying to split the loads between two power distribution centers. The difference in cost between power distribution center products based on the number of loads they can handle is not too great. Get a new power distribution center that can accommodate all the loads you anticipate in the new installation.
If you locate the new power distribution center in the same place as the old one was located, you should have enough slack on most of the wiring that is already in place to reach the terminals on the new power distribution center. If some of the leads are too short to reach the new power distribution center, you should consider replacing them entirely if they are short leads that run only to a nearby switch or load. For leads that would be difficult to replace, such as the leads to the navigation lamps which might be routed through the hull or through other hard to reach places, make a good splice and add extra length to reach the new distribution center if needed.
bhawes posted 01-27-2009 07:02 PM ET (US)
Excellent articles on a subject that is "Greek" to many of us.

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Author	Topic: Adding Blue Seas Power Distribution To Existing Wiring
Newtauk1	posted 01-16-2009 09:33 PM ET (US) I am installing a Blue Seas [power distribution center] with blade fuses this spring. For now I plan to run a Garmin chart plotter and VHF radio from it. Do I also run the existing bus bar through the Blue Seas for my navigation lights, deck lights, and compass light? Or should I run a separate line to the battery for the lights? My bilge pump is wired directly to the battery with an in line fuse.
Bulldog	posted 01-17-2009 06:26 AM ET (US) The Blue Seas fuse block and bus bar should replace what you have. Take each wire to it and fuse the circuits. You want to have has few connections as possible, so from battery to fuse block to device, makes for 4 points of connection. I had a Newport as my first Whaler when replacing the fuse block, I mounted a quality tupperware container first , then screwed the block through it, ran all my wires out the bottom to prevent water intrusion and then put the cover on. I never had to worry about washing down the boat or water getting to the fuses. There are pictures of my Newport in my profile , but the fuse block is hard to make out.--Jack
Bulldog	posted 01-17-2009 06:31 AM ET (US) The bilge pump and battery [power distribution] is factory, but I always preferred to go to the fuse block and keep the connections out of the battery box, which is not an ideal a place for great connections.--Jack
Newtauk1	posted 01-17-2009 09:01 AM ET (US) Thanks Jack. I will remove the old bus bar. Run the light switch unit direct to the new BlueSea. Perhaps I will run the bilge through a switch.
jimh	posted 01-17-2009 09:48 AM ET (US) If you are revamping the power distribution on your small boat, I would plan to install a new power distribution center that can handle all of the loads. Remove the existing power distribution center and move its existing loads over to the new power distribution center. This will result in a more elegant installation than trying to split the loads between two power distribution centers. The difference in cost between power distribution center products based on the number of loads they can handle is not too great. Get a new power distribution center that can accommodate all the loads you anticipate in the new installation. If you locate the new power distribution center in the same place as the old one was located, you should have enough slack on most of the wiring that is already in place to reach the terminals on the new power distribution center. If some of the leads are too short to reach the new power distribution center, you should consider replacing them entirely if they are short leads that run only to a nearby switch or load. For leads that would be difficult to replace, such as the leads to the navigation lamps which might be routed through the hull or through other hard to reach places, make a good splice and add extra length to reach the new distribution center if needed.
bhawes	posted 01-27-2009 07:02 PM ET (US) Excellent articles on a subject that is "Greek" to many of us.