Electrical wiring???

[Ron Mehringer]

On my '97 H26 there is no buss bar for terminating the negative (black) wires. Instead all the wires go to a loose hanging nut and bolt that is wrapped with electrical tape. It's located inside the bulkhead wall to the left of the electrical panel. Seems like a pretty cheesy approach to me. Has anyone found a better method?ThanksRon Mehringers/v Hydro-Therapy

 

[Harry Plaganis]

CHANGE IT

GO TO AN ELECTRIAL SHOP OR RADIO SHACK AND LOOK FOR A BUSS BAR THAT LOOKS LARGE ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE WIRES YOU INTEND TO HOOK ONTO IT.

 

[Bob Gravenstine]

Very little room for bus bar.

Hi Ron. I guess you are trying to wire the auto pilot and have found that there is very little room behind the panel. I had to dig out a lot of foam to make room for the new panel and Link 10 I installed. I wanted to install a bus bar for the negative wires but could not find a suitable location with mounting space and work space.Good luck and call me if you need a hand.Bob GravenstineS/V Gravyboat

 

[Michael Stephens]

mine too

Ron,Mine is done the same way. I have added quite a few items that require power, each time adding another connector to the stack. I had to get a longer lug when I put my water pump in last week. I am now thinking the same thing; there needs to be a buss somewhere, just haven't found a good spot for one without a major re-wire job.Michael StephensS/V Pure Heaven H-260

 

[Joel]

Same on the H23 also

Sometimes a little knowledge cost you more money.I was in a boat building course over the winter and during one session, they talked about electrical systems, battery isolators, switches, bus bars, etc.So of course, the first thing I did when I got home was look at mine on the H23. (Note that I bought this boat last year and didn't check this out ahead of time. Oops.)No battery switch, no isolator, no busbar, positive from battery wired directly to one of the switches in the fuse panel (actually sharing the switch with the autohelm unit which would mean it was always on, right?)Got a new fuse panel (with 6 switches instead of 5). Put in a battery switch. Still no busbar or isolator but maybe that will be a job for next year. All in all, about another $50 into the hole I keep throwing boat money.

 

[Mike]

Check the Photo Forum

Ron,When I installed my autopilot, VHF and GPS last year, I added an extra panel with a battery meter, DC Receptacle and a negative bus bar.m There should be a picture in the Photo Forum.Mike PajewskiH26 "Loon"

 

[Ron Mehringer]

Thanks

Thanks everyone. As usual it sounds like there's no EASY solution. I picked up a buss bar at West Marine, but I think it's going to be too big and difficult to mount and access. Maybe I'll add a door in the bulkhead to get at it.Bob - The autopilots on order. Maybe it'll be here by Friday.Ron Mehringers/v Hydro-Therapy