O'day 25 Electrical System Layout

[Ward H]

Last spring I had too many projects for my 80 O'day 25 and not enough time to complete them. One of them that got put off was adding a battery switch and new DC panel.
This winter I asked here and was told that the battery switch was indeed a safety item that I should install, so the time is now.

Here is the placement drawing I came up with and the schematic. The new panel will use the existing panel cutout which will be made larger for the 8 breaker panel.
I installed the battery switch and measured for pre made cables. Need to order the custom cables, busbars and terminal fuse blocks.

Thought I would pass it by you guys just to CMA.

 

[mitiempo]

The wire to the panel should be larger than 10 gauge. The panel is rated for 100 amps max but 10 gauge only has an ampacity of 60 amps. You should be using 8 gauge minimum. This doesn't take into account any voltage drop over the distance the wire is run.

Also the terminal posts on the MRBF fuse holders are 5/16", not 3/8".

 

[Ward H]

I had not taken into consideration ampacity of the wire, just voltage drop. That run will only be 2' max. While the panel is rated for 100 amps, my total amp draw is about 20 amp max as the boat only has basic lights. The panel is a bit overkill but I wanted the 8 switches for expansion. Since I am buying only 2' of wire, easy enough to move up to 8AWG.
While the terminal posts are 5/16, GenuineDealz says 5/16 or 3/8 rings will work. Easy enough to have the cable made up with one each.
Thanks for the help.

 

[mitiempo]

Yes, you can have the terminal lugs one size larger, but why not get it exact. Sloppy or close enough has no place in wiring.

As far as the fact that you will only have a 20 amp draw max, you are allowing for expansion. Best to wire for it now as it is easily forgotten when the other breakers are added.