Wire, wires everywhere...

Jan 15, 2014
80
Morgan 323 Portland
During electrical refit 1984 Morgan 323, there are obvious terminal points for most positive wires (e.g. running lights, fridge, bilge pumps) as most terminate behind panel, then to a breaker switch. But what about small positive wires like tank senders, Remote Battery switch and Automatic Charge Relay? Each has small, 2-amp-ish fuses, 18 or 16 gauge wires. Do these go to ST blade fuses on battery? To a busbar? To a common breaker at panel (I have one called "Instruments @ 10amp") using inline fuses? How to turn off these loads if they are attached to ST Blade fuse on battery post or running through a busbar?

Some pictures for fun.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Likes: Brokenarm
Oct 26, 2008
6,305
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
Think of it this way ... fuses or breakers at the panel basically protect the wires that originate at the panel. Even the 16 AWG wire may be protected by a 10 amp fuse (I had 15 amp breakers for all wire sizes coming into the panel). Many of the electronics and other devices need to be protected by much smaller fuses. These would typically be in-line fuses or could be spade fuses - doesn't really matter which type, just that the purpose of the smaller fuses is to protect the device, not the necessarily the wires. Lights and other devises don't need to be protected by fuse. Only the wire needs protection, and that is provided at the panel, assuming the wires originate at the panel.

Be sure to have the appropriately sized fuses at the batteries for the larger cable sizes.
 
Jan 11, 2014
13,064
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Depends on what the circuit is for. Some circuits need to be always on, like the memory for the Stereo. Others only need to be one when other things are on, like fuel gauges. There are jumpers to use on your terminal bar that allow one wire to power multiple devices. Or you can use the small fuse blocks like the one you posted.

If you have multiple devices off one feed, each device will need an inline fuse. This approach works, but can get kind of messy. sometimes it is the best solution.
 
Jan 11, 2014
13,064
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Ahhh, my brain! I'm in agony! Is this what it can/should look like?
It looks good, however a questions about the ACR. The ACR should be directly between the 2 battery banks. There are a couple options for smaller gauge wires to deal the a starter interrupt and an indicator lamp. How is the ACR wired overall?