12 Volt Circuit Breaker Panels

[Higgs]

I can't speak for other peoples' findings. I just think the plastic is a bit more resistant to finger nail marking than cheddar cheese.

[Pete of Ebor]

Just a quick thing you might not have thought of - don't install it directly below the ignition key. Many of the boats we've hired over the years have had these panels installed below the key - and hire boats tend to have keys with a cork ball attached... for fairly obvious reasons. We found that the cork ball can knock against a switch and switch it off. Not a major problem, until you find the fridge has been off all day, or you suddenly find you have no water.

[madcat]

The idea of sub boards is a good one if you have lots of equipment .

 

I took that approach with the last boat even though there was only a bunch of lights and a 12v power socket in the cabin. Main reason was to save putting multiple runs of cable in from the board and also so I could fuse each item seperatly at the sub board.

 

I expect I will do the same again. I used continental fuses last time and will have to decide if I'm going to use them on this job or blade fuses which are cheaper and easier to buy

 

I was skint when I did the wiring so re used the old Lucas 4 way box with glass tube fuses for the sub board in the cupboard above the bed hole which supplies the lights intending to change it in the future . Of course I never got round to it so had to carry two sorts of spare fuse.

[jonathanA]

I don't understand why anyone would use 'fuses' for boat 12v distribution in this day and age - makes no sense to me when you can buy a resettable trip for £2.50

 

http://cpc.farnell.com/te-connectivity-potter-brumfield/w54-xb1a4a10-20/circuit-breaker-20a/dp/FF01648

 

Halfords probably charge 99p for a bag with two blade fuses in... you're halfway to paying for the trip.*

 

 

ETA * I meant trip switch not boat trip !

Edited August 13, 2015 by jonathanA

[Sierra2]

I don't understand why anyone would use 'fuses' for boat 12v distribution in this day and age - makes no sense to me when you can buy a resettable trip for £2.50

 

http://cpc.farnell.com/te-connectivity-potter-brumfield/w54-xb1a4a10-20/circuit-breaker-20a/dp/FF01648

 

 

 

That's a great find Jonathan and yes the cost is within my budget. How I didn't find these in my earlier searches, I don't know! Virtual pint for you sir

[Psycloud]

I don't understand why anyone would use 'fuses' for boat 12v distribution in this day and age - makes no sense to me when you can buy a resettable trip for £2.50

 

http://cpc.farnell.com/te-connectivity-potter-brumfield/w54-xb1a4a10-20/circuit-breaker-20a/dp/FF01648

 

Halfords probably charge 99p for a bag with two blade fuses in... you're halfway to paying for the trip.*

 

 

ETA * I meant trip switch not boat trip !

 

So are these a direct replacement for blade fuses or do they require a different fuse box?

 

Thanks

 

David

[Sierra2]

 

So are these a direct replacement for blade fuses or do they require a different fuse box?

 

Thanks

 

David

 

 

They're not David. You would want something like this but I hope you're sitting down when you see the price.... http://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/circuit-breakers.html

 

Chaz

Edited August 13, 2015 by Sierra2