Advice please. How do you:

1) Size buzz bars.

2) Best place to fix them.

3) How do you fix them.

Lastly best  source.

Thank

1/ by max current and number of connections needed

2/ near where they are needed!

3/ depends on the type (insulated or non-insulated) but anyway, if you don't have a convenient bit of wood to attach them to, you could screw (or bond, if water is the other side) a thick sheet of ply onto steel.

 

Various sources, here is one: https://www.asap-supplies.com/electrical-components/busbars-power-posts-connectors/busbars-power-distribution

Also look for Blue Sea Systems and BEP Marine eg http://www.force4.co.uk/department/electrical/electrical-accessories/busbars-terminal-blocks.html

And, if you are researching them, or looking for suppliers, they are properly called busbars or bus bars.  (comes from the Latin omnibus - of all- because they carry all the current).

Sometimes confused with Buss or Bussmann - a manufacturer of fuses.

I got some off ebay, although dont think they were listed as Busbars iirc. 

Edited May 18, 20179 yr by rusty69

Thank you.

By maximum current does it mean total battery amperage?

11 hours ago, mross said:

And, if you are researching them, or looking for suppliers, they are properly called busbars or bus bars.  (comes from the Latin omnibus - of all- because they carry all the current).

Sometimes confused with Buss or Bussmann - a manufacturer of fuses.

So that is why the  Ticket collecting  person on a Bus is called a conductor?

4 minutes ago, jddevel said:

Thank you.

By maximum current does it mean total battery amperage?

What does total battery amperage mean?

By maximum current, it means the maximum current that could flow between different terminals on the busbar. This could be the full output of the alternator flowing into the battery (if the alternator connection to the battery is via the busbar). It could be the starter motor current (if the starter motor connection is via the busbar - probably not!). It could be the current to a 3kw inverter (if an inverter is fitted and routed via the busbar). But more likely it will be the maximum current going to the boat's 12v services - all depends on what the busbar is used for.

The max current will be the sum of all the loads that use it.  If you don't know the loads, what size is the master fuse for all the circuits it is feeding??

Quote

 

The more I try and understand and think I`ve comprehended the advice from the forum the more I conclude that I need, in order to get this boat into the water in the next coupe of months, the professional to sort this part of the sailaway out. Once the basics are there I can study and learn.

Just need to find the right boatyard for the job.

6 minutes ago, jddevel said:

The more I try and understand and think I`ve comprehended the advice from the forum the more I conclude that I need, in order to get this boat into the water in the next coupe of months, the professional to sort this part of the sailaway out. Once the basics are there I can study and learn.

Just need to find the right boatyard for the job.

You're depressed. Sleep on it!

Thank you Nicknorman. Sound advice. At my age finding the learning curve frustrating. Whilst I consider myself quite a practical person if I see something I find it easier to understand than the written word. Never been diagnosed with dyslexia but a mild form may be my problem- or is it an excuse for just being a bit thick!!!

Problem is you need to understand the subject to understand the answer. 

2 hours ago, jddevel said:

Thank you Nicknorman. Sound advice. At my age finding the learning curve frustrating. Whilst I consider myself quite a practical person if I see something I find it easier to understand than the written word. Never been diagnosed with dyslexia but a mild form may be my problem- or is it an excuse for just being a bit thick!!!

No I think it just illustrates that "a picture is worth 1000 words".

Googling 'busbar calculation' brings up lots of info, including this

https://www.copper.org/applications/electrical/busbar/bus_table3.html 

I hope this is helpful?  Obviously, it is intended for busbars carrying current for some distance whereas your busbar may only be a foot or so long, but it does give the basic sizing.

Think about why you want the busbar. What's it for? Obviously it's feeding several things, so what are they? What is the maximum current that they could demand if they were all on at the same time? Once you know the answer to the last question you know what size busbar you require. 

The busbar calculation I quoted above does not allow for drilling and bolting conductors.  Can anyone point OP at some relevant tables?  

Or you could just buy the biggest you can find(space permitting) and forget the calculations 

Eg

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/272642283054

Edited May 19, 20179 yr by rusty69

11 minutes ago, rusty69 said:

Or you could just buy the biggest you can find(space permitting) and forget the calculations 

Eg

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/272642283054

Fine for -ve but I think id want something insulated for +ve.

5 minutes ago, nicknorman said:

Fine for -ve but I think id want something insulated for +ve.

Good point. Built a cover for mine and used on negative only. 

Edited May 19, 20179 yr by rusty69

2 minutes ago, nicknorman said:

Fine for -ve but I think id want something insulated for +ve.

Well spotted.  It's meant for earths, not live connectors.  The insulation voltage is not even mentioned.

With my job I use buss bar p/no VA/189B/2 from a company called Furneaux Riddall, these comply with the BSS and all the relevant BMET ISO's. I have no connection with this company other than being a satisfied customer. They have a very good website.

26 minutes ago, andyb116 said:

With my job I use buss bar p/no VA/189B/2 from a company called Furneaux Riddall, these comply with the BSS and all the relevant BMET ISO's. I have no connection with this company other than being a satisfied customer. They have a very good website.

Useful shop, thanks. Only trouble is it doesn't quote any current or voltage ratings.

Here's a meaty one

https://www.mobilecentre.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=678

Nick Norman, if you blow the pictures of the covers up, it gives the current ratings on them, I thought the same when I ordered my first batch though. 

1 hour ago, andyb116 said:

With my job I use buss bar p/no VA/189B/2 from a company called Furneaux Riddall, these comply with the BSS and all the relevant BMET ISO's. I have no connection with this company other than being a satisfied customer. They have a very good website.

Nice  300A

http://www.furneauxriddall.com/cgi-bin/sh000004.pl?WD=va%2f189b%2f2&PN=Enclosed-Busbar-4-x-6mm-Studs---12-x-4mm-Screws-VA_189B_2.html#SID=983

3 hours ago, nicknorman said:

Fine for -ve but I think id want something insulated for +ve.

Worth noting that the BSS demands a cover.