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General Aquasport Forums => Chum => Topic started by: love2fish on February 20, 2012, 09:00:29 AM

Title: switch panel question
Post by: love2fish on February 20, 2012, 09:00:29 AM
Working on a switch panel layout, trying to make sure I have all my bases covered. so far I'm thinking I'll need:
1. Bilge
2. running/anchor light
3. transom or spreader lights
4. livewell
5. washdown
6. courtesy lights
7. power pole
8. livewell light

Do you all have anything additional on your boats.

I was thinking/wondering if maybe having the gauges on a seperate switch (for the lights) would be worth it.

This is for a 22-2, Does everyone just run 1 bilge on a switch and then 1 float switch bilge?

Thanks!
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: DOCREED on February 20, 2012, 09:07:17 AM
Quote from: "love2fish"
Working on a switch panel layout, trying to make sure I have all my bases covered. so far I'm thinking I'll need:
1. Bilge
2. running/anchor light
3. transom or spreader lights
4. livewell
5. washdown
6. courtesy lights
7. power pole
8. livewell light

Do you all have anything additional on your boats.

I was thinking/wondering if maybe having the gauges on a seperate switch (for the lights) would be worth it.

This is for a 22-2, Does everyone just run 1 bilge on a switch and then 1 float switch bilge?

Thanks!


I wired my gauge lights, and compass light to the running lights side of the the switch and the anchor light on the other side of the switch.
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: seabob4 on February 20, 2012, 09:57:02 AM
Doc is correct in that observation, I do that on all the boats I work on.  For those that have the round Yamaha digital gauges, simply unplug the blue leads from the harnesses, combine them and run to the nav light switch, this gives you back-lighting the same an analog gauges, only when the nav lights are on...
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: Blue Agave on February 20, 2012, 09:58:28 AM
I would add a second bilge pump. Also, check out Seabob's thread on switch panels under the vendor forum.
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: love2fish on February 20, 2012, 10:34:14 AM
Good idea on the gauges/running lights.
Already sent Bob an email about the switch panel.
Anything else I'm overlooking/forgetting?

Thanks for the ideas
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: Blue Agave on February 20, 2012, 10:39:07 AM
I would also add a plug for a phone charger or to plug in a hand held Q-beam.
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: gran398 on February 20, 2012, 11:09:59 AM
The receptacle Fern refers to will also accept a 12V blender. A refreshing fruit smoothie is always popular on a hot summer day.
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: Capt Matt on February 20, 2012, 03:00:27 PM
I got a carried away and ended up making my own switch panel, here are a few of the extra's
2 livewell pumps w/ switches
Stereo/XM radio on/off switch
Chartplotter switch
Livewell light
12V Plug
2 bilge pump switches
spot light
led lights
Capt Matt
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: wingtime on February 20, 2012, 04:59:10 PM
Quote from: "gran398"
The receptacle Fern refers to will also accept a 12V blender. A refreshing fruit smoothie is always popular on a hot summer day.


MMMMM  nothing like smoothies and chicken out on the boat!
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: love2fish on February 20, 2012, 05:35:24 PM
(http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr128/beachbound23/Blender.jpg)

Boom!
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: GoneFission on February 20, 2012, 06:15:32 PM
Quote from: "gran398"
The receptacle Fern refers to will also accept a 12V blender. A refreshing fruit smoothie is always popular on a hot summer day.

Smoothie = Margarita    :drunken:   A 9.9 kicker will work as a blender in an emergency.   :thumleft:
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: Aswaff400 on February 20, 2012, 06:45:33 PM
of the to pf my head i have:
running/anchor lights
bilge pump
deck lights
livewell pump
washdown pump
livewell light

i will be having bob make a new switch/gauge panel and a trim/tilt-jackplate-powerpole panel for the bow when the time comes...
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: seabob4 on February 20, 2012, 08:20:18 PM
Matt, if I may.  Why power a device from a panel switch when the device has it's own on/off switch, i.e. chartplotter and stereo (or VHF, for that matter).  Not only does that free up panel switches for equipment that doesn't have their own switches, but all the equipment listed is shut down, regardless of being on or off, when you turn the battery switch off...

Just curious...
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: love2fish on February 20, 2012, 08:24:05 PM
Bob, I was wondering the same thing... I have seen several switch panels that have an "Electronics" switch. I was assuming this was to prevent draw from maybe a constantly backlit POWER switch or something, but wasnt sure.
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: seabob4 on February 20, 2012, 08:36:35 PM
Quote from: "love2fish"
Bob, I was wondering the same thing... I have seen several switch panels that have an "Electronics" switch. I was assuming this was to prevent draw from maybe a constantly backlit POWER switch or something, but wasnt sure.

No offense to Matt, but I find "Electronics" switches basically useless.  I have to turn on a switch, which enables me to turn on more switches!  I mean...

Modern electronics do not need to have a source of constant power, other than stereo memory, to retain settings, waypoints, tracks, whatever.  Keep in mind, there is only ONE thing on a boat that needs to wired "Constant Hot", and that is one lead off a bilge pump float switch.  If you have 3 pumps and switches, that would be 3 things.  But everything else should be wired "Switched Hot", and be shut off by the battery switch.  I would say stereo memory, but it seems people these days are either using Sirius Radio, or listening to their ipods, so that is going out the window soon...
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: Capt Matt on February 20, 2012, 09:32:28 PM
I went with hooking up the stereo on a switch partly because the xm radio is a portable unit and is powered by a 12/V plug which is also wired on the same switch as the stereo. With the xm hidden in a console hatch along with the 12V plug power source it simply powers up when I flip the switch.   At some point I'm going to have to add a amp too which probably will be on that same switch, I thought I would be good with 40 watts per channel but I need more along with two more speakers on the tower.  I like to jam out when throwing the castnet early morning  XM 1st wave love that 80's music too  lol

As far as the chart plotter I have always had a switch for my electronic's and I guess old habits just die hard, on my previous boats it was much easier to power the electronic's from the switch panel rather than run a wire all the way back to the batteries. I have never had  a boat wired as well as this one. On all my previous boats the switch panels had breakers not multiple fuse blocks.  

As usual your right Seabob, it simply does make more sense now I think about it.  Sweet, now I  have a extra switch to free up and will need to add some other cool 12V toy or light.  Any thoughts on must have 12V toys for a floating office that has everything ? No blenders though
Capt Matt
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: seabob4 on February 20, 2012, 09:43:16 PM
Matt,
It's not that I'm right, I just try to use common sense when wiring a boat.  For instance, how many times does one see the batt in the back end, with 4 or 5 or 6 grounds stacked on the negative terminal, when all one has to do is take a stout lead, say 8 GA, off the batt to a ground buss, then terminate all the aft equipment grounds there...on a piece of equipment that was designed to accept multiple terminations!!!

I try to keep things simple, and there is a lot of equipment out there that helps in that regard.  But one piece of equipment, regardless of how good it works, I don't care for is either the Blue Seas ACR or the BEP VSR.  I think switching battery switches between different batts keeps one on their toes...JMHO...
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: gran398 on February 20, 2012, 09:52:17 PM
Since everyone loves a nice day on the water...and you enjoy going the extra mile... how about a 12V pinini grill?

http://www.amazon.com/12V-PORTABLE-SAND ... B0018QPP82 (http://www.amazon.com/12V-PORTABLE-SANDWICH-GRILL-TA-17474/dp/B0018QPP82)
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: seabob4 on February 20, 2012, 10:58:56 PM
No Scott, no panini grills...besides, you actually want Vienna Sausages on a panini?
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: wingtime on February 20, 2012, 11:11:33 PM
Quote from: "seabob4"
No Scott, no panini grills...besides, you actually want Vienna Sausages on a panini?


EEWWWW!
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: seabob4 on February 20, 2012, 11:13:37 PM
Quote from: "wingtime"
Quote from: "seabob4"
No Scott, no panini grills...besides, you actually want Vienna Sausages on a panini?


EEWWWW!

Forgot the Cheetos...
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: Capt Matt on February 21, 2012, 07:39:21 PM
A 12V Fry daddy would be the bomb. Only the good tipping clients would get the good fish sandwiches!!!
and "fish fries": french fries cooked after the fish is fried yummy. Shore lunches anyone.....

Keep it simple stupid!!  A Automatic charging relay Is there really any use for it on our small boats?

Seabob,
 I always have ran my boats with the battery switch on both, If I know I'm going to be anchored up for a hour or more running lots of power i will switch over to one battery or the other.
My Garmin on the dashboard screen shows my battery voltage and I never let it go below 12.1V before firing up the motor.  During tarpon season I often spend a few hours on the anchor in one place and having a dead battery would be the worst. Any tips?
Capt Matt
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: Circle Hooked on February 21, 2012, 10:59:38 PM
I don't have one of those ACR's, I do what Bob says and use the switch and alternate starting batteries each trip but good batteries are a must, I have 2 AGM dual purpose group 24's and when I overnight it I run the stereo dvd player fans you name it and never a problem, and can start up in the morning off the same battery, but I always make sure the other has a full charge just in case.
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: pete on February 21, 2012, 11:35:28 PM
Guys,I have a blue seas ACR and it works perfectly,leave my switch on batt 1 or off when not in use.Never a problem,I periodicly check voltage in both no prob.The ACR automaticly diverts current when batt 1 is charged and keeps batt 2 ready.They work.Charge with the promariner,here is my setup...
(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q223/Pete1681/Photo162.jpg)
the ACR is right above the breaker box. :salut:
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: seabob4 on February 22, 2012, 04:54:45 PM
Remember guys (Pete), my opinion on ACRs/VSRs is simply that...my opinion.  The way I run a boat.  Start the motor with the batt switch on batt 1 (engine start batt).  This gives you a good indication of the condition of the start batt, as opposed to starting with the batt switch on ALL, which can mask a weak start batt.  Once the engine is running, turn the switch to ALL, which will enable the motor output to charge both batts.  When you get to a spot, and are trolling over a reef or a drop off, leave the switch on ALL, the alternator output even at trolling speeds will overcome the amp draw of a FF, chartplotter, whatever.  Only when the motor gets shut down does the batt switch move to batt 2.  This places all the house loads on batt 2 while totally isolating the start batt from any draws.  Ready to fire back up?  Move the switch back to batt 1.  Once underway, switch over to all...

As Scott said, the key is good batteries, and taking care of them.  But one little "piece of mind" thing a lot of people don't consider.  Carry a spare batt on board.  Hooked up to nothing, just sitting there.  What are we talking, 45 lbs.?  Stow it belowdecks centerline, you'll never even know it's there.  Should a REAL failure arise with either the house or starting batt, a few quick turns of a wrench and you're back in business...
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: RickK on February 22, 2012, 06:33:17 PM
What about us that have stators? If you don't go fast you don't charge the batteries much.
The ACR on my 230 is a way for me to have both batteries being charged without having to have the switch in "both".  I have a different setup though.  I can have both batteries on and not have them in parallel. The ACR bridges the charging from the Starting battery when the voltage is right.

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e19/rkins/Battery%20Control/640_BattCtrlBoard3.jpg)
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: Circle Hooked on February 22, 2012, 06:41:02 PM
Wow Rick I never knew, and just when you think you know someone  :D

I'm gonna have to check that out next time we're out and about.
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: seabob4 on February 22, 2012, 07:47:18 PM
Rick,
Is your Yam an OX66?  Should have around 12A output at idle, 35A at cruise...
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: pete on February 22, 2012, 09:01:03 PM
I agree with everyone,the key,no matter what method you choose is to maintain and monitor the condition of you batteries. :salut:
Title: Re: switch panel question
Post by: RickK on February 23, 2012, 04:54:16 AM
Quote from: "seabob4"
Rick,
Is your Yam an OX66?  Should have around 12A output at idle, 35A at cruise...
Nope - older than that.  (And still runs like a champ)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e19/rkins/ThePower.jpg)
I asked the mechanic how much current the stator would put out and he couldn't tell me and couldn't find the spec anywhere.  Neither could I. Seems the faster you go the more it puts out.
After I camped for a few days my house battery was so low the chartplotter wouldn't even come on anymore - thought it was toast.  So off I went for a 2 hour low rpm putt around to charge the batteries - the chartplotter would come on for only about 3 seconds after that  :(  So I put the boat on plane and cruised back for 20 minutes - chartplotter came right up and was good after that.  :cheers:  That's when I added the volt meter to the power board.
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