What gauge wire to my Ebox

[flounderpounder225]

Currently have #14 feeding my common bus up in the Ebox, but I just got a used JRC 1000 radar, the head unit is going up in the Ebox, I am powering my VHF, a stereo, now the radar, and a 12vdc outlet which I plug my spotlight into for night ops.  I'm thinking I should pull a new feed of either #10 or #12? Whatcha all think?

[GoneFission]

Radar is 50 watts (4-5 amps), spot light (halogen) is 55 watts (4-5 amps), VHF radio on hi transmit is 6 amps, stereo is 1 amp (normal) - 3+ amps if you are cranking it...  So you are pretty close to the limit for typical AWG 14 depending on the length of the run.  What rating circuit breaker/fuse do you have on the circuit?   It seems 20 amps would be about right, with AWG 12 wire, but (as we have talked about in another forum) there are other factors...  

[flounderpounder225]

Thanks for the breakdown John, genuinedealz has some 10/2 duplex 25ft roll, so I'll probably go that way, the run from the inside of the console to the box isn't much, but I can use the remainder to to run the stern and make a new common bus back there, a complete rewire is in the future, I am just going to tear everything out and start from scratch with a schematic I'll draw up..

[seabob4]

Marc, regardless of what's going up in the ebox, I always feed it with 10GA hot and ground.  Just the way I've always done it...

[flounderpounder225]

Marc, regardless of what's going up in the ebox, I always feed it with 10GA hot and ground.  Just the way I've always done it...

Thanks Bob, I figured 10, just wanted to confirm, with 10 I don't have to worry in the future what I'm putting in.

[GoneFission]

Marc, regardless of what's going up in the ebox, I always feed it with 10GA hot and ground.  Just the way I've always done it...

Thanks Bob, I figured 10, just wanted to confirm, with 10 I don't have to worry in the future what I'm putting in.

         

[RickK]

Don't forget a Ciruit Breaker on the main feed line to cover all that amperage.  

[Bergertime]

When I had my Garmin installed they ran a dedicated feed to the radar rather than using bus in my ebox.  Are you going to get a pedestal for it?

B

[flounderpounder225]

When I had my Garmin installed they ran a dedicated feed to the radar rather than using bus in my ebox.  Are you going to get a pedestal for it?

B

For the Radome?  Was going to bolt it directly to the t-top, it has some spacers so you can orient it correctly for looking at the horizon fairly evenly while on plane, I guess BC the boat has a bow-up attitude when running?  Dont know how critical this is..

[Bergertime]

The research I did indicated that it improves performance and you can buy the mount with the specific forward down angle needed for your vessel depending on how high your bow rides during normal operation.  Mine is 5 inches tall with a 6 degree forward angle which is fairly standard.  I went this route as I often drive by FWCs base of operation here in Tampa and all their boats have radar and all of them are on mounts of some kind.  This sealed the deal for me.  In addition, radar is line of sight (I am sure you know   ) so the additional height can only help.  :)  

I ordered mine from a guy that is now making them out of Ga. and it was much cheaper (paid $159) than the ones advertised on Worst.  Plus did not need any additional mounting hardware. Some of the others required a wedge to set down angle which was expensive. I am very happy with the product.  I found him on ebay.

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marine-Radar-Mo ... 629wt_1104

Pics of mine mounted:





PS: I had to replace my anchor light so it had a longer pole.  The one prior was a 3 inch Hella which was not legal after the install.   Let me know if you have any ?s.  It will change the way you boat, especially in low vis conditions or at night.  I cant imagine not having it now... kinda like having cable tv!  lol

B

[flounderpounder225]

Yes, I will get a longer all-around light also, figured that in, I am going more FWD with mine, the angle is about what I was visualizing, but seeing yours helps.  I'll see how it looks and see if I think I will need a pedestal?? Thanks again!

[Bergertime]

Good luck with the install and post some pics when your done.  I'd like to see.

B

[Bergertime]

Hey Marc.. did you complete your radome install?  Interested in hearing your thoughts.

B