Battery wiring simplification

[FAV453]

Can I take a lead off each terminal (pos and neg) and connect to bus bars that would have the proper number of terminals (one terminal for each connections)? This would be instead of stacking ring terminals on a single stud. I am runnning 2 batts, 2 motors, 2 switches. The one battery wired to the house switch has a bunch of wires running to it (switch #1, switch #2, bilge pump and charger). The batteries are marine with the large lugs and studs.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Battery wiring simplification

Excellent idea, I do the same thing, it also helps keep any battery terminal corrosion away from your wiring. Obviously make sure that the positive buss bar is out of harms way from possible contact with metal stuff. Ken

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery wiring simplification

I agree with Slowly Sinking. Very important to cover your positive buss bar to prevent anything from hitting it that can cause a spark.

 

[FAV453]

Re: Battery wiring simplification

Thanks for the replies. I plan to put the bus bars (4, 2+, 2-) into a plastic junction box and feed the wires through cord grip fitting (like Heycos)making the box water tight. Any suggestions on a source for the bus bars?

 

[ARCWINSTON]

Re: Battery wiring simplification

Visit http://www.mcmaster.com/ go to page 673. ...W

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Battery wiring simplification

Good resource, ArcWinston. See also: http://bestboatwire.com/

 

[Realgun]

Re: Battery wiring simplification

18rabbit you are a good man I was hoping to find a site like that. I want to rewire my boat i ordered the book but wondered where to get the wire. I also want to run a bus bar to make wiring simple and clean.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Battery wiring simplification

Get the buss bars from Blue Seas, they are dirt cheap. Do not put both of them inside the same plastic box, get two boxes and keep the positive and negative sides separated. Tupperware tends to work real well for this purpose and it comes in every size and shape immaginable. The stuff comes with waterproof lids too. Just drill holes in the sides just large enough to pass the wires into and out of the box. Seal them with 5200. It will not stick to the box but it will to the wire and will make a gasket if you have it on both sides.<br /><br />Thom

 

[FAV453]

Re: Battery wiring simplification

Thanks for the info. I see the max amps on the Blue seas system is 600. Is that enough to handle starting?