blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

[icyveins]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

I greatly appreciate all the info from everyone.......
after the first of the year I will be starting the electrical system and all of its components. wish me luck!!
I will be posting pics

 

[bruceb58]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

I am satisfied with what I got for sure, there is a considerable "hidden" expense when it comes to the fuses and cables though.

Out of curiosity, which fuses did you chose?

 

[Gator1996]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

I got BEP fuse holders and blade fuses. This is the one.

The cables were what really hurt the wallet though. I can save you a lot of research time if you like. I went with bestboatwire.com. The quality work was outstanding, price was better than anyone else I could find and they were super flexible when I messed up on a couple of lug sizes/measurements. I actually could not buy the cable and the lugs for what I had the cables custom made for. I did not have the equipment to do the work either so I came out way better with them. After a complete boat restoration, that is the one of the few decisions I did not second guess. Good luck with the wiring.

Gator

 

[bruceb58]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

I have always gone with https://www.genuinedealz.com/ . I wonder how the prices compare.


Hmmm. Looks like they are the same place with a slightly different street address. Looks like the difference is that genuiedealz includes shipping and bestboatwire doesn't so you have to do two orders to see which one is cheaper. I just did a test with 30 feet of wire and genuiedeaz was cheaper. i bet if you are buying a larger volume, bestboatwire would be cheaper.

 

[icyveins]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

I am lucky enough to have a cash account through my employer at one of our local electrical supply houses and can purchase for bulk wire and ends at cost. I will be running the blue sea master and then the ACR switch aswell.
what is Bruceb thoughts on main protection? should I have one main fuse or breaker between the batteries and the master switch?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

what is Bruceb thoughts on main protection? should I have one main fuse or breaker between the batteries and the master switch?

None needed or wanted.

Personally, I have real doubts on if you need fuses to the ACR from each battery. At most you should only need one on one of the sides. You are trying to protect the ACR in case of a current spike with one deeply discharged battery. You would have the same amount of current through both fuses. Only one will blow. Why have two?

Also, if you just use a bit more cable, lets say minimum 6 feet on each side and don't pick a huge gauge(10 or so), the cable itself will limit the current since there will be a voltage drop.

Is the wire fine stranded wire, preferably tinned?

 

[icyveins]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

Is the wire fine stranded wire, preferably tinned?

I have yet to purchase my wire, suggestions would be great

 

[bruceb58]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

The two sites listed above:

https://www.genuinedealz.com/
Custom Battery Cable Assembly Custom Made

Both appear to be the same place with one including shipping charges and the other not including.

 

[jhebert]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

...I wont be switching the positive side of the piece being powered (sonar, washdown,etc) I will be switching the grounds.

Putting the control element for a brach circuit in power distribution in the negative lead is a bad practice, particularly in a marine application where the constantly connected positive circuit will tend to promote galvanic corrosion.

 

[Jamie 10017]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

I just called Genuine dealz they said that best boat wire is a division of genuinedealz just FYI

 

[Gator1996]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

I know that the wire is tinned, not sure if it is fine stranded, maybe I should know this. You can always contact them. They were very good about answering me.

The two sites are one in the same, in fact when you pay w/paypal the statement reads geniunedealz. I was buying the custom cables which did come out cheaper on the best boat wire site. You may have the tools needed to make your own, if so there may be a better supplier outside of the two mentioned.

As far as the fuses go, I tend to follow instructions for a product that I am not familiar with. Blue Sea indicates the need for fuses in their install instructions. So I did so, I am not sure what bruce's background is and he is likely 100% right in his statements, but when looking at a an extra $35 or $40 to install the product as outlined by Blue Seas and their fleet of electrical engineers I won't take the risk. Your boat, your call.

Good luck.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

I know that the wire is tinned, not sure if it is fine stranded, maybe I should know this. You can always contact them. They were very good about answering me.

I was more commenting to icyveins. Wire from an electrical supply house may be stranded but very course for house wiring.

Don't blame you for following Blue Seas recommendation. I am sure they need to give instruction that will apply to any length cable install.

I am an electrical engineer.

 

[jhebert]

Re: blue sea master/ acr isolation switch setup

I have ordered marine grade primary wire in the past from GENUINEDEALZ.COM. Although they do not specify that they will send you ANCOR brand wire, that is what I received in my order of some 16-AWG marine grade primary wire.

16 AWG Marine Primary Wire 25ft Tinned Copper USA Made Boat Wiring Genuinedealz.com