fuse block location

jerkoz

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 21, 2010
Messages
172
am ready to install a fuse block in my 16ft.alum. open bow boat. was going to place the block under the dash, steering wheel side. was going to run 8 ga. pos.&neg. wires to it. planned on a inline fuse close to the battery. does this location seem right? also not sure what amp. fuse to use for the horn and lights?
 

MH Hawker

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
5,516
Re: fuse block location

You fuse the wire size not the device. 16 = 10 or less, 14 = 15 or less, 12 = 20 or less.
 

Grandad

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 7, 2011
Messages
1,504
Re: fuse block location

Hi jerkoz. So your next question will be what size wire to use, to know what fuse size to use. Your lights should be fine with a #16 AWG wire and 10 amp fuse. The horn could draw significantly more current than the lights, though for only a very short time. You're probably OK with #14 AWG wire and a 15 amp fuse. In regard to the #8 AWG main feed; you may be unnecessarily oversizing this. If you're never going to have more than navigation lights and a horn, #12 AWG should be plenty big enough. If you still plan to use #8, make sure that you have the necessary crimp terminals and an adequately sized crimping tool. Remember too, that an oversized wire is stiff and puts more mechanical stress on a terminal block. - Grandad
 
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jerkoz

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 21, 2010
Messages
172
Re: fuse block location

the 8 ga. wire I bought is really flexable. thanks for the reply
 

bonz_d

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
5,276
Re: fuse block location

I've got 8 ga wire running out to the garage to run 30 amp 240v why would you need that size wire for a 16' boat? They don't even use that size wire to run trollong motors.
 

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
Re: fuse block location

The usual for that purpose is 10 gauge; 8 will be just fine.
 
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