bluesman2a : Project: Electrical Overkill
Project: Electrical Overkill
Post by bluesman2a on Aug 19, 2006, 1:17pm
OK, I'll admit it, I'm an electrical junkie. I like a well designed system, and I've never found one kit that had it all, so I put together my own. Over the next couple of days I'll post up some electrical resources, but let's start with components:
1) Wire -- Good quality battery cable, I use either 2 or 4 Ga. welding cable, it's finer stranded, you can route it easier than crap you find in auto parts stores, and it's better quality. Good deals on rolls of colored wire can be had from Del CIty. Try to color code your stuff.
2) Connectors -- At the moment I'm currently using a lot of moulded/sealed male/female spade connectors, we'll see how they hold up. May change over to the weather-pak or deutsche connectors depending on how these hold up.
3) Circuit protection -- There are a couple of things I really like here.
A) resettable hi-amp breakers: these are great for basic system-wide protection (near the battery) and make a great way to shut things down for maintenance or long storage. Available in surface mount or if you cut a hole to mount in the dash, panel mount. Think of it like a VERY high capacity switch. Range from 150 amps down to 60. Commonly available in marine supply, are weatherproof, but cheapest place I have found these is Del City:
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servl...=193073&page=1
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/image.../76605_tab.jpg
B) Mini-breakers: same idea just slightly smaller, in the 30-50 amp range.
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servl...=742604&page=1
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/image.../76930_tab.jpg
C) Fuse/distribution panels: these are VERY cool. Takes a lot of wire and makes it very clean. Essentially this is a good way to pre-wire stuff for making additional accessories a SNAP to add in.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/sto....productId=91545
http://images.westmarine.com/full/fuseblock_f.jpg
D) Hot Rod panels: These make for a more refined under dash look. They also come pre-wired for things like flashers and horn relay.
http://www.centechwire.com/catalog/panels/index.html
4) Switching: Normal switches can't handle the loads we put on them. To that end you need to have controls. We do this through the use of Relays and Solenoids. Both are essentially switches that we use to control LARGE loads. For example, putting your headlights on relays will not only give you brighter lights (direct feed), but it will increase the longevity of the switch in most applications.
A) Relays: I like these from Del City, they're cheap, they fasten together, come with a nice pre-made harness, and they are easy to mount.
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servl...d=72563&page=1
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/image.../73572_tab.jpg
B) Solenoids: There are continuous duty solenoids (made to stay on all the time) or intermittent solenoids (like a starter solenoid). The two are NOT interchangeable. On my system I added two continuous duty 85 amp solenoids so I could have bountiful amounts of KEYED power (i.e. on when the ignition is on).
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servl...=790161&page=1
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/image.../67015_tab.jpg
5) Doo-dads and -Jaws: Cool and useful stuff.
A) Cable Lugs: I use either coper or tinned. Get them here cheap.
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servl...tid=102&page=1
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/image...07825_cat2.jpg
B) Zip tie mounts: Pop a hole and you have an easy way to secure/route something with a zip-tie. I love these things and use them by the hundreds.
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servl...tid=127&page=1
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/image...3_9812_tab.jpg
C) Cable end covers: I hate exposed hot wires, use these boots to good effect.
http://www.bluesea.com/product.asp?P...62&l1=7462&l2=
D) Bus Bars: Clean up your wiring and make it look neat.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/sto....10001/119/118/9
http://images.westmarine.com/full/bluesea23032304.jpg
E) Bulkhead pass-throughs: Pass through big cables with easy disconnect.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/sto....10001/119/118/9
