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Fuse box necessary?

Posted: Aug 05, 2019 8:48 am
by AdamDK
Just making a list of things I'll need to purchase over the winter, and was wondering if a fuse box is necessary or not.

I'll be running a 6-switch gang switchbox "control panel" for my electrical components. Similar to this:

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- bilge pump
- navigation lights
- interior lighting
- stereo
- (spare)
- master power

Should I also invest in a fuse box?
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Thanks guys...

Re: Fuse box necessary?

Posted: Aug 06, 2019 6:38 pm
by Hippie459MN
I am going to be running a fuse block and relay panel. Im going to get to work on getting it wired up this weekend hopefully. I plan to add a radio eventually, the lights for the gauges, navigation lights, bilge pump, etc... I have had stuff almost burn down in the past from not having fuses so if I can fuse it, I am going too. lol

Re: Fuse box necessary?

Posted: Aug 06, 2019 6:53 pm
by AdamDK
Good to know.

Now, where would an ideal place be to mount it?

[ Post made via Android ] Image

Re: Fuse box necessary?

Posted: Aug 06, 2019 8:37 pm
by Hippie459MN
Im going to mount mine under the deck just behind the dash as close to the center as I can I think. Going to use some 1/2 inch marine ply I have left here and mount everything then put t-nuts in the wood and then glass it under there. Thats my thought anyways. Im going to get it laid out this weekend and see where it will work out best.

Re: Fuse box necessary?

Posted: Aug 08, 2019 6:49 pm
by idvette
Same switch panel I used in mine. I bought a fairly large fuse panel, mounted it to the back side of the dash.
Blue Sea Systems Fuse Block ST Blade with Ground Cover


More than I'll need, but can wire +12v, switched ignition and bussed ground.

[ Post made via Android ] Image

Re: Fuse box necessary?

Posted: Aug 12, 2019 12:46 pm
by alaskastreamin
I ran a fuse panel for everything but the gauges and trim switches. The fuse under the cowl at the starter solenoid is sized to run the harness off the motor control harness and accessories.
Lights, bilge, stereo, etc should come off a separate circuit. I put a 20-25 amp fuse right at the battery and a #10 up to the fuse panel then the smaller fuses on the panel run to the accessories. Of course, I run a #10 ground as well and tie in a jumper to a gauge close to the ground lug on the fuse panel or ground bar just to tie the two ground systems together.

Re: Fuse box necessary?

Posted: Aug 12, 2019 1:20 pm
by AdamDK
By #10 you mean AWG (wire gauge) size?

[ Post made via Android ] Image

Re: Fuse box necessary?

Posted: Aug 12, 2019 2:18 pm
by alaskastreamin
Yes. I believe #10 AWG is the size for 25 amp. #12 - 20 Amp, #14- 15Amp and so on..... Don't let the wire be your fuse.