The Boat Shed - Switch Panel & Circuit Breaker Wanted

Switch Panel & Circuit Breaker Wanted

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Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Boat Shed
Forum Description: Discuss all things boating.
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=75415
Printed Date: 11 Jun 2026 at 10:17pm

Topic: Switch Panel & Circuit Breaker Wanted

Posted By: Breakaway
Subject: Switch Panel & Circuit Breaker Wanted
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2012 at 10:57am

Have decided to tidy up wiring on boat. Currently everything going to a bus bar that is attached behind the instrument panel. Nothing wrong in that in itself, but I think in the event that something was to play up while out on the water, it's a bit awkward squeezing behind it while the boat rocking and rolling.

I though a switch panel with resettable fuses would be the way to go.

I've just browse and reckon a 6 switch panel is the go.

Question about the wiring. Given that the new switch panel will have fuses, I'm thinking that all I would need to do would be to cut out the fuses already and rejoin the wires, then just run one wire from the bus bar to the new switch panel. (obviously making sure that I use the same fuse sizes that I already have).

Am I on the right track? any recommendation about the brand and price of panel. the prices I've seen hugely on prices. It needs to be waterproof rather than splash proof.

Replies:

Posted By: Olfart
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2012 at 11:10am

I'm about to do the same job on my boat, Stu...

Have decided to use a busbar for earthing and a splash-proof 6-way spade type fuse box for all the power connections. This way only one earth wire and one power wire from the batteries so can make things nice and tidy (hopefully). The fuse box will be hidden away under the helm station so highly unlikely to get wet, therefore I think the splash-proof type should be adequate for my needs..

The busbar was $19 and the fusebox was $39.95 from Smart Marine. The biggest cost was buying heavier cable (4mm tinned) for the main wiring. From memory, I think this was $10/meter or thereabouts and then a few extra bucks for appropriate sized terminals etc...

I'll still be using my original switch panel and will make fresh connections from/to the fuse box...

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Semper in excreta sumus, solum profundum variat....

Posted By: Big -Dave
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2012 at 11:49am

While circuit breakers sound nice as in you can just reset them, fuses are more reliable, in particular the spade type. keep a small ziplok bag of spare fuses on the boat.
I have found the round glass ones that are spring loaded to be unreliable, as in if I come off a wave with a big thump, they break contact momentarily.
Tinned wiring is a must.
Never use the hull(if alloy) for an earth return.

As for the switch panel, the toggle type switches with the rubber boot over them are the most water proof and reliable. Not the little rocker types.

bare brass busbars will eventually corrode as well, used tinned (silver) ones.