Location of Electrical Panels 110/12

[sarafina]

I understand that in a perfect world the 110 and 12 volt panels are located at some remove from each other. I believe this is to prevent idiots from wiring 110 volt lines into 12 volt breakers/fuses/circuits.

In the world I am living in today I have a combined panel from a Catalina 30 that has the 110 on the left, the battery switches in the enter and the 12 volt on the right.

The panel is the perfect size to fit in a location that is easy to see and accessible without using up real estate that might be more profitably used for other purposes.

How relevant is this issue? Are there reasons other than rampant stupidity for separating them? Experience anyone?

Also will I ruin the performance irreparably if I locate the batteries and charger 12 feet away from the panel?

[AnchorageGuy]

I would say the 99.99999999999% of the panels on boats have the AC and DC panels combined, including ours, which I replaced a while back. Who ever does the work needs to have a good understanding of how a boat should be wired. The distance from the batteries and charger are not a problem BUT the wiring needs to be sized accordingly, that's all part of the need to know about the proper way to wire a boat. Chuck

The Trawler Beach House: Replacing The Boats Main Electrical Panel

[mitiempo]

Combined panels or separate panels in the same location are most common. The back of the AC panel should be covered - per ABYC and common sense.

If you are doing a complete rewire use yellow for the DC negative and it can't ever be confused for AC hot which is black.

Distance from panel to batteries and charger is not a problem really. The feed from batteries to panel need not be too large as the panel at max amperage wouldn't be very high - you can add items up to determine.

The larger issue is the batteries to switch and back to engine. If it is 12' away that is 24 feet total for wire sizing and it may end up being 3/0 or 4/0 for minimal voltage drop - quite expensive.

[sarafina]

Oh how I love it when I get validation here that I DO know what I am doing ; -)

Yeah, the two wiring gurus at the marins today confirmed what you guys are saying so we are putting the panels where I want 'em, next to each other and out of the way of stuff.

We are NOT going to have circut breakes AND fuses, either. I think the "No Bundling 110 and 12v Wire Together" deal had Himself confused.

For us the "Back to engine" issue doesn't exist. We have an outboard ; -)

Thanks for the feed back!

[stillbuilding]

Separate boards for different power is required by most survey standards , but not relevant to most boats. Installation of AC requires sparky with appropriate certification - not so thick on the ground as DC qualification.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by stillbuilding

Separate boards for different power is required by most survey standards , but not relevant to most boats. Installation of AC requires sparky with appropriate certification - not so thick on the ground as DC qualification.

Where does it say boat AC installations require a certified electrician ???

Dave

[stillbuilding]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Where does it say boat AC installations require a certified electrician ???

Dave

For survey standard is a requirement by USL code at least.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by stillbuilding

For survey standard is a requirement by USL code at least.

" united soccer league" isn't that defunct. !!!

Dave