12v questions...simple 12v socket.

[rhr1956]

I want to add a dual socket to charge phones, run fan etc. I will be installing the socket unit in a cabinet in the cabin. The run will be less than 10 feet.

1. Can I bypass the panel and wire it directly to the battery?
2. I'm in fresh water-can I use plain wire or do I need marine grade?
3. What gauge wire should I use?
Thanks for your input.

[rtbates]

Originally Posted by rhr1956

I want to add a dual socket to charge phones, run fan etc. I will be installing the socket unit in a cabinet in the cabin. The run will be less than 10 feet.

1. Can I bypass the panel and wire it directly to the battery?
2. I'm in fresh water-can I use plain wire or do I need marine grade?
3. What gauge wire should I use?
Thanks for your input.

1. Very bad practice
2. See #1
3. Current draw??? try 14ga

You CAN do what you mentioned in #1 ,#2 most likely without any REAL issue FOR AWHILE

The NEXT owner will surely cuss you repeatedly for doing so...

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by rhr1956

I want to add a dual socket to charge phones, run fan etc. I will be installing the socket unit in a cabinet in the cabin. The run will be less than 10 feet.

1. Can I bypass the panel and wire it directly to the battery?
2. I'm in fresh water-can I use plain wire or do I need marine grade?
3. What gauge wire should I use?
Thanks for your input.

The power draw for the equipment you plan to use is very small, so small guage wire is fine. However once you wire up a cig socket many people will assume you can plug up to 10A draw into it. If you wire it up as only suitable for a small current make sure that's understood by everybody.
14 gauge is fine for you application, but sooner or later someone will plug a high power draw appliance into the socket. At least make sure it's well fused.

Tinned wire wil last longer, but non marine wire will still have a good service life.

Direct to the battery is a last resort, if you do this make sure it's well fused.

[rhr1956]

Thank you...Yes, I do plan to install an in-line fuse.

[US1Fountain]

Why is it bad practice to wire directly to battery if a fused is used?

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by US1Fountain

Why is it bad practice to wire directly to battery if a fused is used?

If there's a fire, and you turn off the batt main, it's nice to know you killed ALL the power

[bstreep]

As noted, someone will attempt to plug something into it they shouldn't. As well, SOME fans (we have one) draw some significant power. Therefore,

1) Use 10 gauge wire. It's 10 feet each way, and that's what counts (20 feet total).

2) Use tinned wire. Seriously, when you sell the boat, someone WILL notice if you uses untinned solid wire.

3) Run it through the panel, where it belongs. It's the right thing to do. AND, in the event of a fire, your insurance company won't be calling you names and/or denying your claim.

4) I know all of this, because this is EXACTLY the same project we are working on. I thought 14ga, a buddy in the business told me NO. Use 10ga. You never know what someone might do...

[Boracay]

I'll echo the above.

1) If there is nowhere on your panel for an extra circuit then it could be best to install additional circuits.
I'm thinking something like a branch circuit breaker panel with this outlet.
2) The additional cost for tinned wire makes it worth the extra. 10 gauge wire should be about right.
3) This looks to be your first wiring project. I found that most everything on Boracay involved wiring so the 7 extra circuits from the panel above should come in handy.
4) Don't forget to label each end of each wire, and use a consistent colour scheme. I used red for + and black for -. Would have been nice to use more colours for the different positive circuits but here in Oz we we can have any colour tinned wire as long as its red or black.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Boracay

I'll echo the above.

1) If there is nowhere on your panel for an extra circuit then it could be best to install additional circuits.
I'm thinking something like a branch circuit breaker panel with this outlet.
2) The additional cost for tinned wire makes it worth the extra. 10 gauge wire should be about right.
3) This looks to be your first wiring project. I found that most everything on Boracay involved wiring so the 7 extra circuits from the panel above should come in handy.
4) Don't forget to label each end of each wire, and use a consistent colour scheme. I used red for + and black for -. Would have been nice to use more colours for the different positive circuits but here in Oz we we can have any colour tinned wire as long as its red or black.

+1 and for identifying the different wires God invented coloured heat shrink!!

[rhr1956]

Alright...I'm sold. I'll run it through the panel. I do have a confession though...I can't find the negative bus bar...I've looked everywhere. Where could it be.

[Pete7]

Have they used an engine bolt as the neg bus bar? Ours had an engine mounting bolt with 6 wires on it. That got changed pretty quickly to a proper bus bar.

Pete

[rhr1956]

Nope...boat doesn't have an engine, just the outboard I put on.

[Sailmonkey]

Starboard cockpit locker on the fwd bulkhead?

[brantleychuck]

Start at the battery negative terminal and follow that wire, it will go to the negative buss