Downrigger Wiring

Tug · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:20 pm Post subject: Downrigger Wiring

I have always connected my downriggers directly to the battery,i am in the process of cleaning up and removing unneccesary connections to the batteries. I there any reason why the downrigger wiring can not be routed the to the fuse block.Thanks Tug

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 1:18 pm Post subject:

Tug, they use quite a bit of current I think. If the fuse block you're speaking of is the one you plan to put behind the helm, that's a long run from the batteries forward and back to near the stern again. I'd put a separate circuit for them directly from the batteries and fused separately from everything else.

Charlie

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: Downrigger Wiring

Tug · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 1:28 pm Post subject:

As i have it now. the riggers are wired directly to the battery. What i want to do is run the rigger wires back to the fuse block i have mounted behind the Port helm blockhead and use a 20-30 amp fuse.Charlie did you mean use a separate fuse for each downrigger. Tug

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:39 pm Post subject:

Wow, you have a port helm blockhead? My helm is mounted on the starboard side on a "bulkhead".

I wouldn't run the wiring up to the helm area. I'd put a separate fuse in for each downrigger and hook them directly to the batteries if the batteries are in the stern.

Charlie

rogerbum · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:41 pm Post subject:

Good catch Charlie. In my case, mounting behind the "helm blockhead" would be just behind my seat.

Tug · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 3:06 pm Post subject:

Charlie..ha!ha! You are right, i will leave them as they stand, hooked up one rigger to each battery, but i have never fused any riggers i have owned and have been using them for years with a problem.As an insurance measure i will fuse them, it isn't hard to do.Tug

rogerbum · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 3:12 pm Post subject:

Tug,

I'd strongly recommend in-line fuses. Not having a problem for years is not equal to not needing to avoid future problems. A short through an un-fused large gauge wire can draw A LOT of current and start a fire. Fiberglass burns to the water line quite quickly. A couple of in-line fuses is cheap insurance (and now that you've posted in a public forum that you don't use any fuses on your down riggers, I doubt your insurance company will cover loss due to a fire started by this wiring Wink

).

Tug · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 3:37 pm Post subject:

They may not if i had one but, in-line fuses are a great safety measure, i will do that tomorrow.Thanks Tug

C-Hawk · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject:

I have a bus bar in the lazerette that the downriggers are wired to. The bus bar is connected through the battery switch. There are inline blade fuses for each downrigger.

thataway · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:02 pm Post subject:

Roger on C Hawk is doing it correctly. You do not want unfused items, except the engine starter. Then you want to have them after the switch. Potentially with one on each battery, you could run down both batteries. What he is doing is within ABYC standards (assuming a master fuse or breaker within 7" of each battery.

ghone · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:51 pm Post subject:

sure good to see you posting Dr Bob, I hope each day is getting better for you. I'm keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. George