International owners

fourreins · Post by **fourreins** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:14 pm

Does anyone know what is the most common breaker size on the breaker panel or do they range from 10-15-20???? Adding a couple lights under the swim platform and was just looking to take the power from the switch on the back of the boat that currently runs the overhead light. I am looking to run about 12 amps for the lights.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:46 am

just posting a note to remind all the newer 10 meter owners that those "toggle" switches in the main panel are actually Airpax circuit breakers.

Everyone needs to be aware of this and to make certain that the safety of the vessel and crewsare not compromised as previous owners have unknowingly substituted plain toggle switches for these Airpax breakers.

Another Trojan...... safety ....... tip

PRACTICE SAFE BOATING the TROJAN WAY......

RWS

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:22 am

+1 A good reminder RWS

fourreins · Post by **fourreins** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:27 am

What makes an Airpax breaker different?

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:02 am

Whatâ€™s unique about them is that they look like regular toggle switches. RWS is pointing out that this must be considered should one of these fail. Some folks have unknowingly replaced them with toggle switches, which then leaves the circuit unprotected.

Mike Kulp · Post by **Mike Kulp** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:39 am

It has been some time since I had my 12 v panel apart but I think 15 amp's was very common.

gardnersf · Post by **gardnersf** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:01 pm

Most are 15 amps, but to be honest, as long as you match the load with the wiring size (and wiring length) to the breaker then you are fine.

S.A.M. · Post by **S.A.M.** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:44 am

Are these known as the T-11's?

fourreins · Post by **fourreins** » Thu May 17, 2012 8:15 am

Let me start with I am no electrician! I added three transom lights to by swim platform. My friend helped me with the wiring and I just want to make sure all sounds good. We took the power from the light switch on the back of the boat which used to run the dome light above the glass door. That light now by passes the switch and turn on and off just by the switch on the light itself. Anyway, the transom lights are now wired to the switch and all seems good. I have three lights that each draw 4 amps for a total of 12. I pulled the cover on the dc side to see if I could determine what size the breaker is and each breaker has a yellow sticker on the. The sticker reads 15.0 A -6532-3 125vol. I assume this means it is a 15 amp breaker????? What do you all think?

todd brinkerhoff · Post by **todd brinkerhoff** » Thu May 17, 2012 8:36 am

Its 15 amps. It sounds like you should be all set, as long as you don't reinstall the cockpit lights. It's about what the wire can handle, not the breaker. Current breakers were set up for the size and length of wire installed.

fourreins · Post by **fourreins** » Mon May 21, 2012 11:19 pm

how can I determine what the current wire gauge is to the switch on the back of the boat that I am using to run my swim platform lights? Will the wire be marked? I am running three lights at 4 amps each for about a total run of 20 feet. Ten feet out and ten back. I am thinking I need a 10 gauge wire???

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:58 pm

Swim platform lights are not considered a critical system therefore a 10% voltage drop is acceptable. For the details you provided, you could get away with 16 awg but personally I like to move up to the next size if practical. This allows for future expantion with the right size breaker, so I say 14 awg.

fourreins · Post by **fourreins** » Tue May 22, 2012 10:05 pm

Big D, Since I am picking up power from the light switch on the back of the boat and running the new wire from there do I need to be concerned with what size the wire is that runs from the panel to the light switch. Just concerned if I run 14 from the switch to the new lights and the existing wire from the panel to the light switch may be less. Would this be a concern?

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue May 22, 2012 10:11 pm

Most deffinitely have to consider the whole circuit and treat it as one. So this means from the breaker at the panel to the lights and back to the panel or closest negative terminal block.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue May 22, 2012 10:21 pm

Do you have a positive terminal block in the engine compartment? It may be easier and less expensive to start a new circuit from there rather than going to the electrical panel. You can use an ATO fuse at the block to protect the circuit.

This holder makes for a neat and robust installation
http://s246612274.onlinehome.us/wiringd ... e80fe29420