40 sedan bridge forum
- Thread starter Caseclosed
- Start date
david_h
Member
- Aug 9, 2015
- 79
- Boat Info
- 2000 Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge (400DB)
- Engines
- CAT 3126 350 HP
Transmissions: ZFMarine IRM 220 A-1
House Ground?
I am adding a dual USB charging port, with 12v meter to the galley/salon divider here:
I plan on picking up the 12v from the salon light switch, (unswitched side). Now that all my lights are LED the power draw is 1/10th compared to incandescent. For the ground, I was planning on using the bus bar located in the bilge right by the AC recirculation pump.
Does anyone know of a better/closer house ground?
tks
Dave
I am adding a dual USB charging port, with 12v meter to the galley/salon divider here:
I plan on picking up the 12v from the salon light switch, (unswitched side). Now that all my lights are LED the power draw is 1/10th compared to incandescent. For the ground, I was planning on using the bus bar located in the bilge right by the AC recirculation pump.
Does anyone know of a better/closer house ground?
tks
Dave
TotallyGross
Active Member
- Mar 19, 2016
- 177
- Boat Info
- 2002 400 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge
Pho King Gross
- Engines
- Sweet Cummins 6CTA 8.3
The 12 V outlet has a black and white for DC power that I picked up to run mine. I just installed this last month. Note: I didn’t have it fit properly yet that’s why it’s not aligned perfectly. I use the meter to watch house bank power. Still have the 12 V outlet for my DC fan and the dual USB. Love the convenience.
david_h
Member
- Aug 9, 2015
- 79
- Boat Info
- 2000 Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge (400DB)
- Engines
- CAT 3126 350 HP
Transmissions: ZFMarine IRM 220 A-1
Wow 'Totally', I have not seen a charging panel that large before!!
Was your wiring to that charging panel pre-existing, (perhaps a simpler 12v outlet)? If you ran the wiring, where did you pick up power and ground?
And was that charging panel an Amazon purchase?
Dave
Was your wiring to that charging panel pre-existing, (perhaps a simpler 12v outlet)? If you ran the wiring, where did you pick up power and ground?
And was that charging panel an Amazon purchase?
Dave
scooper321
Well-Known Member
Isn’t that bus bar an AC ground? I’m not sure I would use it. Try to keep AC and DC grounds separate so noise from AC appliances doesn’t feed back to your DC devices. That’s one way you can get buzzing in your stereo, for example. Don’t know if it would harm a USB port or not. But there has to be a DC ground in there somewhere, right? Didn’t you have a 12v aux port there already (looked like a cig lighter)? It should have a ground.
TotallyGross
Active Member
- Mar 19, 2016
- 177
- Boat Info
- 2002 400 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge
Pho King Gross
- Engines
- Sweet Cummins 6CTA 8.3
Correct. I had a 12 volt cigarette style outlet right in that spot. I pulled the power from that. DC style outlet and just added this in its place. I like that I can switch it off. I can see the voltage if inside the salon at a glance if not running the gen. The ports can be moved to the locations you want in the quad.
Kohree 12V Marine Car Charger Socket Panel, 4 in 1 Waterproof Boat Cell Phone Rocker Switch Panel with 12 Volt Dual USB Power Outlet Cigarette Lighter Socket for RV Marine Boat Camper Truck Automotive https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T9HC65...abc_P866ZD88AQCACV1ND3YD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Kohree 12V Marine Car Charger Socket Panel, 4 in 1 Waterproof Boat Cell Phone Rocker Switch Panel with 12 Volt Dual USB Power Outlet Cigarette Lighter Socket for RV Marine Boat Camper Truck Automotive https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T9HC65...abc_P866ZD88AQCACV1ND3YD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
david_h
Member
- Aug 9, 2015
- 79
- Boat Info
- 2000 Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge (400DB)
- Engines
- CAT 3126 350 HP
Transmissions: ZFMarine IRM 220 A-1
Hey 'Scooper', on my 2000, there is no cigarette lighter outlet there. Must be a later year add. So I have to add any wiring.
I will verify that the ground bar is AC or DC and search around a bit more if necessary.
tks
Dave
I will verify that the ground bar is AC or DC and search around a bit more if necessary.
tks
Dave
scooper321
Well-Known Member
You know, I thought about that right after I hit Post Reply! Mine might be an after market add-on, too.
scooper321
Well-Known Member
That thing is amazing. Configurable and super easy to splice in. You know I hate you for giving me ideas like this, don't you?
TotallyGross
Active Member
- Mar 19, 2016
- 177
- Boat Info
- 2002 400 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge
Pho King Gross
- Engines
- Sweet Cummins 6CTA 8.3
HA. The only problem was the 2 shorter module threads were not thick enough to get through the wood in that cabinet.
Working against the GFCI behind it required some removal of the inside thickness of the cabinet and then it worked like a charm.
scooper321
Well-Known Member
I'm missing something. Why didn't you just make a large square cutout, slightly smaller than the faceplate (with enough cabinet left over to mount the plate)? Then the threads only need to go through the plastic of the faceplate.
TotallyGross
Active Member
- Mar 19, 2016
- 177
- Boat Info
- 2002 400 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge
Pho King Gross
- Engines
- Sweet Cummins 6CTA 8.3
The 4 devices are held to the plate by “largeish” plastic locknuts. If I cut around them completely I was concerned about the laminate splintering and being visible. there is not much space above and below the devices. I also left as much cabinet/wood as possible because the GFCI pushes on the backs of the wire terminals and I didn’t want the whole thing to bow outward.
scooper321
Well-Known Member
Interesting. That gives me a bit more to consider. That panel is super cool, but also quite large. I have a single AUX port w/ voltage readout device that I haven't installed anywhere yet. It's not exactly this one, but it's similar:
https://www.amazon.com/Charger-ADSD...cs&sprefix=marine+usb+,electronics,162&sr=1-3
I was thinking it installing it upstairs, on the port side, so the Mrs. would have a charging port and not have to rely on the AC plug that's there. But now I'm considering putting this one with the readout and the two plug in the cabin in place of the DC AUX port that's already there. I can either move the AUX port that is there now upstairs, or find a white one for upstairs. And here I thought with the interior remodel I was done boat projects for the season!
ZZ13
Well-Known Member
Could someone list the step by step procedure for removing the forward dinette backrest. I am replacing all the dinette vinyl seat covering with microfiber. As well as replacing the worn out forward seat foam. Aft seat foam is fine as that side has hardly ever been sat on. Cant see the tv from that one. Ha!
scooper321
Well-Known Member
Fires up the engines for the first time this season. All went well but by starboard voltage gauge seems to have a mind of its own. Its going up and down on a regular basis - not jumping around or getting stuck like a grounding or bad connection issue. Video at the link below. Weird that it’s jumping 2V, too... that’s a big span! Any thoughts?
https://youtube.com/shorts/q44MBcV4qQ4
https://youtube.com/shorts/q44MBcV4qQ4
ZZ13
Well-Known Member
That’s your air grid heater cycling on and off to warm the incoming air. Surprised it still works. Most have burned themselves up by now. Looks like your port isn’t working. They are fire hazards in my book. I completely removed all the circuitry and wiring for mine. Don’t need them where I boat.
