Breaker Switches?

[BillyT0020]

Hey Guys,
I will be installing a Xantrex Truecharge 20A Battery Charger this spring and need to locate an additional breaker switch for the panel as the boat does not currently have a charger. Im guessing a 20A breaker will be fine. I don't have any un-used switches on the panel but do have spaces. Anybody know where I can get one? Tried ebay but no luck.
Thanks,
Billy

 

[techmitch]

Try this http://www.fpmarine.com/images-website/P1040750.jpg great site for alot of stuff... http://www.fpmarine.com/Electrical.htm#switches

 

[Henry Boyd]

Billy,

According to my SR manual the AC converter (charger) on the 02 280 used a 10 amp breaker switch on the AC circuit. There are also two 15 amp breakers on the the DC side for each battery. Does Xantrex suggest using 20 amp? The One on the AC side is a combination breaker and switch, and just breakers on the DC side. The AC side turns the charger on/off and isolates it from shore power. The DC side should have one for each battery

I don't know what the older boats used, but have you tried taking one of your existing breaker switches /breakers out and comparing them to the current parts available for Sea Ray?

Henry

 

[BillyT0020]

Try this http://www.fpmarine.com/images-website/P1040750.jpg great site for alot of stuff... http://www.fpmarine.com/Electrical.htm#switches

Thanks Ill give them a try!

Billy

 

[BillyT0020]

Billy,

According to my SR manual the AC converter (charger) on the 02 280 used a 10 amp breaker switch on the AC circuit. There are also two 15 amp breakers on the the DC side for each battery. Does Xantrex suggest using 20 amp? The One on the AC side is a combination breaker and switch, and just breakers on the DC side. The AC side turns the charger on/off and isolates it from shore power. The DC side should have one for each battery

I don't know what the older boats used, but have you tried taking one of your existing breaker switches /breakers out and comparing them to the current parts available for Sea Ray?

Henry

Henry,
Thanks for the advice, I wasn't really sure what size fuse to use and figured that if it was a 20A output charger then a 20A breaker would make sense, but I am no electrical expert by any means. I will go with the 10A breaker, that is if I can find them!

I have not tried to take the breaker out yet, and hope it doesn't come to that because that means I will have to remove one of the breakers that are currently wired and I haven't even been behind the panel to see what all that entails.

I do know there is a main power switch, a fridge/outlet switch and an electric stove switch and that's it. I do believe that there are 2 extra slots where I could put the charger and maybe someday an inverter or hot water heater. All the AC breakers/appliances run off shore power because of the lack of a DC inverter and nothing works while underway.

Pretty basic boat really, there's only 1 AC outlet in the galley and none anywhere else. If it comes to taking one of the current breakers out and to a Sea Ray dealer for comparison to the new model breakers I certainly will do that!

Thanks,
Billy

 

[BillyT0020]

After checking in with Great Lakes Skipper (ebay) I was able to find a switch that I think will work with the old Sea Ray Breakers.

Here's the link to the one I bought for the charger.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=200210986638

I will let you all know how it works out in case anyone else needs them as well.

Thanks,

 

[Mr Salt]

The battery charge manual should tell you the size of the circuit breaker that you need to do the job appropriately. You are messing with both AC and DC and from your comments this sounds like it could be an area you are unsure of. So the job is not a good idea for you. It also sounds like you do not have a wiring diagram. In proper wiring can start a boat fire and then the money you saved by doing it yourself will be totally insignificant.

I wish you well

Mr Salt
2001 540 CPMY
Caterpillar C-12s
Cape May, NJ

 

[Henry Boyd]

I agree with Mr. Salt. This is one job that should not be done as an 'on the job training project'. There is a similar thread going over in the Sport Boat forum. I have posted the AC supply side wiring diagram for my 02 280 to help explain all of what is needed. Here is the link:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?p=192301#post192301

Henry

 

[BillyT0020]

The battery charge manual should tell you the size of the circuit breaker that you need to do the job appropriately. You are messing with both AC and DC and from your comments this sounds like it could be an area you are unsure of. So the job is not a good idea for you. It also sounds like you do not have a wiring diagram. In proper wiring can start a boat fire and then the money you saved by doing it yourself will be totally insignificant.

I wish you well

Mr Salt
2001 540 CPMY
Caterpillar C-12s
Cape May, NJ[/quote

Mr. Salt,

Thanks for you concern. I did check the manual and it stated that a 10A breaker is recommended so I should be good to go. The problem was never which breaker to use, it was where to find one that would fit the old panel which parts for have been long since discontinued. I will not be touching DC power as my boat has no inverter and AC shorepower is the only source to run the electrical system. I'm simply running another line off the breaker panel to power the battery charger when plugged in at the dock.

You are correct that I'm not real sure what I am doing but it should be a pretty simple job as others have stated. I'm confident that I will have a good idea of everything when I get behind the panel and see how the fridge and outlets are wired.

Thanks,
Billy