Novice ?, AC/DC wiring

[Tonysca6]

I am replacing the 120v tv's in the forward & aft cabins with new ac/dc combo units. My question is do I have to run a new dc circuit for each tv or can I intercept an existing nearby dc circuit? Both tv's are on the starboard side of the boat. If new circuits need run, any suggestions as to which breaker to wire from?:huh:

 

[peterkvs]

If you have room in your DC panel, I would add an accessory breaker for the new TVs. Power the breaker from the 12V bus and run separate leads from that breaker to each TV. You would need to size the breaker so that it can handle the current of both TVs and then put an inline fuse at each TV. So say the TV draws 4 amps each. But a 10 Amp breaker in the panel and then put 5 amp fuses inline at the TV. That way everything is protected. If you don't have room in the panel to add a breaker, you could put two inline fuses at the 12V bus and run the wires from the fuse to each of the TV. Not as elegant, but everything is still protected that way.

Good luck,

Pete

 

[JimG]

If you have room in your DC panel, I would add an accessory breaker for the new TVs. Power the breaker from the 12V bus and run separate leads from that breaker to each TV. You would need to size the breaker so that it can handle the current of both TVs and then put an inline fuse at each TV. So say the TV draws 4 amps each. But a 10 Amp breaker in the panel and then put 5 amp fuses inline at the TV. That way everything is protected. If you don't have room in the panel to add a breaker, you could put two inline fuses at the 12V bus and run the wires from the fuse to each of the TV. Not as elegant, but everything is still protected that way.

Good luck,

Pete

Good starting advice... Select the wire size for the current requirement, and then size the breaker to protect the wire, not the TV's. You don't need fuses at the TV's in any scenario.

 

[JimFromMD]

Hey Tony,
Will be doing this upgrade myself here in a few weeks now that I finally have the shrink wrap off. My understanding is that you can tap into a local 12v line if that's what you are planning. I'm looking at one of the dual voltage ac/dc models, but plan to operate it in DC mode all the time. The 19" tv/dvd model I was looking at draws under 50 watts so that shouldnt require a separate circut/run.... at least thats what I was told.

James