too low cable cross-section in wiring loom, Sea ray 215EC 1996?

[Jensemann23]

I have a large voltage drop on my fusepanel behind dash when ex the stereo is on high volume. At the battery terminals i measure 12,6 volts (engine stopped) and on the main distribution panel behind dash i measure only 11,6. I i turn up the volume on the stereo too much, the stereo cuts out and in and the voltage is fluctuating with the music between 11,0 and 11,6. I tried to use a thick cable directly from batt negative and connected it to the negative terminal on the dist.panel/fuse holder and then the voltage came back to 12,4-12,5 and the stereo was working fine. Is the wiring cross section in Sea Rays generally too low? I am considering adding new main cables straight from the main switch to the fuse panel.

There is also a ground hub with a much thicker cable visible inside the dash, it has one thick and 4-5 thinner black cables connected to it. Can I simply put a jumper cable from this gruond bus to the fuse manel neative terminal? What is the purpose of the ground hub? Is it for the trim?

 

[Lazy Daze]

The ground bus is simply a way of avoiding having to run larger gauge wires back to the battery/engine.

The wires that were put in the boat from the factory are more than sufficient and you should not experience any problems under normal usage, unless...

- A higher wattage stereo was installed (by a previous owner) incorrectly.
- Or, and this is where my head is at, you have corrosion on either the various electrical terminals/connections or creeping up inside the wire jacket.

Assuming a stock (or similar in terms of power) stereo, and before you start replacing things... Inspect, remove, clean (replace if needed) all connections starting at the batteries and finishing at the dash. While "jumping" a wire in may solve the problem, it's only a "band aid" and you'll shortly end up with other electrical "gremlins" finding a way to ruin your time on the water.

 

[Jensemann23]

The ground bus is simply a way of avoiding having to run larger gauge wires back to the battery/engine.

The wires that were put in the boat from the factory are more than sufficient and you should not experience any problems under normal usage, unless...

- A higher wattage stereo was installed (by a previous owner) incorrectly.
- Or, and this is where my head is at, you have corrosion on either the various electrical terminals/connections or creeping up inside the wire jacket.

Assuming a stock (or similar in terms of power) stereo, and before you start replacing things... Inspect, remove, clean (replace if needed) all connections starting at the batteries and finishing at the dash. While "jumping" a wire in may solve the problem, it's only a "band aid" and you'll shortly end up with other electrical "gremlins" finding a way to ruin your time on the water.

Thanks you for the answer I will check all connections. Where does the main wires from the dash fusebox ene up? On the starter motor?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yes, power feed at dash comes from starter motor fuse.