OllyO Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I've a desire to get my newly acquired boat electrics cupboard looking tidy and easy to navigate. Ideally I need something in the region on a 12-way board for all the various equipment, circuits, ring mains etc Does anyone know of a simple smart looking product for 12v that would be up to the job? I don't really want to use the domestic rcd type as they very bulky. ive seen these on 12v planet but not sure if a max load of 20amp is up to it? http://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/12-way-mini-switch-fuse-panel.html the inverter circuits and shore line will be going through small domestic units Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 (edited) 14 minutes ago, OllyO said: ive seen these on 12v planet but not sure if a max load of 20amp is up to it? What size did you want? Blue sea and also BEP sell them, but they are expensive Edited June 14, 2017 by rusty69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OllyO Posted June 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 12 way would do I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croftie Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Assuming you mean 12v only (you mentioned ring main) I recently used something like these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-Way-Blade-Fuse-Box-Positive-Bus-with-LED-Failure-Warning-Light-12V-24V-/252185736041?hash=item3ab770f369:g:YSsAAOSwnipWVeut Various sellers do them from 4 to 10 circuits. You could use 2 x 6 or even 2 x 10 to give a few spares Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 BlueSea do a surface mounted circuit breaker block if you want surface mount rather than panel based. https://www.bluesea.com/products/category/14/106/Circuit_Breakers/Circuit_Breaker_Blocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen-in-Wellies Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 (edited) Deleted as it was a bit dumb. Jen Edited June 14, 2017 by Jen-in-Wellies not very bright post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 1 hour ago, OllyO said: ive seen these on 12v planet but not sure if a max load of 20amp is up to it? It's 20A per circuit. 30A total. As to whether it's up to it - what's your max 12V demand that will be fed from it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I have 2 of the ASAP 12 way panels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OllyO Posted June 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Looks smart, are they quality? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 2 minutes ago, OllyO said: Looks smart, are they quality? They work OK - not had any problems with them, switches 'feel' good, fuse holders 'firm' so I guess - yes - they are a good quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanA Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Worth looking st GS controls reasonable quality at reasonable (by marine standards) price. Includes Resettable circuit breakers can't understand why anyone would want to faff about with fuses. gscontrols.com I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 1 hour ago, jonathanA said: Worth looking st GS controls reasonable quality at reasonable (by marine standards) price. Includes Resettable circuit breakers can't understand why anyone would want to faff about with fuses. gscontrols.com I think I've got two 6 way panels from gs and am happy with them. Resettable breakers...look quite nice...no trouble at all in 5 years use... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hounddog Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 14 hours ago, OllyO said: I've a desire to get my newly acquired boat electrics cupboard looking tidy and easy to navigate. Ideally I need something in the region on a 12-way board for all the various equipment, circuits, ring mains etc Does anyone know of a simple smart looking product for 12v that would be up to the job? I don't really want to use the domestic rcd type as they very bulky. ive seen these on 12v planet but not sure if a max load of 20amp is up to it? http://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/12-way-mini-switch-fuse-panel.html the inverter circuits and shore line will be going through small domestic units Personally I think that type looks a little old-fashioned. These are easy to fit and good quality (you don't need switches, just pull the fuse) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-Way-Blade-Fuse-Box-Bus-Bar-With-Cover-Marine-Kit-Car-Boat-HGV-12V-24V-/192217279549 and for any higher loads, e.g. inverter, fridge, solar input, use individual midi fuses http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-AMP-MIDI-FUSE-BLUE-MIDI-STRIP-LINK-FUSE-HOLDER-CAR-AUTO-HEAVY-DUTY-100A-/191994605661?var=&hash=item2cb3c5305d:m:mWBRFneYKBo36WrcNd7ERDg (these are not recommended suppliers just examples of each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OllyO Posted June 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Cheers For that Jonathan, GS looks to be just the job and as you say resettable breakers are much much better than fuses. The price looks good to. Those blue sea jobs looked good but their prices verge on criminal!!! Cheers hound dog but I have that type in my vechiles and when a fuse goes it's a right pain trying to work out which one it is. Fiddly things and messy with exposed wiring. i know what you mean about the other type looking dated though. Mine will be in a cupboard though so just want the most practical and neatest job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen-in-Wellies Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 +1 for the GS panels. My boat has a twelve way one. Nine years and never caused any problems. Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanA Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 7 hours ago, hounddog said: Personally I think that type looks a little old-fashioned. These are easy to fit and good quality (you don't need switches, just pull the fuse) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-Way-Blade-Fuse-Box-Bus-Bar-With-Cover-Marine-Kit-Car-Boat-HGV-12V-24V-/192217279549 and for any higher loads, e.g. inverter, fridge, solar input, use individual midi fuses http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-AMP-MIDI-FUSE-BLUE-MIDI-STRIP-LINK-FUSE-HOLDER-CAR-AUTO-HEAVY-DUTY-100A-/191994605661?var=&hash=item2cb3c5305d:m:mWBRFneYKBo36WrcNd7ERDg (these are not recommended suppliers just examples of each. And you think that doesn't look old fashioned? Each to their own ... and pulling fuses is ok in an emergency but not practical for everyday I'd say - just my opinion of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croftie Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 8 minutes ago, jonathanA said: And you think that doesn't look old fashioned? Each to their own ... and pulling fuses is ok in an emergency but not practical for everyday I'd say - just my opinion of course Hounddog's first one is similar to the one I posted earlier which I have used, as the op is putting them in a cupboard (like mine) appearance may not be too great a concern. The ones I used had LED lights to show if a fuse has blown. The thread was after all about fuse boards rather than fused switch panels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hounddog Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 30 minutes ago, croftie said: Hounddog's first one is similar to the one I posted earlier which I have used, as the op is putting them in a cupboard (like mine) appearance may not be too great a concern. The ones I used had LED lights to show if a fuse has blown. The thread was after all about fuse boards rather than fused switch panels. Switches on fuse panels have always struck me as redundant unless they are part of the control system, for instance in a yacht. In a ULV domestic situation they are just a nuisance (especially if in a cupboard) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanA Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 6 hours ago, croftie said: Hounddog's first one is similar to the one I posted earlier which I have used, as the op is putting them in a cupboard (like mine) appearance may not be too great a concern. The ones I used had LED lights to show if a fuse has blown. The thread was after all about fuse boards rather than fused switch panels. Sure but then you went on to say you would pull the fuse instead of using a switch .... I think there is difference between circuit protection and control or switching and boating convention seems to be to have the two functions together or even combined (as in some of the expensive blue sea stuff) the real point I was making is why would you use fuses when a resettable breaker is far superior In every way. Can you even buy domestic consumer units with fuses these days ? Which speaks volumes I'd say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 8 hours ago, jonathanA said: Sure but then you went on to say you would pull the fuse instead of using a switch .... I think there is difference between circuit protection and control or switching and boating convention seems to be to have the two functions together or even combined (as in some of the expensive blue sea stuff) the real point I was making is why would you use fuses when a resettable breaker is far superior In every way. Can you even buy domestic consumer units with fuses these days ? Which speaks volumes I'd say Breakers are not superior in every way. They offer far less discrimination than a fuse. Whilst this doesn't matter for most things, there are circuits, particularly in critical environments where the better discrimination of a fuse is needed. Fuses manufactured to BS88 will blow at twice the rated current. Depending on the type of breaker, it will trip between 3 and 5 times rated current. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hounddog Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 41 minutes ago, cuthound said: Breakers are not superior in every way. They offer far less discrimination than a fuse. Whilst this doesn't matter for most things, there are circuits, particularly in critical environments where the better discrimination of a fuse is needed. Fuses manufactured to BS88 will blow at twice the rated current. Depending on the type of breaker, it will trip between 3 and 5 times rated current. The reality is that a fuse(or a breaker) will only blow in a fault condition. It is to be hoped that everyday life can be enjoyed on a boat without continual occurrences of electrical faults. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 1 hour ago, hounddog said: The reality is that a fuse(or a breaker) will only blow in a fault condition. It is to be hoped that everyday life can be enjoyed on a boat without continual occurrences of electrical faults. However, on a typical narrowboat installation how often do you switch off a circuit? I'd venture never unless you're performing maintenance on a circuit - adding a new light fitting etc. Therefore the simplest fuse panel is all that's required, particularly if it's going to be in a cupboard. If you need to work on a circuit, pull the (clearly labelled) fuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 1 hour ago, hounddog said: The reality is that a fuse(or a breaker) will only blow in a fault condition. It is to be hoped that everyday life can be enjoyed on a boat without continual occurrences of electrical faults. Fuses can also fail due to ageing, especially in equipment that runs them close to their limits, but is frequently turned on and off. Most critical installations change fuses every 5 years to avoid nuisance blowing through ageing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OllyO Posted June 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 for my part thanks for all the recommendations. Lots of differing opinions on this subject and I'm sure everyone is different in their various expectations of these components. im happy with the GS design, style and price and it appeals to my slightly OCD minds need for order when it comes to electrics!!!! thanks again all! Much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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