[C320-list] Install 'cigarette lighter' chargerat ignition switch housing

[bruceheyman at cox.net]

While the circuit breaker will protect the line fro catastrophic failure (fire) it will not insure that the instruments are seeing 12 volts.  It is quite possible to place a additional current load at the helm that will not trip the breaker but will cause a significant voltage drop across the line.  The result is your instruments could reset or go off line till the voltage is restored.
The best but not the easiest solution is a separate circuit with the proper gauge line.  Failing that a the addition of a fused socket that insures only low current items are plugged in should keep the instruments running reliably.
Bruce
Somerset 671 SoCal
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-----Original Message-----
From: <crashley at gte.net>

Date: Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:16:53 
To:<C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Install 'cigarette lighter' charger
 at	ignition	switch housing


That's what circuit breakers are for....


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "warren updike" <wupdike at hotmail.com>
To: <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 2:56 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Install 'cigarette lighter' charger at ignition 
switch housing


> Bill, if you do use the nav power source, you should fuse the connector 
> with
> a 2 or 5A fuse and never use the connector for anything with a high draw:
> fan, air pump, etc.  Having a high draw on the nav circuit will cause the
> auto pilot and or instruments to reset.  The best approach is to tap the 
> hot
> side of the key switch and install a breaker in the engine dash.  That, 
> you
> can use for nearly any application.
>
>
> Warren & Pattie Updke
> Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Thanks for all the advice Paul and others. It sound better to connect to 
> the
> nav instruments power supply than the ignition switch. Where do I put the
> in-line fuse? Inside the housing of my ignition switch?
>
> Bill Sloane
> C-320 No. 554 'Endless  Summer'
> Olympia, Washington
> On Sun, Jun 1, 2008 at 6:03 AM, <Vpweikel at aol.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> Bill,
>>
>> I did this several years ago for the same reason.  Not hard or
>> complicated.
>> I used a small volt meter to find the battery side of the 12  volt
>> supply to the nav instruments.  I can check where I made the actual
>> connections next time I'm at the boat and let you know.  My GPS hooked
>> up  direct without having to use a "cigarette" style plug, but yours
>> would be  basically identical.
>> Make sure you put an in-line fuse in the  wiring.
>>
>>
>> Paul Weikel
>> Second Chance
>> #361
>> Georgetown, MD
>
>