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

[Robert Seastream]

GPS units probably draw less than one amp.

Bob

On Jun 6, 2008, at 6:12 PM, Irving Grunes wrote:

> Bill,
> The starter circuit doesn't draw any load except when starting the  
> engine
> and it is only the starting solenoid load.
> #851
>
> On Fri, Jun 6, 2008 at 6:05 PM, Jon Vez <jonvez at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Bill,
>>
>> Just as an FYI, I've run my GPS off the hot side of the starter  
>> with no
>> problems. I have it fused with at a very low amp--
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Jon Vez
>> Solstice #582
>> Boston, MA
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Bill  
>> Sloane
>> Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 3:14 PM
>> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Install 'cigarette lighter' chargerat  
>> ignition
>> switch housing
>>
>> I plan to run my GPS off this outlet. I think this is a low draw.  
>> The only
>> other thing I could see my self plugging into this outlet would be  
>> a hand
>> held search light ( as I arrive late at an unknown marina as I have  
>> been
>> known to do). This might draw more current than I want. I could use  
>> the
>> charger outlet in the galley.  To me it makes sense to use the hot  
>> side of
>> the nav instrument power because my GPS is a nav instrument. I can  
>> still
>> function pretty well with no nav instruments, but I am not in such  
>> good
>> shape if I blow a fuse on the hot side of my ignition switch and  
>> can not
>> start the motor.
>>
>> Bill.
>> Olympia Washington
>> No. 554 'Endless Summer'
>>
>> On Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 7:11 AM, <crashley at gte.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Bruce,
>>>
>>> While I agree that adding a low rating fuse to the additional  
>>> power port
>>> will protect the instruments from a "brown out", I wouldn't think  
>>> that
>>> anything plugged into the engine pod should be drawing a lot of  
>>> current.
>> The
>>> problem with fuses is you need to carry spares in case one blows,  
>>> which
>> is
>>> why I would go with the breaker alone.
>>>
>>> CRA
>>> Rosebud #882
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: <bruceheyman at cox.net>
>>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:40 AM
>>>
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Install 'cigarette lighter' chargerat  
>>> ignition
>>> switch housing
>>>
>>>
>>> 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
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>