Rewired boat, Isolator switch???

[brandenjg]

Hi everyone

I've just finished wiring all the electrical systems. I've got the 3 nav lights and the spot light wired through a fuse box then the fuse box to the battery. I've then got the front and rear cabin lights which have switches to turn on and off wired directly to the battery. I have blue led lighting for the cockit wired through a cigarette plug which is connected to a fused box connected to the battery which also connects the 2 solar panels to charge the battery.

Everything works perfectly and all cables are up to spec but looking through the bss checklist it mentions needing a battery isolator/ shut off switch. I was wondering if I need one as all my electrical systems can be shut of individually ( 4 switches)and if i do, how on earth i would wire the thing.

[Guest]

Somewhere in this link http://www.tb-training.co.uk/cover.html is a diagram of what's required for the BSS with regards to isolating switches.

[MBA Marine]

You really need to look up whats required before diving in. Just making things work is not the way.

Yes you need a battery isolator switch, you also need a min of 25mm (not measured diameter with a rule!) cable from the battery to it, the battery will need its terminals covered and the battery cable will need to be crimped with a terminal or the strands tinned with solder. The switch will then need labeling in open view.

Everything should be correctly protected fused or breaker.

Best practice to run a single cable from the switched side of isolator to your point of distribution, either fuses or better a breaker panel. run all negs back to a common bus bar and then take single Neg cable down to the battery.