Bus bars...

I want to clean up my house battery installation by installing a positive and a negative bus bar. No invertor on the boat but I might have to parallel with the starting batteries for starting. Would 300 amp bus bars work?

Isn't that the max size they come in from Blue Sea? That's what I used.

**EDIT** Oppps... I was wrong. I used the 600Amp versions: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|49758|112306|299259&id=51814

The amperage rating of a buss bar is more dependent on the size of the screw terminals than the underlying bar itself. For house use you will NEVER exceed 300 amps.

David

Thanks, guys. I did see a 600 amp bus bar and it got me wonderin'.

Here is the said bussbars in application:

"I did see a 600 amp bus bar and it got me wonderin'."

IF somehow it gets involved with an engine starter circuit 600 may not be half enough.

Tom, that's a neat layout you got there. I really like the different colored cables. On my Taiwan boat they used black welding cable for the battery runs with a piece of red tape on the terminal end to indicate the "hot." With the price of copper these days, I'm gonna stay with it.

Thanks. Bought the wire from Hardware Specialty in Seattle on a tip from Rick B. Cheapest place I found for bulk wire. Got the lugs from Grainger. I kept the long runs to the starter as the original welding wire partially because of cost and partially the place it's run is tight. I may replace later though.

I am in the process of replacing the AC and DC wires on a 1981 49' Grand Banks. Lots of wire and many parts. I have found the Blue Seas products far ahead of any other brand. Plus it is made in America and all their techs speak English and are happy to help via phone or web site. I have found a supply source at shop.pkys.com with the best prices and the owner, Peter Kennedy is ABYC Tech who is happy to help with good advice. Close to 60 % of vessel loss are boat fires due to DC then AC wire faults. Stray current in boat yards is also a major problem. Swimming in a marina is like Russian ruelette.