Super Jet Bilge wire correct?

[DEE NUTTY]

I read somewhere to put the switch on negative side is this right?

 

[aramis]

Yes, absolutely right...except I run a 5A fuse. Seem to remember somebody telling me to use 5A, or maybe that's all I had, I can't remember for sure.

Keep the fuse close to the battery too, like you show.

 

[DEE NUTTY]

Thanx aramis
it says on the 500, 2.5 amp fuse required
if you have 2 500's that would make sense... I think

 

[Vumad]

if you have 2 bilges, use 2 fuses.

 

[RedTurboMr2]

if you have 2 bilges, use 2 fuses.

umm, i just bought the OCD Solution dual bilge harness and it didn't come with 2 fuses, just the one..... I'm sure if two were needed, he wouldn't ship the harness with just one. I'm guessing that you don't need two fuses.

 

[NVGuy]

It's better safer then sorry. I would separately fuse them with a 2.5 amp glass or ATO fuse just make sure they are in a good waterproof case and as close as you can get to the battery.

 

[aramis]

Yes, I have 2 500's and use a 5A fuse on each one. The fuse, holder and it's connections are all failure points, and with two fuses you are protected against any single failure (ie, you will still have at least one working pump). This was important to me since I'm not running the stock siphon bilge or any scuppers.

 

[Vumad]

You can run 2 bilges off a single fuse. One fuse is plenty to keep your boat from catching on fire just as well as 2. However, if one bilge fails, that single fuse will fail. Then, your second completely functional bilge will no longer have power. I am running 2 rule 500's off 2 seperate 5amp fuses and one single switch. I've had a single bilge fail, the fuse pop, and rode the rest of the day on my other bilge. If I had a single fuse, I would have had 0 bilges unless I cut the wires to the bad bilge and replaced the fuse, but I had 2 fuses so none of that was necessary. Next time I am going to have a switch for each so in calm conditions I am not running 2 bilges needlessly.

In any case, that's off topic because I think the origional question was about 1 bilge, and someone just randomly introduced 2 bilges. Yes, your diagram is correct. Everyone says having the switch on the negative side will help prevent corosion. Covering the screws on the switch with dielectric grease or silicone, and applying dielectric grease to the seal on your fuse holder will also help prevent corosion.

 

[OCD Solutions]

umm, i just bought the OCD Solution dual bilge harness and it didn't come with 2 fuses, just the one..... I'm sure if two were needed, he wouldn't ship the harness with just one. I'm guessing that you don't need two fuses.

In theory, a seperate fuse for each pump would be better but with that thought in mind, wouldn't you need a seperate switch and seperate wiring for each as well? After all, what if...

Using one fuse is a calculated risk that I and many others have been using without issue for many, many years. There is nothing stopping you from adding a second fuse if you feel it offers better protection.

Switching the ground rather than the positive lead is another topic that comes up from time to time as well. I think that in our particular situation, either way has pros and cons and in the end both are adequate methods. Personally though, I have been an Electrician for over 20 years now and I have never once had to interupt the ground circuit in an emergency situation. I have however had to disconnect the power feed many times. By disconecting the positive lead, you remove the potential to ground entirely. By interupting the ground only, the potential to ground remains just waiting for a path, such as your arm, wrist, watchband, etc