Blue Sea Systems DC Power Distribution Panel 5,10,13 Position User Manual

Installation, Dc power distribution panel, Warning

Advertising
background image

PN 8401 / PN 3401 5 Position

PN 8402 / PN 3402 10 Position

PN 8403 / PN 3403 13 Position

Panel Specifi cations

Material:

0.125” 5052-H32 Aluminum Alloy

Primary Finish:

Chemical Treatment per Mil Spec C-5541C

Final Panel Finish: Graphite color 2 part textured Polyurethane
Amperage Rating: All components are sized for 100 Amps of continuous

current

Voltage Rating:

Panels are rated for 12 or 24 volt DC distribution.
Confi gure your panel with the supplied voltage
identifi cation labels.

Meter:

DC Digital Multimeter with Alarm PN 8248

PN

Inches

Millimeters

Overall Dimensions: 8401/3401 5-1/4 x 7-1/2

133.40 x 190.50

8402/3402 5-1/4 x 11-1/4

133.40 x 285.80

8403/3403 10-1/2 x 7-1/2

266.70 x 190.50

Mounting Centers: 8401/3401 4-7/16 x 6-11/16

112.70 x 169.90

8402/3402 4-7/16 x 10-7/16

112.70 x 265.10

8403/3403 9-11/16 x 6-11/16 246.10 x 169.90

Applicable Standards

• American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Standards and Recommended

Practices for Small Craft sections: E-1, E-3, E-9.
• United States Coast Guard 33 CFR Sub Part 1, Electrical Systems.

Marine Electrical Products

DC Power Distribution Panel

Blue Sea Systems Inc.

Phone (360) 738-8230

425 Sequoia Drive

Fax (360) 734-4195

Bellingham, WA 98226 USA

E-mail [email protected]

www.bluesea.com

Document 9098 Rev.F

WARNING

@

It is not possible within the scope of these instructions to fully acquaint

the installer with all the knowledge of electrical systems that may be
necessary to correctly install this product. If the installer is not
knowledgeable in electrical systems we recommend that an electrical
professional be retained to make the installation.

@

If either the panel front or back is to be exposed to water it must be

protected with a waterproof shield.

@

The panels must not be installed in explosive environments such as

gas engine rooms or battery compartments as the circuit breakers are
not ignition proof.

@

The main positive connection must be disconnected at the battery post

to avoid the possibility of a short circuit during the installation of this
distribution

panel.

@

The shunt must be installed in the negative line to avoid damage to the

meter. Positive voltage applied to digital meter terminals #4 and #5 will
cause damage to the meter not covered by warranty.

Guarantee

Any Blue Sea Systems product with which a customer is not satisfi ed

may be returned for a refund or replacement at any time. Reference

Blue Sea Systems’ Digital Meter installation manual for specifi c meter

warranty information.

Useful Reference Books

Calder, Nigel, 1996: Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual,

2nd edition, Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books, Inc.

Wing, Charlie, 1993: Boatowner’s llustrated Handbook of Wiring,

Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books, Inc.

Installation

1. Disconnect all AC and DC power

Before starting, disconnect the main positive cable from all batteries to

eliminate the possibility of a short circuit while installing the distribution

panel. Also disconnect the AC shore power cord from the boat to

eliminate the possibility of electrocution from AC wiring in the proximity

of the DC distribution panel.

2. Apply Voltage Label

All panel components are sized for 12 or 24 Volt systems. Use the

labels provided to permanently identify the system voltage and its type

(DC) as required by ABYC. Apply the appropriate voltage label to

the recessed area on the front of the panel.

3. Select mounting location and cut opening

Select a mounting location which is protected from water on the panel

front and back and is not in an area where fl ammable vapors from

propane, gas or lead acid batteries accumulate. The circuit breakers

used in marine electrical panels are not ignition protected and may

ignite such vapors.

Using the panel template provided, make a cutout in the mounting

surface where the distribution panel is to be mounted. Do not yet

fasten the panel to the mounting surface.

4. Select positive feed wire and negative return

Determine the positive feed (red) and negative return (black or yellow)

wire size by calculating the total amperage of the circuits that will be

routed through the panel. Blue Sea Systems’ electrical panels are

rated at 100 amp total capacity. The positive feed wire must be sized

for 3% voltage drop at the 100 amp panel rating or the maximum

amperage that will be routed through the panel in any particular

installation, whichever is less. It is recommended that the positive feed

wire be sized for the full panel capacity, which, in most cases, will

require at least 2 AWG wire, assuming a 10 foot wire run between the

panel and the batteries in 12 volt systems. Refer to the Wire Sizing

Chart for other situations. In the case of panels with two or more

columns of breakers, jumpers from positive bus to positive bus and

from negative bus to negative bus should be the same size as the

positive feed and the negative return wires.

Remember that the length of the circuit is the total of the positive wire

from the power source and the negative wire back to the DC Negative

Bus. Be certain that there is a fuse or circuit breaker of the correct size

protecting the positive feed wire.

5. Install shunt, negative return and positive feed

The digital meter shunt must be installed in the negative line of the

circuit whose current is to be measured. Refer to the meter installation

and operation manual prior to installing the shunt. Review the Theory

of Operation, Use, Installation Overview, Installing Shunt, Wiring

Diagram and Wire by Wire Instruction sections. Observe all warning

regarding the shunt installation.

Connect a negative return wire from the negative bus on the panel to

DC negative and ultimately the load side of the shunt. Connect a

positive feed wire from the positive bus on the panel to DC positive. Be

certain that there is a fuse or circuit breaker of the correct size

protecting the positive feed wire.

6. Install battery bank voltage monitor wires

The panel is supplied with a digital meter and switch to monitor the

voltage of three separate sources, usually the batteries. Connect a

minimum 16 AWG red wire from each source to be monitored to each

of the corresponding input wires of the switch. There should be a 1

ampere fuse in each positive wire near each source.

Advertising