Manual

Marine Electrical Prod ucts
DC Power Distribution Panel
PN 8068 / PN 3068 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
Circuit Breakers: 15 Ampere AC/DC magnetic
65V DC/277V AC Maximum
Amperage Rating: All components are sized for 100 Amperes of
continuous current
Voltage Rating: Panels are rated for 12 volts DC. Panels can be
upgraded to 24 volts with PN 8243, 18-32V DC
Micro Voltmeter.
Voltmeter Rating: 8-16 Volt DC meter. Accuracy 3% of scale
Ammeter Rating: 0-50 Ampere DC meter. Accuracy 3% of scale
External Shunt: 50 Millivolt = 50 Ampere resistive manganin
element
Inches Millimeters
Overall Dimensions: 10-1/2 x 7-1/2 266.70 x 190.50
Mounting Centers: 9-11/16 x 6 11/16 246.10 x 169.90
The Purpose of a Panel
There are fi ve purposes of a marine electrical panel:
• Power distribution
• Circuit (wire) protection
• Circuit ON/OFF switching
• Metering of voltage and amperage (In panels with meters)
• Condition Indication (circuit energized)
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.
Blue Sea Systems Inc. Phone [phone]
425 Sequoia Drive Fax [phone]
Bellingham, WA 98226 USA E-mail [e-mail]
www.bluesea.com
Document 9776 Rev.H
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.
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.
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 Illustrated Handbook of Wiring,
Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books, Inc.
Related Products from Blue Sea Systems
PanelBack Insulating Covers
High Amperage Fuses and Circuit Breakers for positive feed wires
High Amperage Battery Switches
Terminal Blocks and Common Bus Connectors
AC and DC Voltmeters and Ammeters
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. Optional - Upgrading to 24 Volts
Remove and replace the existing 8-16V DC voltmeter with an 18-32V
DC voltmeter (PN 8243). Connect the existing meter sense wires to the
new meter, Red Positive wire to + and Yellow negative wire to -.
3. 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.
4. 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 cut out in the mounting
surface where the distribution panel is to be mounted. Do not fasten
the panel to the mounting surface.
5. 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 ampere total capacity. The positive feed wire must be
sized for 3% voltage drop at the 100 ampere 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
Installation
between the panel and the batteries in 12 volt systems. Refer to the
Wire Sizing Chart for other situations.
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.
6. Install shunt, positive feed wire and negative return
The panel is supplied with an external shunt ammeter that must be
connected in the positive feed line to the panel. The shunt may be
mounted at any point in the feed line, but mounting it close to the panel
will keep the sense wires that run to the meter short, minimizing
voltage loss and interference, creating the most accurate meter
reading.
Connect the positive feed wire from the positive source to either of the
2 large bolt terminals on the shunt top. This is now the shunt positive
terminal. Connect two additional lengths of feed wire from the
remaining shunt terminal, now the negative terminal, to both panel
positive buses. Next, connect a minimum 16 AWG red wire from the
screw on the side of the shunt positive terminal to the meter positive
terminal and connect a black or yellow wire from the shunt negative
terminal to the meter negative terminal. There should be a 1 ampere
fuse in the positive sense wire near the shunt terminal. Be certain that
on all 4 shunt connections the wire ring terminals sit directly on the
brass blocks of the shunt without any washers in between.
Connect a negative return wire from both negative buses on the panel
to DC negative.
7. Install battery bank voltage monitor wires
The panel is supplied with a voltmeter 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.