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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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12 volt wiring.

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sodonnell
1st Mate

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76 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/24/2005 : 23:41:51

I know this is going to sound too basic.

As I'm thinking about wiring 4 fans in my C25, what is the best way to wire it?

Do I run the (+) to a buss bar and then run 4 seperate wires (one to each fan) or is it appropriate to run to the first, put a splice in, and continue the run to the second fan.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 01:34:20

You are a negative ground system, (yes I know + is really ground but the auto industry is backwards) so the negative lead would go to the buss bar and the positive lead goes to a switch.
Do you understand series vs parallel? Since you think of electricity like a physicist you probably do. If so then you should hook the fans up in parallel. I would probably run two legs to the circuit, one circuit down each side of the boat. Parallel at the switch and parallel at each fan. Fans die, often. I would put them on a spare switch at the power panel rather than hook them up to the cabin light circuit.
If all this is gobbledygook then you need a book and a buddy.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 08:11:53

Here's an idea.
Swap out your all cabin lights with LED's, that will dramatically reduce the current load on the cabin lights circuit. (reduce load by 90%)

Next get the low ampage fans (0.54amps) from West Marine (see link on the [url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/links.html#westmarine"]links page.[/url]) and wire them parallel to the cabin lamps where needed. (Here's a link to the [url="http://www.hellamarine.com/?a=3&t=3&View=FullStory&productID=624&pcid=44"]fan manufacturers,[/url] but they are available via west marine)

It saves rewiring, extends battery life, and you get the cool (no heat) benefit of LEDs

On Joint Decision, we just added 2 of these fans in parallel to the overhead cabin lights which we rarely use. The fans make a huge difference! That they can be swivelled and tilted is a bonus... Make sure you install them at least 3/4" away from any obstruction so that they can swivel/tilt without hitting something.

One more time!!! make sure the connections to the fans are correct! +ve to +ve and -ve to -ve. Get it wrong and the fans will go <i><b>BANG!</b></i>

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.