Battery cable - one size ???

[PaulRainbow]

No problem .... it all makes perfect sense now.

Richard

:encouragement:

 

[matthewriches]

What logistics problem is being solved by using black cable only ?

You have no cable, so what's the difference between buying some red and some black ?

I recently ordered over 800 meters of heavy cable, 95mm2 and above for a new boat on behalf of a boatbuilder. This was all specified black. Price break means the discount is substantially more buying 800 meters of black as opposed to 400/400 red/black.

A large Southerly we have in at Southwold for a complete bare hull refit will also benefit from a substantial discount by using black heavy supply cable with colour and ID tagged ends, the same as is required in new ISO boats but by "other means of identification".

I can recall at least 6, less than 5 year old Fairline boats that are wired heavy side with black cable and coloured ends.

Another benefit of black is that it doesn't go manky like the really old red PVC stuff.

Of course it would be stupid if both the positive and negative came out in a battery tray with no marking :nonchalance: but with a quick 2 second check, it wouldn't be the end of the world before marking it for the next poor barstool who works on the boat.


The nice way to deal with 24v and 48v DC battery systems, etc is to issue positive a different stud size to negative. This was taught to me when doing large 3 phase AC work as a way of stopping a neutral and phase x over. Works well in DC systems and is followed on wind turbine installs also.

 

[matthewriches]

We have a 15kW pool heater....

I remember our old house where when the storage heaters kicked in, the voltage dropped on all 3 phases dropped to about 200V and the light bulbs dimmed :disgust:

 

[pvb]

I remember our old house where when the storage heaters kicked in, the voltage dropped on all 3 phases dropped to about 200V and the light bulbs dimmed :disgust:

Ours is run on the optimistically-named "Economy 7" electricity, so we're usually in bed if/when the voltage dips!

 

[PetiteFleur]

I've just rewired my batteries with flexible 35mm² tinned cable as I've just fitted a separate engine battery. The original battery cables were HUGE - probably 50mm² or larger, and half the copper strands had been cut off to make the cable fit the battery terminals. 33' boat with 2 domestic and engine battery, all near engine so no long cable runs.

 

[Poignard]

The original battery cables were HUGE - probably 50mm² or larger, and half the copper strands had been cut off to make the cable fit the battery terminals. .

I hate to see shoddy workmanship like that.