Connecting two negative busbars and compass wires polarity

[steve yates]

Because of the position of the sounder and gps units, where the connections come through holes cut in the bulkhead, i decided it was tidiier to refit the old switchbox, with its 4 switches,, over them than to extend the cables down into the new bigger switchboards I have installed. This small switchbox will run a nasa sounder, the illuminated compass and a garminmap 182, plus 2 12v cigarette lighter outlets.

When it came to getting power to it, I already had a positive distribution post in the new switchbox, the 25mm battery cable comesto that and two 6mm cables take the power to each set of fused switches.
I added another 6mm cable to it to take power to the 3rd set of switches.

Q1: My positive distribution post now has one 25mm cable and 3 6mm on it, is this ok?

From the existing busbar in the big switch box, I had the battery neg connected with a 25mm cable to the busbar end stud. I then ran a 6mm cable from that stud to the stud on a smaller bus bar in the small switch box.

Q2: Is that ok? (If I had planned this, I would have run the battery to a neg distribution post and connected both busbars to that, but I didnt and dont have the room for it.)

Q3: There are two black wires at the rear of my bulkhead compass, to provide the illumination at night. How do I establish which is pos and which is neg?

Thanks.

 

[William_H]

Yes sounds ok top me. re the compass light 2 black wires might an incandescent bulb so no concern which wire goes to positive. If perchance it does not work swap the wires over indicating an LED bulb which is polarity sensitive. ol'will

 

[steve yates]

Thanks will, its probably too old to be led

 

[PaulRainbow]

+1 for Wills answer

 

[Skylark]

Q3: There are two black wires at the rear of my bulkhead compass, to provide the illumination at night. How do I establish which is pos and which is neg?

Connect the terminals to a multimeter and wrap a turn of red insulating tape to the positive (or any other form of marking) , to avoid doubt in the future.

 

[steve yates]

Thanks gentlemen.

 

[steve yates]

You were correct will, makes no difference which wire connects to pos or neg.