Circuit breaker questions

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   A few circuit breaker related questions, if I may:
My boat was subjected to a proper backyard hack rewiring job before I bought it. I've been systematically upgrading wiring over time. Currently it does not have the 20A dash wiring circuit breaker fitted, which the TRB wiring diagram shows should be there. As best I can tell (which is not very good), the dash seems to be wired into the circuit which runs through the 40A engine breaker - so presumably the engine breaker also protects the dash circuits. I want to wire the dash up properly, but none of the usual sources (SkiDim, Nautiqueparts.com) carry a 20A circuit breaker, and the parts manual also does not show such a breaker. Why does it look like this breaker is not something which is commonly available? I assume I can just install a generic breaker, maybe like this: link?
My 40A engine breaker looks like it is as old as my boat (i.e. heading for 40 years). What is the best/safest way of testing it for proper opening?
Thanks a lot for the help!

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Wilhelm Hertzog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: June-14-2014 Location: Cape Town Status: Offline Points: 334	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wilhelm Hertzog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Circuit breaker questions Posted: June-11-2021 at 6:46am
	A few circuit breaker related questions, if I may: My boat was subjected to a proper backyard hack rewiring job before I bought it. I've been systematically upgrading wiring over time. Currently it does not have the 20A dash wiring circuit breaker fitted, which the TRB wiring diagram shows should be there. As best I can tell (which is not very good), the dash seems to be wired into the circuit which runs through the 40A engine breaker - so presumably the engine breaker also protects the dash circuits. I want to wire the dash up properly, but none of the usual sources (SkiDim, Nautiqueparts.com) carry a 20A circuit breaker, and the parts manual also does not show such a breaker. Why does it look like this breaker is not something which is commonly available? I assume I can just install a generic breaker, maybe like this: link? My 40A engine breaker looks like it is as old as my boat (i.e. heading for 40 years). What is the best/safest way of testing it for proper opening? Thanks a lot for the help!
	1982 Ski Nautique PCM351W RR II Velvet Drive 10-17-003 1:1 II PerfectPass Stargazer Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

KENO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11116	Post Options Post Reply Quote KENO Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: June-11-2021 at 8:25am
	Here's an 82 dash from somewhere on the internet. The fuse next to the key is the ignition fuse and it's 20 amps. It performs the same function as the later models with the ETA pushbutton switch/breaker. It protects the dash wiring. The 40 amp breaker won't protect the dash because the alternator can still feed the dash and all of it's wiring/loads with the engine running even with the breaker tripped. The wiring is sized to handle the alternator output of the stock 37ish amp alternator and the 20 amp fuse will blow to protect the dash wiring and kill the ignition power which will then kill the engine. So........having both is a good thing for protection. If you want to test the 40 amp breaker, I'd take it out of the boat and with a couple of short 12 gauge wires attached hook one end to a battery positive post and touch the other to the negative. It should trip immediately or real shortly after that. Give it a while to cool off, reset it and check for continuity to tell you that it reset. You could test it in the boat by touching the output wire to ground, but if things go wrong you could have a fire and some unwanted added excitement

Wilhelm Hertzog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: June-14-2014 Location: Cape Town Status: Offline Points: 334	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wilhelm Hertzog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-12-2021 at 6:13pm
	Whoop whoop, something on my boat works as it should. Thanks (again) Ken!
	1982 Ski Nautique PCM351W RR II Velvet Drive 10-17-003 1:1 II PerfectPass Stargazer Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Circuit breaker questions

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