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I may regret this, but have just ordered the ELCI breaker for my panel.

In case I have trip issues with the water heater AC wires, I looked behind the removable panel on the water heater where the wires enter. They disappear behind some insulation. I didn't move the insulation. Does anyone know how to get to the terminals to disconnect the AC wires?   Thanks for the help.

Jon W.

MaineSail, Ken,
      Question on ELCI breakers. I've heard an issue with ELCI breakers is nuisance trips. In talking to Blue Sea, they said the breaker trips due to an electrical leak the breaker has identified and not due to a sensitive/poor quality breaker. Most common culprits are an inverter followed by the water heater. I don't have an inverter, so just the water heater and electrical outlets. In your experiences how frequent does tripping of an ELCI occur? Does the breaker require labratory conditions? In other words if faulty items are corrected, does time factor in causing this to be a regular maintenance item? Would it be better to go with a traditional 30 amp 2 pole breaker for a 29 year old boat with minimal AC loads?  Thanks for the help.

Jon W.

Hi Noah,
       When I had bulkhead questions I called Catalina Yachts in Florida and spoke to Warren Pandy. I think the phone number I used was 727-544-6681.   Jon W

I thought the switch was also a breaker, but turns out it isn't a breaker. I'm looking into the cost of getting a breaker to replace the switch.   Jon W.

The main breaker for the AC is on the master panel as an off plus 2 position rotary switch. Off, Shore, Gen.   Jon W.

I'm routing the VHF to the always on bus to minimize failure points so there is minimal risk to losing the radio.

What is ELCI? If it is the same as a GFCI I believe I have at least one. If not it will be added. No genset yet just a future option.

Jon W.

Thanks Stu. Without a galvanic isolator before the panel does the AC ground bus still get connected to the DC negative bus back to engine or only with a galvanic isolator in the AC circuit? Jon W.

Finally have the new master panel from Blue Sea panel. Come to find out the power connection for both bilge pump 1 and 2 is bussed together so I re-purposed the bilge pump 1 power to be the VHF. Also moved the Balmar Ext Reg negative to the HB battery #4 negative, added the Pronautic temp sense wire, the AC bus to connect the Pronautic case ground and a jumper from it to the DC negative busbar. Up to 56 wires now. Hopefully the attached is a much clearer graphic that you can zoom into to see details. As always thanks for the patience and help.   Jon W.

Stu,
     I was searching on AC grounding and found this thread "Electrical Systems - Grounding for DC, AC, SSB and Lightning". It references a West Marine site and article, but when I click on the link it takes me to the WM website not the article. Is that article available? Thanks.

Jon W.

I will run it to the HB like shown. Looks like the negative goes there as well, I didn't notice that until now. I have it connecting to the engine ground.

Noah and I talked about covering the holes in the bottom of the battery box. Thanks for the help. Jon W.

That's what I was thinking I read, just wanted to be sure. Thanks Stu.

I count the 6 positive connection points, but only count 12 connection points on the negative. Where do you see the other 4? The best I've been able to capture is my current total circuit from alternator to house bank, through all the jumpers, and back to engine ground is 36.84 feet. If I've done this right (remember I'm new to all this) at 80A and 1 AWG cable resistance of .000124, I end up with .365 voltage drop (3.04% excluding connections).

I can't remember the exact brand name of the crimper I've borrowed, but think T&B was on the case. When the crimp is made, it stamps a number on the lug. Jon W.

Question on the location for the positive sense wire for the Balmar MC-614H.

The manual says it can be connected to either the alternator output, the common post of the battery switch, or the positive post on the house bank battery being charged. It would be easier to connect to the alternator output, but recall someone saying the more accurate connection was the positive post on the house bank battery being charged. Is the house bank the better connection point? Thanks for the help.

Jon W.

Sure, but I don't know if this project will ever end. Jon W.

A couple more in work photo's in case anybodys interested. The first shows the reserve battery on the new bracket, and small tool bag next to it. The last is the ProNautic charger mounted under the Nav Station. I thought running the case ground over the charger was a way to keep it out of the way, but after looking at it I may re-route to follow the other wires. Time will tell. Still lots more to go.

Jon W.

Forgot to mention as I was following wires behind the panel I was surprised to find that the main negative/ground from the panel was only 10 AWG. Lots of stuff including a wheel pilot for only 10 AWG. Jon W.