What is the correct manner of connecting an SSB (ICom 710) to the power supply on the boat?
I understand that the unit draws a maximum of about 30 Amps when transmitting. My power distribution panel with breakers remains in its original location under the companionway ladder (Tayana 37). The SSB is to be located outboard of the Nav station next to the quarter berth. The batteries are located under the quarter berth. Batteries presently consist of a 12 Volt starter battery, and a pair of 6 Volt Golf Cart batteries in series. I will probably add a second bank when I have to replace the present golf cart batteries.

If I connect to a circuit breaker on our distribution panel, the length of the run of the power cable will be well in excess of 10 feet (total of 20 feet for positive and negative cables). This requires fairly hefty gauge wire.

One source I read suggested that it is not necessary to include a circuit breaker, since the ICOM 710 has an internal fuse circuit. Thus, it could be directly connected to the battery bank, bypassing all the circuit breakers.
I don't think that sounds like an acceptable solution and seems to violate all the principles of wiring I ever learned. However, perhaps I could install a single circuit breaker so that I could be assured that I can cut off all power to the SSB when I want to do so, and also would protect the boat's wiring from a major short related to the SSB.

How have others dealt with this problem?
regards,
Harvey

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Received on Sun Jan 21 07:05:07 2007