12 volt power in the cockpit

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   Has anyone experience of adding 12 volt power points in the cockpit? I'd like to have one on the side of the steering pedestal for my tablet computer and another for a strip of LED lights to go under the Bimini. I understand a cockpit power supply was an optional extra on new boats but is there a suitable existing supply I can safely tap into? I'm not very experienced when it comes to modern yacht electrics so explanations need not to be too technical!

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charentebob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commadore Joined: 09 April 2014 Status: Offline Points: 403	Post Options Post Reply Quote charentebob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 12 volt power in the cockpit Posted: 30 September 2014 at 18:45
	Has anyone experience of adding 12 volt power points in the cockpit? I'd like to have one on the side of the steering pedestal for my tablet computer and another for a strip of LED lights to go under the Bimini. I understand a cockpit power supply was an optional extra on new boats but is there a suitable existing supply I can safely tap into? I'm not very experienced when it comes to modern yacht electrics so explanations need not to be too technical!

Fendant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 03 November 2012 Location: Switzerland Status: Offline Points: 1671	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fendant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 September 2014 at 23:28
	Bonjour CB, you should have one wire connections from the main panel into the cockpit hiden somewhere. If they haven't changed the cable designations recently ( switching to Würth Panels ) it should be labeled XS 9.3.18
	Frank

silversailor Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 25 May 2005 Location: South Haven, MI Status: Offline Points: 1021	Post Options Post Reply Quote silversailor Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 October 2014 at 01:04
	My 2006 370e had power to the pedestal. There's a light for the compass. We used that power source to connect a 12V recepticle.
	Silversailor South Haven, MI USA S/V Legacy 2010 Andrews 28

charentebob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commadore Joined: 09 April 2014 Status: Offline Points: 403	Post Options Post Reply Quote charentebob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 October 2014 at 07:29
	I'll check out the cable to make sure it is suitable for taking a greater load. I'd not considered the compass light as a potential source of power, thanks for the suggestion.

Fendant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 03 November 2012 Location: Switzerland Status: Offline Points: 1671	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fendant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 October 2014 at 08:15
	Compass light has a 1A fuse only,hardly enough to charge your iphone.
	Frank

charentebob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commadore Joined: 09 April 2014 Status: Offline Points: 403	Post Options Post Reply Quote charentebob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 October 2014 at 08:43
	Any idea where the fuse will be located? I'm going to be on the boat this week so can go hunting. Do you think the cable specification you mentioned in your first post would be suitable providing I can get the fusing correct to supply each socket?

Pride of Waterford Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 31 December 2013 Location: chichester Status: Offline Points: 253	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pride of Waterford Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 October 2014 at 09:54
	I Don't suggest you use the compass light power cable as you will need nav lights on to get power, the compass lights also are incandescent bulbs and have a limited life. (JUst changed mine after 6 years of light use. You will have a power to your plotter, this will certainly be more than enough to power your charger, it would be best to get yourself a cheap £10 multimeter just to check the voltage at the cable ends. Then join in the 12volt to the cable for the GPS, don't forget to put a suitable fuse in-line here to protect this part of the circuit. a 5amp in-line would be very suitable. You can connect the leds to this circuit too. Hope this is clear --good luck.
	Brod Port Lairge

piquet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 29 March 2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 49	Post Options Post Reply Quote piquet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 October 2014 at 01:05
	I have added a 12V socket to the coaming near the port side binnacle. I have a flexible solar panel installed on the roof of my bimini. The solar panel cabling runs inside the bimini cover and along the stainless poles to the power point. But we moused the wiring from this point through the underside of the port side cabin to the solar panel regulator. In addition I have 4 small down lights fitted about 400mm from the cockpit floor which I use to illuminate the cockpit floor when dark at anchor - it throws off enough light without drawing in the midges and mosquitos in great hoards. My take on adding electrical to the cockpit is it is more advisable to channel new cable as this allows for fusing correctly for just the powered item rather than potentially overloading it. Equally, by keeping the wiring independent you can control that powered item alone! Mousing cabling in the nooks and holes in the yacht can be a royal pain but it is worth it in the end.
	piquet Brisbane, Australia

High Time Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 04 September 2012 Location: Portsmouth UK Status: Offline Points: 819	Post Options Post Reply Quote High Time Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 October 2014 at 17:55
	On the 415 there was a pair (red and black) of substantial cables (with 15A fuse, I think) pre-installed during manufacture for the cockpit table fridge. Since we didn't purchase this option we found these cables, unused, in the bundle of cables threaded through the aft mounting tube for the cockpit table. It was then simple to use these to supply a 12V socket I fitted in the end of the table. It would be worth checking in and around the table/chart plotter to see if there are any pre-installed but unused cables. Otherwise you will have to run in a new pair of suitably sized cables. There are lots of spare fused terminations on the distribution panel behind the navigator's seat (on the newer boats). I certainly wouldn't consider using the compass light cables and would not recommend using the chart plotter feed either.
	Roger High Time (415 #038)

Fendant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 03 November 2012 Location: Switzerland Status: Offline Points: 1671	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fendant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 October 2014 at 18:49
	Correct, also on a 345 / model year 2013 there is a unused cable in the plotter box, which I used for the go free wireless router, which requires an Ethernet Connection to the plotter.
	Frank



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