block island 40 panel issues

[jeffaronson]

my block island 40 yawl was built by metalmast in 1976. i was recently looking for the negative bus somewhere near the panel --but no luck. looked everywhere without success. any guidance much appreciated.

[Wotname]

Follow the negative lead from the battery. It will usually go to the engine and also to the -ve bus (unless the engine block is being used as the -ve bus).

[jeffaronson]

thanks for your reply. however there are 20. negative wires that must be accounted for....

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by jeffaronson

thanks for your reply. however there are 20. negative wires that must be accounted for....

There is no requirement that they are terminated anywhere near the panel.
If you are looking for a -ve bus, you might find it at some distance from the panel.

Or you might find several common -ve points scattered around the boat however they will all find their way back the -ve terminal post on the battery which is why I suggested you start tracing from the battery. It will lead you to wherever the bus (or busses) are located.

[jeffaronson]

ok many thanks

[paulie4203]

I agree with Wotname. Follow the trail of the black cables. I have a newer vintage of a BI40. The panel is behind the ladder. I flip the panel down and the neg bus is on the starboard side on the floor of the locker. Good luck.

[SVHarmonie]

Originally Posted by jeffaronson

thanks for your reply. however there are 20. negative wires that must be accounted for....

If you have 20 wires attached to your battery (!), maybe your battery post is acting as the negative bus? This is terrible practice, messy and hard to work with. It might be time for a serious rewire.