Small Junction Boxes/ Bus Bars?

[Dockhead]

I'm trying to clean up my electronics installation, and one of the problems is neatening up all the power supplies for all the various new gear.

This is complicated by the fact that some of these are 12v, while others are 24v. I have got everything connected and working with the old power supply circuits, but I am unhappy with the snake's-nest which resulted.

One bit from the old system I really liked and reused was a Raymarine Seatalk very small junction box with screw connectors inside. Where can you get this sort of thing? The Farnell catalogue has so many tens of thousands of SKU's that it is not really navigable for stuff you don't know how to name precisely.

Is it safe to set up a positive bus bar inside a small junction box? I don't really like putting more than two wires into the end of any screw connector, or crimp.

I will be grateful for any advice.

[s/v Jedi]

I use small busbars that come as two-in-one, with covers available. Blue Sea Systems call them the DualBus series:

[Dockhead]

Thanks! Two in one means negative and positive in the same box?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Thanks! Two in one means negative and positive in the same box?

Yep, nice and clean. I use AWG8 wire from breaker to dualbus but have since learned that this size cable is illegal LOL. You might get away with size 10 but I like 8 for 12V (I realize you have lots of 24V so half the current requirements)

[goboatingnow]

I would seperate positive and negative bus bars into seperate boxes.

For a good setup search farnel for bus bars, terminal blocks, barrier strips etc

Get a plastic box with a clear lid and knock outs for glands. Buy a few glands and each gland can take a few wires.

You could use DIN rail connection blocks also. a little more finicky then barrier strips but have the advantage of being expandable. Some of them arnt suitable for a salt environment


Ps for browsing value order farnells paper catalogues.

Dave