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From: (no name) (no email)
Date: Sat Dec 06 2003 - 21:38:28 EST
In a message dated 12/4/2003 10:39:44 PM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
> I have the standard battery selector
> switch, which functions simply as a shutoff switch for my house bank since
> I only have one bank, but the selector switch is right where a fire would
> occur. Also, I do not have any easy way to shut off the power to the
> starter. Would a solenoid switch work and make any sense? It seems that
> if I could shut off the electricity as I was escaping combined with an
> automatic fire extinguisher system, I might be able to save my boat without
> endangering my life.
>
An electrical fire could happen anywhere in the boat where there are wires.
It would be a good thing that the switch would be where you could get at it
easily, holding your breath if necessary.
If the engine starting battery was hooked up only to the starter, close by,
and battery and wiring were well secured and protected it is unlikely that you
would have an electrical fire there unless it was in the starter itself, where
it is likely that the wires in the starter would melt open soon.
In my experience it is likely to be the house battery current causing a fire
because the wires are everywhere. You can feed everything other than the
starter from the house bank, even the engine room circuits, therefore you can shut
off -all- the 12 volts aboard (except the starting battery) with a switch on
the house bank.
A fuse could be put on the starting battery line but it would have to be
several hundred amps which would let plenty enough current through to start a nice
fire without blowing.
You could also use the house bank to start the engine, eliminating the
starting battery, if the batteries are large enough and the wiring is stout enough.
The problem here is that you could be dead in the water if you use up your
house battery.
Norm
S/V Bandersnatch
Lying St Augustine
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