Blue Sea Systems Products Resources and Information
PartsVu is proud to offer genuine Blue Sea Systems products. Blue Sea Systems manufactures both AC and DC electrical products capable of standing up to the demanding environments and applications experienced by marine electrical systems. Blue Sea Systems stands by their products and will replace or issue a credit for any of its products found to be defective in materials or manufacture.
We stock a complete selection of Blue Sea Systems products, including:
- Blue Sea Systems Battery Switches
- Blue Sea Systems Battery Kits
- Blue Sea Automatic Charging Systems
- Blue Sea Systems BusBars
- Blue Sea Systems Voltage Disconnect
- Blue Sea Systems Battery Remote Switches
- Blue Sea Systems Dual USB Chargers
- Blue Sea Systems Battery Chargers
- Blue Sea Systems Circuit Breakers
Blue Sea Systems Products FAQs
Why should I use a Blue Sea remote battery switch?
Using a remote battery switch instead of a mechanical battery switch can result in increased safety and convenience, and significant reduction in cost, weight, and voltage drop. A remote battery switch is installed as close as possible to battery banks, and is operated by a low-current control switch in a convenient location.
Advantages of installing a remote battery switch close to battery source:
- Increased safety—Battery switch activation at a safe distance away from a likely source of fire, high current wires routed distances through bulkheads, etc. is reduced.
- Reduced cost—Save the expense of large diameter wire runs over long distances. In addition, when wire length is reduced, wire gauge also can be reduced. For example, a two engine, two battery bank configuration has four 20 foot runs of 4/0 wire (2 for each isolated circuit). Two remote battery switches are installed reducing the four runs to 5 feet each. When the short-run wire is chosen for the same voltage drop as the original long-run wire, the wire can be reduced to 2 gauge. The cost of the long run 4/0 wire is: 80 ft x $20.29 = $1623.20; the cost of the 2 gauge wire is: 20 ft x $5.99 = $119.80; resulting in a cost savings at retail prices of $1503.40.
- Reduced weight—Save the weight of large diameter wire runs over long distance, for example, 4/0 wire weighs approximately 0.9lbs/foot
- Lower voltage drop—When high current is not being carried over long distances, there is considerably less voltage drop in the system.
Added convenience—Switch battery banks from a more convenient location. When a battery switch is placed near the engine and battery, it may be in the engine compartment accessible through a hatch. It is more convenient and intuitive to place a control switch near other electrical controls or the companionway.
Why do I need a Blue Sea automatic charging relay?
What do you do when the number of battery banks on your boat is greater than the number of charging outputs from your system′s battery charger, and you want to provide a charge to all batteries? How do you design a boat electrical system that charges two battery banks without adding the cost of a dual output charger? Instead of upgrading your charging system, or installing a system with multiple outputs, install an automatic charging relay (ACR). The cost of a charging system with multiple outputs is considerably more expensive than one with single output, making the installation of the ACR a less expensive option.
For example, consider a typical marine electrical system with two battery banks, a battery charger with one output, and an alternator. To charge both battery banks from your single output charger, connect the ACR between the battery banks. Connect the alternator to charge battery 1 (start battery), and connect the charger to charge battery 2 (house battery). When the charger is charging battery 2, the ACR will combine battery 2 and battery 1 for charging. When the alternator is charging battery 1, the ACR will connect battery 1 and battery 2, and both batteries will be charged. With the installation of the ACR, when at dock and plugged into shore power, the charger is supplying a charge to both battery banks; when the engine is running, the alternator is charging both battery banks.
Similarly, if you are adding an auxiliary battery to power a windlass, you can connect the auxiliary battery through an ACR to a battery bank that is attached to a charger. In this way, you are able to charge an additional battery bank without upgrading the charger to one with multiple outputs.
The ACR automatically connects batteries during the charging cycle and disconnects them under discharge.
When combined with Blue Sea Systems Dual Circuit Plus™ Battery Switch (PN 5511e), the SI ACR model fully automates the charging of two batteries. The combination of the Dual Circuit Plus™ Battery Switch and ACR provides a practical and less expensive solution to manage:
- Isolated battery circuits
- Emergency parallel backup operation
- Automated charge management
Simply turn the battery switch to the ON position when arriving on the boat, and turn it to the OFF position when leaving. You no longer have to worry about which batteries are charging or discharging.
Before replacing your charger or inverter/charger, consider the benefits of an ACR; and for a fully automatic system, add a Dual Circuit Plus™ Battery Switch.
How does a Blue Sea Volt Panel work?
Blue Sea Systems offers five 120/240 volt panels in the Standard power distribution panel line. One is a 240V AC main circuit breaker only. The other four panels have 240V AC main circuit breakers, Digital or Analog meters, and space for 120V AC single-pole or 240V AC double-pole branch circuits. Two of the panels provide 240V AC source selection for two sources. They can function as 240V AC panels with main and branch circuit protection or can be used in conjunction with 120 volt AC panels for 120V AC branch circuit distribution.
The panels have three pole main circuit breakers and double pole branch circuit breakers. 240V AC supplies consist of two hot lines, one neutral line, and ground. Between the two hot lines the voltage measured is 240V AC. Between either one of the hot lines and neutral the voltage measured is 120V AC. This allows each hot line to supply a 120V AC source if needed.
The panels can supply 240V AC branch circuits or two 120V AC load groups whether they are two separate AC branch distribution panels or a panel with twp separate load groups. An example of this configuration is the Blue Sea Systems 7370 120/240V AC panel supplying two 8480 120V AC panels, see Fig. 1. Another option is to use 7370 120/240V AC panel supplying an 8461 120V AC panel, dividing the 120V AC legs between the twp columns of breakers.
How do I improve my Blue Sea busbar performance?
The performance of a busbar can be increased by attaching the primary feed wire to the center of the busbar. The performance can be further increased by first attaching the primary feed wire followed by the highest load wire to the same terminal. This will allow the current to be carried by the large cables and avoid sending all of the current through the busbar. Although this will improve the performance of the busbar, it does not change the actual ampacity rating of the busbar and should not be used when comparing one busbar to another.
Most busbars have both an amperage and voltage rating. Higher voltage can be achieved by:
- Increasing the creepage distance, which is the distance from a busbar mounting fastener to a grounded surface like a firewall. Creepage distance directly impacts the voltage rating of the busbar. Insulating the base and using insulating fasteners rather than conductive fasteners will significantly increase the safe operating voltage of a bus bar. The insulating system including the creepage distance has to prevent failure in the event of transients and surges in voltage.
- Managing the buildup of corrosion will significantly improve the safety and service life of a busbar. No exposed busbar can be expected to operate safely with a live connection in a wet location. An exception would be busbars used for lightening protection and grounding systems.
