About Blue Sea Systems
Blue Sea Systems 285-Series and 187-Series thermal circuit breakers in surface and panel mount, an HD-Series heavy duty on-off battery switch, a Common 150A BusBar, a busbar cover and a 12 V DC plug for boat wiring. Blue Sea Systems says it was founded in 1992 to make marine electrical products that improve the safety, simplicity and reliability of boating. Order online from Scuba Evolution in Johannesburg, delivered anywhere in South Africa.
Blue Sea Systems in South Africa
Blue Sea Systems says it was founded in 1992 to make boating safer, simpler and more reliable through marine electrical products. The brand also makes electrical panels and battery chargers; we carry the breakers, battery switch, busbar and plug below, which cover the core of a small boat's DC wiring.
Circuit breakers
A thermal circuit breaker protects the wiring from overload and doubles as an on-off switch. Both series have a Type III trip-free mechanism, so the breaker can't be held on during a fault, and both are ignition protected for petrol boats when fitted to Blue Sea's instructions. Choose surface mount if you don't want to cut a panel, and panel mount for a neat main distribution panel.
The 285-Series is the lighter option, with a reset lever that shows when it has tripped. The 285-Series Surface Mount comes in six ratings from 30 A to 150 A, and the 285-Series Panel Mount is listed in 40 A. Both are designed as drop-in replacements for 185-Series breakers. The 187-Series is the heavy duty one, with a large lever and heavy terminal studs for big cable lugs: the 187-Series Surface Mount in 60 A, and the 187-Series Panel Mount in four ratings from 40 A to 150 A. All are for systems up to 48 V DC. Size the breaker to protect the cable it feeds.
Battery switch
The HD-Series Heavy Duty On-Off Battery Switch connects one battery to one load group and isolates it for storage, maintenance or an emergency. It has on and off only, with no combine position, takes two 4/0 AWG cables and mounts on a surface or through a rear panel.
BusBars and covers
The Common 150A BusBar 20 Gang gathers 20 small circuits on screw terminals with two main studs, rated 150 A DC. Use it for positive distribution or to collect negative and AC ground circuits. Check the cover before you order: the Common BusBar Cover fits the 10 gang and four stud models only, not the 20 gang.
12 V DC plug
The 12 V DC Plug twist-locks into the socket so vibration won't shake it loose, with a sealing ring against spray, a built-in 10 A fuse and an LED that shows power. It's handy for a phone charger, GPS or handheld spotlight on the console.
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Questions we get asked
How do I order Blue Sea Systems in Johannesburg?
Order the Blue Sea Systems range online from Scuba Evolution in Johannesburg, and we deliver anywhere in South Africa.
What's the difference between the 285 and 187-Series breakers?
Both are thermal breakers with a Type III trip-free mechanism. The 187-Series is the heavy duty version with a large lever and heavy terminal studs for big cable lugs.
Should I choose surface mount or panel mount?
Surface mount fixes to a flat surface with no panel cut-out. Panel mount sets into a distribution panel for a flush finish.
Can I use these Blue Sea Systems parts on a petrol boat?
The breakers and the HD-Series battery switch are ignition protected, which Blue Sea Systems says makes them suitable for petrol boats when installed to its instructions.
Does the BusBar cover fit the 20 gang BusBar?
No. The cover we list fits the 10 gang and four stud Common 150A BusBars; the 20 gang model needs its own dedicated cover.
What guarantee does Blue Sea Systems give?
Blue Sea Systems says it stands behind its products for as long as you own them and will replace or credit items found defective in materials or manufacture.