If you’re driving a newer pontoon boat model, then it probably has a beefy fuse box with tons of wires inside. This box is basically the protector and guardian of all of those important electrical components that keep your boat working.
The location and appearance of the fuse box changes from boat to boat. So if you ever had to access yours, you might find yourself asking - exactly where is the fuse box on a pontoon boat? Well, we’re going to help you answer just that.
Where is the Fuse Box on Most Pontoon Boats?
Before you check anywhere else, make sure you take a look under the seats or the main control panel. You should find a small box with a door or even just a bare assortment of wires on some boats. If you have an older pontoon boat model, your fuse box could look a lot like the fuse box you have at home.
But what if it’s not there? Or what if you just want to make sure that the thing you’re looking at is actually the fuse box?
How to Find the Fuse Box on All Pontoon Boats
Just like your car manual, your pontoon boat manual contains virtually all the information you could ever need to help you understand your pontoon and its parts better. The only problem is that a lot of boat owners don’t really bother with the manual, so vital information like fuse box placement tends to get overlooked.
In some cases though, you might find that your manual doesn’t have information on where to locate the fuse box. The SunTracker 2007 Party Barge is one of them. If you find yourself in that situation, then you should be able to get the info by reaching out to the manufacturer.
Other ways to find out where your fuse box is by tracing wires and where they go. Some boat owners say that you can trace the lead that comes out from the float switch and trace it back to your fuse box.
Then of course there are the boats that don’t have a fuse box all together. Instead, some boats have a series of switches that let you control the power coming from your battery to different parts of your watercraft. More often than not, you should find this somewhere near the helm, the dashboard, or below the captain’s seat.
How to Replace Fuses in a Fuse Box
A blown fuse will manifest itself in a variety of ways, depending on what’s affected by the fuse in question. If your electronic instruments, electrical equipment, or lights are not working then it might be time you replace a fuse before they start running again.
If that’s the problem with your pontoon and you’re looking for a way to replace a blow fuse, this short step by step guide should help you with the process.
Localize the Blown Fuse
There are several tens of fuses in that fuse box, all of which serve the purpose of regulating the power that flows to the different electrical components that pass through it. These fuses should be somewhat arranged in a row, so you won’t have such a hard time finding them.
The issue is determining which one is busted. Check the filament inside to see if it’s broken. If your boat uses updated fuses, there should be a little window on the side of each one to let you look through to the fuse inside.
Take Out the Broken Fuse
Now that you know which one has a problem, you can go ahead and take it out with a set of long-nose pliers. They’re really not that hard to remove, and they come out with relatively little effort. But if there’s some dirt or corrosion in the area, then you might have to apply a little extra force.
Older boats might have a fuse design that has to screw in. You can use a different set of pliers to get a better grip on the fuse. Just make sure you work gently since this type can break during the process of removal, making them harder to get out when they’re crooked or damaged.
Choose the Right Fuse Replacement
Another thing you have to remember is that there are different kinds of fuses, so they won’t all work on your boat. If you check the side of the head, you’ll find an amp rating that tells you the number of amps a specific slot will allow. So the fuse you install should have the same number. Replacing the fuse with another of a different amp rating won’t work.
What’s convenient about fuses is that they’re available almost everywhere. Your local hardware store might even sell them in an assorted little packet, giving you 5, 20, 30 amp fuses in one package. Since they’re pretty cheap, it would be nice to pack along a set of fuses on board so you can make a quick replacement if you need to.
Put It In Its Place
When you’ve found the right fuse, it’s time to put it in its place. These things aren’t really that tough to install - all you need to do is position it into the receptacle and give it a nice push with your thumb. This should snap it in place.
If your boat uses those older round fuses, you’re going to have to screw them in place. Keep turning until it gives a little resistance. Be careful to over tighten the fuse - if the glass breaks, you could expose the delicate filament which may be dangerous. Make sure to cut the power before you touch it to replace it.
Tips for Replacing a Fuse
Easy as Pie
There are a lot of maintenance tasks on deck that might seem complicated until you try. Replacing a fuse is something any boat owner can do - the only real riddle is finding out where is the fuse box on a pontoon boat. Fortunately, with this tidbit of information and a little twisting and snapping there, you should be able to replace that busted fuse and get your boat’s electronics working like new.
