Switch panel fuse

[jojo]

I am creating a switch panel box with this panel.
https://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=71708&pdesc=LED_Switch_Panel_4_Gang_Switch_Panel_5_x_4_1/2&str=switch+panel&merchID=4005

Each breaker is 10 amps and it says a total of 40 amps. So I was wanting to use an inline fuse from the battery to this panel with 12AWG wire. Would a 40 amp fuse and 12AWG wire be right? Is a fuse here necessary?

 

[Diesel Dan]

My wire chart says it is ok up to 10 feet but if you go to 15 ft you should go up to a 10awg to carry 40 amps.

 

[jojo]

I am really curious to know this.

Do you guys use a fuse/breaker in between the battery and switch panel?

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

I do and a fuse after the switch.

 

[jojo]

Another thing I was confused about.

Why are all these pre-wired switch panels made with 10 or 15 amp fuses/breakers. The bilge pump and lights that I have require way less than that. Just wondering.

 

[Diesel Dan]

One reason may be that these panels are made for all sort of boat sizes. The more wire you use in a circut the more resistance you add and the more amps it takes to push through. You may not need that much on your boat with a small bildge only 5 ft from your switch panel but a tugboat using the same set up may have 30 or 40 ft of wire in btween and a lesser amp fuse might not stand it. That is my best guess. I know when we restored our tug boats we used these type of panels without any problems