Do I need a bus bar?

[nnelson1]

I am getting ready to replace the stock distribution panel on my Mac/Ven 222.

I will be using it for the cabin light, the mast light, and the nav lights (one dual at the bow, one white stern).

Do I need to use a bus bar or would I be alright without one?

Thanks in advance,

Nick

[argonaut]

You use a bar to obtain a easy to service low resistance connection.

Ideally you want all grounds brought to a single point.
I use one to ground the negative side of all of my zipcord runs. The positive sides connect to my fused panel switches a few inches away.
Keeps the wiring neat and makes adding new stuff easy.

An 8 gauge wire connects the bar to battery negative.

I use them only for ground, don't want battery voltage out where it could be shorted accidentally.

[Catigale]

A Single point ground isnt important for lights and resistive loads.

You dont need a bus bar - crimp a round connector onto the end of each of the three ground wires and put all three on the ground screw on the panel. Dont use an open end 'U' style connector - get the one where the screw will hold the wires in place even if it loosens. If you put a couple extra on the same screw it will make repairs easy too.

[Divecoz]

You use a bar to obtain a easy to service low resistance connection.

Ideally you want all grounds brought to a single point.
I use one to ground the negative side of all of my zipcord runs. The positive sides connect to my fused panel switches a few inches away.
Keeps the wiring neat and makes adding new stuff easy.

An 8 gauge wire connects the bar to battery negative.

I use them only for ground, don't want battery voltage out where it could be shorted accidentally.

I am with you on this . After wiring and rewiring numerous boats on Cozumel and here . a buss bar is the way to go for the ground . All positives to the panel for small boats .

[Highlander]

I don't know how do you drink on a bus ?
I hope were not talking public transit here