Should I Have a Separate Negative Bus Bar in Engine Compartment?

Question:

I have been enjoying your videos. I do have a quick question on wiring in the engine compartment . I have a typical dual battery configuration with sing i/o engine. With two blowers, two bilge pumps, trim tabs and some courtesy lights in engine compartment and cockpit that are wired down into engine compartment. Should I have a separate negative bus bar in engine compartment or run all those wires back up to helm area and add a bus there? - Ed

Answer:

If all your circuits are switched at helm, might make sense to have the DC negative distribution at the helm. A better way, would be to install a main negative distribution at the batteries and sub negative distribution at the helm.  - Jeff