Re: I need help with electrical system(with pictures)
There seems to be two issues you need resolved but you've sort of beat around the bush with the questions: As I understand it you want the following:
1) Theory of operation for the electrical system. So here goes: Your boat has TWO electrical systems (not two circuits). One system is related to the engine, the throttle/shift control box, and the instruments. The other is the BOAT system. It is what powers all other accessories on the boat. HOWEVER, you have a dual battery switch so the above description basically applies to a single battery system. Since we have no idea who wired the switch or how it is wired, we also have no idea how it functions on your boat. But here is how it SHOULD be wired and how it would TYPICALLY be used.
The switch has an OFF position: Obviously, if that position is selected BOTH batteries are disconnected so as to prevent battery discharge while away from the boat.
BAT #1: Battery #1 starts the engine, the engine charges ONLY that battery, and that battery runs ALL accessories as they would be/should be connected tot he COM terminal on the switch. BAT #2 is merely along for the ride.
BAT #2: Works the same as BAT #1 except BAT #2 is now doing the work. BAT #1 is along for the ride.
BOTH: Both batteries are tied together in parallel and both can start the engine, both are being charged and both are powering all
of the accessories. The switch is like a traffic cop -- it simply directs which battery(ies) is to be used. This subject has been beat to death so use the SEARCH feature to learn about WHEN to use the various settings. But as the ad on TV says -- "It's really not that difficult". If your boat has some "creative" switch wiring you will need to sort that out yourself. However, all accessories including the feed for the fuse panel should be wired to the COM terminal on the switch. About the only thing that wouldn't be is an automatic bilge pump. You want that to run if you are away from the boat so it gets wired directly to BAT #2.
2) Upgrade the electrical system. This is a little vague as adding a CD/Radio and some interior lights is not an upgrade to the electrical system. It is adding accessories to the boat. If you need more switches then add them. If you want new instruments, add them.
If you begin to play with wiring, don't make the mistake of NOT MARKING WIRES or you will be back here for another wiring 101 lesson.
You already have a tach. If you want to replace it buy whatever you like. Wiring is the same unless you currently have a tach with other built in features such as hour meter, oil, temp and other indicators. Then you need the engine-specific tach. A battery meter is a voltmeter which you also already have. Bolt in the new one and swap the wires. You already have a fuel gauge. Bolt in the new one and swap the wires.
Fuse panels come in many forms with any number of fuse slots. Buy what you want and replace it. Buy one with a built in ground bus to avoid having ground wires running all over the place.
You can add as many switches as you wish. Buy what lights your fire. Here is a typical switch wiring diagram. The light can be any device of your choosing. Electricity doesn't care what it's powering.
