I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

ShawnQ

Chief Petty Officer
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Jan 13, 2003
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529
Hello,<br /><br />I just recently got my engine ready to go (thanks to the engine forum!), and now I am working on the boat itself.<br /><br />The wiring that was in it was all rigged up nasty style, so I went ahead and ripped it all out. <br />There was a cigarette lighter, some sort of small electric fan (mounted in the motor well area, any idea why?), and a stereo which I wont need. He had two distribution blocks, one right by the battery (which is under a rear seat), and one underneath the center console.<br /><br />Anywyas, what all do I need to do to SAFELY and correctly wire in my accessories? (lights, horn, 2 bilge pumps). Do I need to install a certain type of fuse block or distribution block?<br /><br />Any help is appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Shawn
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Shawn,<br /><br />I recommend fuse blocks. The type of fuse used is up to you (glass tube or plug in).<br /><br />I also recommend running a positive and negative heavy guage wire to the console. About 8 guage is fine. Wire that to your fuse block and run the accesory wires from there.<br /><br />Use marine grade wire, it is tinned and won't corrode so badly.<br /><br />You should be able to get everything you need at this site:<br /><br />www.surplusmarine.com<br /><br />Their service is quite good.
 

ShawnQ

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Jan 13, 2003
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529
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Thanks DJohns.<br /><br />My batter is mounted about 3ft away from my console. How should I go about running 8gauge to my console? Through a block or straight off the battery?<br /><br />Shawn
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Shawn,<br /><br />If it's that close, I would go directly off of the battery with a battery shut off switch in between.
 

ShawnQ

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Jan 13, 2003
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529
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Well,<br /><br />It's that close, but to run the wiring without it being open to the elements on the deck, I will have to go through the wales, thru the front seat, and back under the console, so it will be ~10ft.<br /><br />I'd really like to have one panel of switches, all in the same area. I'd like one to be battery on/off, bilge 1 on/off, bilge 2 on/off, safety lights on/off, deck lights on/off, and horn.<br />Does anyone make a switch panel with several switch openings?<br /><br />Just curious, if not, I've got some stainless I can make one out of...but, I'd like to see what they cost first if they are available.<br /><br />The previous owner had switches mounted all over the boat, and none were labeled, so it was a pain to know what went where.<br /><br />BTW, any idea why he would have a fan mounted in the transom well?<br /><br />Thanks<br />Shawn
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Shawn,<br /><br />You can easily find a five, six or more gang switch panel-pre wired.<br /><br />Have you thought about putting the battery under the console?<br /><br />Six or eight guage would be plenty to handle accesories over a ten foot span.<br /><br />The only reason I can see for a fan or blower in the splashwell area is to act as a bilge blower. They are usually not found on outboard boats.
 

ShawnQ

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Jan 13, 2003
Messages
529
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

djohns,<br /><br />the console is small enough as is. I'd hate to mount it under there because I would have to remove the shelf I built to store small things like tackle/bug repellant/sunscreen, etc...<br /><br />Also, the wiring from my engine wouldn't reach from the transom to the console, so how would I get around that? <br /><br />The boat I have has a center console, but you can only walk around it on one side. The seat in from of the console extends all the way to the wale on one side, but not on the other. Behind the console, the rear deck protrudes in the center about 2 feet out, making a seat to sit on while navigating. Just under the seat is where the battery goes. The engine cables are just long enough to reach directly to the battery. I assume it would be ok to have an engine battery, and then a seperate accessories battery, but the less weight the better.<br /><br />Let me know what you think.<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Shawn
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Shawn,<br /><br />I think I'm getting the picture of how your rig is laid out. <br /><br />You need to leave the battery where the engine cables can easily reach it. I wouldn't mess with those.<br /><br />With that said, here is what I would do:<br /><br />1. Run 6-8 gauge wires up to the console-directly from the battery. <br /><br />2. Put a fuse block (positive) in the console. You can also put a negative terminal block there.<br /><br />3. Run wires for the switched accesories to the various switches and then out to the accesories, wherever they may be. 14 ga. wire is plenty for most accesory loads.
 

ShawnQ

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Jan 13, 2003
Messages
529
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Sounds good.<br /><br />I'll probably just buy some switches, and make my own panel. Everyone wants too much.<br /><br />Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes!<br /><br />Shawn
 

crab bait

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Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

solder E V E R T H I N G...
 

Skinnywater

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Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
2,065
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Buy some di-electric grease to smear on the switch connectors, fuses, battery cables, terminal block connectors, light bulb sockets, plugs and sockets.<br />This will be a moisture barrier and corrosion inhibitor. Maintain it as it washes away.
 

Kenbo

Seaman
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Messages
71
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

In addition to soldering everything, seal it with liquid electric tape and heat shrink tubing over that. Seals up things nice and tight and helps minimize corrosion
 

mattttt25

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Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

shawn, is it an i/o or outboard? if it's an i/o, the fan was a blower and you want it back. sorry if i missed something in your posts. good luck-
 

Ted S.

Seaman
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Jan 19, 2002
Messages
62
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Shawn, <br /><br />Have you considered using heat shrinkable solderless crimp connectors? They are easy to use and make a more secure, waterproof connection. The trick is to use the good quality, professional grade connectors and a good crimping tool. (I got mine from Snap-On)<br /><br />In the span of my career as an automotive electronics specialist I have found no failures in any repair when using these connectors, as long as they are done right. <br /><br />Also don't be shy with the cable ties when securing your wire harness. You will be surprised at how things can come loose after pounding your boat out in the chop. <br /><br />Just my 2 cents
 

ShawnQ

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Jan 13, 2003
Messages
529
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Matt, <br /><br />It's a Nissan 90hp outboard. The fan shouldn't be needed, but I kept it just incase the fumes get bad (not wired in, but it's still there if I want to wire it up)<br /><br />Ted,<br /><br />As for the heat shrink. We used it in a few places, but not on the eyering ends, or on the male/female connections. I was looking for the crimp/heatshrink connectors, and couldn't find them. SO, we just used a pair of crimpers, sprayed the connections with the anti-corrosive, and taped them. <br /><br />Like I said before, the boat was only $500, and I am building my own boat, so this is just kind of to hold me over. However, when I sell this boat, the next owner wont have any trouble with the wiring for a good while. We re-did everything from front to back!<br /><br />Lights (front/rear), and ran extra wiring for lights to help see at night, but we haven't installed any yet.<br /><br />Horn<br /><br />(2) bilge pumps (can't be too safe)<br /><br />remote tilt/trim<br /><br />And instead of routing the engine wires on top of the deck with ring clamps, we ran it thru the gunwales and hid it all. It came out looking 100% better, and I feel a lot better about it because if something DOES go wrong, I know where to look since I did the wiring, and I'm familiar with it.<br /><br />Thanks guys! Headed to the lake today! Wish me luck!<br /><br />Shawn
 

Ted S.

Seaman
Joined
Jan 19, 2002
Messages
62
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

I'm green with envy Shawn, We are still waiting for the ice to go out of the lakes up here!! Oh well, it should be any day now, we just need a good wind to break it up. Such is life in the great white north!! Cheers!
 

ShawnQ

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 13, 2003
Messages
529
Re: I need to wire in Lights, Bilge Pump, and Horn..any tips?

Well, took her out today! It was raining/drizzling and about 75-80* up until ~6:30pm when it finally dried up, but still very overcast.<br /><br />WOW, this thing runs great!! Everything worked great, the engine ran great (I also checked compression before I left just to make sure, it was 115 on all 3), and we caught fish!<br /><br />The only problem I noticed was it seems like there is a leak in 2 of the bolt holes that mount the engine to the transom. We put a sealer on all the bolts, but maybe not enough. No big deal! That's why I wired up 2 bilge pumps!<br /><br />Thanks<br />Shawn
 
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