I still got too many wires in my boat

[jtexas]

When I first got the old girl she had a big birds nest of wiring back at the battery. I pulled out about 3 miles of not-connected-to-anything wires where previous owners had replaced or added accessories & just left old wiring in. Now it just looks like a small plate of spaghetti.<br /><br />I'm just talking about accessories: the engine wiring harness is still wrapped & intact no problem. Trolling motor separate battery not connected to this circuit.<br /><br />I saw advice on another thread to just run a #8 common ground wire & splice everything to that. Question, can I do the same with a hot wire to the switches at the console? All I got is running lights, fishfinder, livewell fill & pump-out pumps & bilge pump. No gauges. <br /><br />thanks!<br />jtw

 

[jlinder]

Re: I still got too many wires in my boat

From what I gather you want to run 1 hot wire to the console then power the switches off that. Sounds fine, but:<br /><br />1. You need to fuse all the switches individually. Best bet is to mount a fuse panel up under the console. Run the 12v hot lead to it then wire each switch to the other end of the fuse.<br />2. Fuses need to be sized appropriatly for each device. Make sure the wire on the other end of the switch can handle the amperage you fuse for, and that the fuse will blow if the current goes abnormally high.<br />3. #8 wire is just a reccomendation. While it is a good bet it will handle what you need, do the math first. Total up all the current you will be drawing and size the wire to meet it. Consider not only carrying capacity of the wire, but the voltage drop (how long is the wire). Once you figure that out, since this is your main wire I would not be hesitant to go one size higher.<br />4. Document everything.<br />5. Document everything.<br />(documentation is important enought to repeat. Make schematic drawings. Use a clear plastic bag like you see attached to FexEx boxes, glue next to the fuse panel, and store a COPY of the drawings there. Include color code. You can also store spare fuses in the bag)<br /><br />Good luck. It should make everything much neater and easier to troubleshoot in the future.

 

[Laddies]

Re: I still got too many wires in my boat

Don't for get to fuse the no 8 wire as it leaves the batt, or install a cicuit breaker, it must be fused as it is req. as per Coast Guard regs.

 

[jlinder]

Re: I still got too many wires in my boat

I forgot to mention that. Do you remember the distance limit from the battery? About 8 inches is what I remember.<br /><br />And keep spare fuses. I would hate for a blown fuse to make me dead in the water.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: I still got too many wires in my boat

7 inches maximum. <br /><br /> Very handy reference - I suggest you print out all 8 pages.

 

[jtexas]

Re: I still got too many wires in my boat

Heck, I can do all that. Excellent information - thanks, guys!

 

[llfish]

Re: I still got too many wires in my boat

You can buy toggle switches that are fused.