Needed 12 volt genius and species...

[phwrd]

Hello,

Have a new to me, 20 foot center console, reworking the face of the console. And want to make the the boat more idiot proof.

Bought some 3/8 inch abs, gonna mount new gauges & switches on these, using thumb screws to the boat for easy access.

I want to install a panel with a series of indicator lights. LED lights to show the status of various fuctions on the boat.

I know that the newer, bigger boat have these factory mounted, just trying to add on so that i don't miss anything.

I have no idea how to mount these lights into a grouping, presume that i will need build a board to link everything together.

Read about how to run a wire from the positive side of the bilge pumps, and can set off flashing red led lights based on volts flowing through.

Presume that i can use the same theory on the positive side of the livewell pump. Solid Green.

Going to run a wire to the Nav (Red-Green Front) lights with LED to indicate solid green.

Want to set off an light based on the low fuel indicator alarm on my new flow fuel meter. No idea how to do this,
Just bought it, don't have it yet, haven't even figured out how to hook it up. Flashing Red

Also was thinking about having a light to indicate low battery voltage. Can i do this through a standard volt meter or should i think about a add on, like a "battery brain" ? Flashing Red. Going to use a seperator and multiple batteries. Start and House.

I also want to add to the electrical system in terms of fuse boxs, every component with seperate fuse. With a LED for positive voltage to indicate good vs blown fuses ? Speculating here...

And i am told that a common bus for the negative ground.

I am over my head here, any experts that have the time and patience to help a new guy with big ideas.

Thanks,

Pat

 

[5150abf]

Re: Needed 12 volt genius and species...

Wiring is not my thing but on your bilge pump I put an audible alarm on the hot wire, the bilge kicks on you get an ear splitting scream to let you know there is a problem, an LED light you might miss but not the alarm.
I actually had a dash light too but you couldn't see it in the sun so I took that out.
Just a thought.

 

[JB]

Re: Needed 12 volt genius and species...

That list would last you 'til Fall and you won't get on the water this year, phwrd.

Cut it down to what you need to get her on the water and do the rest next winter.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Needed 12 volt genius and species...

You are making way too much work for youself, especially since you are inexperienced at basic wiring. Flashing any light for example, requires something to make the light actually flash. Like the signal lights on your car. You need a "flasher unit" for each light you want to flash. Chances are the fuel monitor already has a low fuel alarm built into it. Having an idiot light to tell you have a blown fuse seems way over the top rediculous. How do you know the fuse is blown? The device it operates won't work so the first thing you would do is look at the fuse. Why add all the complication. Every electrical connection you make means you have one more connection to corrode and every light you add is one more light to go bad so it doesn't indicate what you want it to anyway.

 

[eastern27]

Re: Needed 12 volt genius and species...

ST is right. You have a 20CC not the Space Shuttle. Most good switch panels come with led indicator lights for each switch. I think, and I haven't tested mine yet, that the led's go out if you blow a fuse even if the switch is on. Otherwise the only thing the leds do is remind you to shut things off. Keep it simple, buy the gauges you need, and keep an eye on them when under way. Trust me, I just got done re-wiring a 27 Lobster Cabin (DC only) with normal switch panels, lights, electronics, pumps, ect. and it took a good long time to do it right. Marine wiring and conections are not like your house. You need to crimp, seal and label ,each wire at each conection point. If you don't a year or so down the road it'll be "duh" when things start to go out and your trying to troubleshoot the problem. Get a book on marine wiring with the ABYC standards, it will lead you in the right direction.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Needed 12 volt genius and species...

I concure with Silvertip & eastern27, I redid my boat from the keel strip up last winter and just getting normal wiring to work is enough, remember everything you do to it will eventually break so the more you do the more you have to fix and as I said you are more than likely not going to see a light with the sun out,that is why they put audible alarms on important functions.
You can certainly go ahead with this project,it is your boat, we are just trying to let you know what you are getting into.
I would get a lighted switch panel from iboats,Cabelas,Bass-pro and just use that,it will come with instructions and it was made for a marine environment, they even have multiple labels so you can mark all your switches and for the battery get a digital voltage gage, then you can see exactly where you are which a light won't tell you.
Good luck

 

[phwrd]

Re: Needed 12 volt genius and species...

Thanks to all of you for sending me a bit of common sense,

Because i want to rewire the whole thing anyway, i guess i am just letting my paranoia & anal side show through.

Will go with the bilge pump solid indicator lights and run the alarms thought the speakers, as you suggested.

but you are right, will hold off installing a sprinkler system with C02 & fire alarms and have to wait on that soviet submarine sonor detector to the dash on a 20 foot open center console...

Depth charges tied with loose twine to the transom would be look cool...but might be a bit heavy...

Thanks again - guess we all need someone to help keep our heads screwed on staight now and then.

Pat