wiring up accessories on a T-Top

wakruem1

Recruit
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
2
Hello. Hope someone can assist with this. I have a 2012 17ft. Mako Pro Skiff that I purchased from BassPro a couple of years ago. I recently purchased and installed a Stryker T-Top. I need to provide power to 3 lights and a VHF radio. I need guidance on how to properly wire up each accessory independently. I was thinking about running a single hot wire from the battery up through the t-top and into the electronic box. This wire would attach into a 4 Gang rocker switch. I would then connect each accessory to the switch. My only problem is that I want this to be a clean install. Meaning I'm a little hesitant in cutting a hole in my electronic box to install the rocker switch. BTW: I wanted to minimize the number of wires running through the t-top that's why I was looking at running only 1 hotwire. Please let me know if there is a better way to do this. This is driving me crazy.

Thanks.
 

duped

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 26, 2009
Messages
307
Unfortunately there's no easy way to do it. What I have done in the past is feed a single power wire (preferably 10GA to give you a good safety margin/future expansion) to a nice combined switch/breaker panel up there. They make some pretty nice panels that will look right at home. But of course you still have to chase the wires to each light so you if you haven't fully installed the T-Top and it is sectional, it's a hell of a lot easier to pull wires when the top is still in pieces.
 

H20MRE

Recruit
Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Messages
1
wiring up accessories on a T-Top July 19th, 2015, 04:29 PM

Hello. Hope someone can assist with this. I have a 2012 17ft. Mako Pro Skiff that I purchased from BassPro a couple of years ago. I recently purchased and installed a Stryker T-Top. I need to provide power to 3 lights and a VHF radio. I need guidance on how to properly wire up each accessory independently. I was thinking about running a single hot wire from the battery up through the t-top and into the electronic box. This wire would attach into a 4 Gang rocker switch. I would then connect each accessory to the switch. My only problem is that I want this to be a clean install. Meaning I'm a little hesitant in cutting a hole in my electronic box to install the rocker switch. BTW: I wanted to minimize the number of wires running through the t-top that's why I was looking at running only 1 hotwire. Please let me know if there is a better way to do this. This is driving me crazy.

Thanks.>>>>>

1 VHF and 3 lights? 15-20 Amp Max, much less, if were talking LEDS vs incandescent lighting, and more, if we're talking a spot light. Assuming I am correct with a max 15-20 AMP Draw;

1. Run 12 G tinned duplex wire from your box to the console.
2. The Hot wire should be connected to a switched power source, such as the "Common" post of your battery switch; or a fused bus bar or distribution panel in your system to the electronic box. DO NOT wire it directly you battery,
3. The ground wire should be connected to your ground bus bar, and not to the negative post on your battery.
4. Install a 4 switch panel with the appropriate size breakers; or a switch panel and a fuse panel in your electronics box.
5. There should be a main breaker or inline fuse (25 AMP) between your power source and your switch panel/breaker or fuse panel

If you need any guidance, feel free to email me (edit) or PM me. If you give up on it and are in our general area, bring the boat by and we can do this for you....easy peasy.

Best of luck with the install.

Capt. Allan
H20 Marine Customs
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,308
Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard Capt. Allan,....Please see my note above,.... Great 1st post,....

I'll hi-light one point, You state runnin' a Duplex wire, which is absolutely correct,....

Ya gotta run a ground line, as well as power,....
Never ground through the metal structures of the boat,....
 
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