Tower wiring

[brick75]

OK, so I'm about to install my tower. It has two speakers and a light that need to be wired. Just found out that the wiring does not route all the way through the tubing and into the boat through the mounting feet. Not sure why I thought it did. I think maybe because I saw that Samson does it that way (damn samson and their superior in every way towers that cost a fortune!).

Anyway, I was hoping to hear how some of you that have this now have the wiring routed into your boat, and ideally see some pics of it.

Thanks!

 

[brick75]

Re: Tower wiring

I think I may have just answered my own question. Found this example on a stereo store's website. Guess it's not going to be as easy as I thought.

 

[Rinker97]

Re: Tower wiring

That's how i did mine. Make sure you run the wire towards the back so when you collapse the tower it doesn't rip out, if you know what i mean.. pretty much just like that picture. feeding the wire through was the hard part, maybe somebody has a good idea on how to do that because i don't lol.

 

[kyle f]

Re: Tower wiring

Pretty much how I did mine as well. Used a Fish tape and some wire lube to get mine through... no issues.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Tower wiring

Not trying to hy-jack this thread, but have a similar question. Does anyone have any close up pictures of their speaker and lightbar wiring?
My deal is, I just purchased my DIY WAKE fully loaded tower. I have another thread started about this;

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=396557

I installed the tower last Friday night. No biggie, made new backing plates & all in all, wasn't to bad to install. I installed 1 of my wakeboard racks Sunday morning befor I hit the lake & the tower is sweeeet & once again, no problems. I still have to install my mirror ( will be easy ), other rack ( easy ) speakers, amp, and 3 light bar ( no problem hooking up, but want to make it look good with the wires ). There isn't any instructions on that part, and I have multiple hinges in the way of the hallow tube. Looking at the picture above, do I need to do this @ every hinge, or are people doing something along the outside of the tube?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I like to do things right the first time.
Here are some pictures, but please don't pay any attention to the dirt and mess because it's been on the water the last 4 days...
Thanks, Rodger

 

[searay12]

Re: Tower wiring

looks real nice

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Tower wiring

Guess I woulda run the wires thru the tubing before/during the tower assembly to save a lot of difficulty. But it appears that ship has sailed...

So now you must either use fish tape, which will be quite challenging to get around bends and find the tiny little holes you drill, and it will probably require you to drill larger holes than would otherwise be necessary. Or maybe it's not too hard for you to disassemble the tower part-way? You can probably just remove and disassemble one leg of the tower for the project to run your wires thru it, and removing a leg might save you a lot of wire fishing headaches. Pretty sure that's what I'd do if I were you...

I think you'll just have to run sort of a "jumper" of plastic tubing as shown in Brick's pic above, out of the tube, around the hinge, and then back into the tubing at each hinge that is in the way on your wiring route. It wouldn't be nearly as clean looking, but simply zip-tying the wire to the outside of the tube at the hinge areas could also work. Heck, you could ziptie the entire wire to the outside of the tower. BUT....that would be both lazy AND cheezy looking.

Not sure if you ever fold this tower or not, but obviously you need to think this through as well to make sure wires don't get pinched or pulled in the folding process.

At every location you run a wire thru a hole drilled in the side of the tube, install a rubber grommet. If you don't do this the wire insulation may eventually cut and short out the wires.

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Tower wiring

This is how I did mine. I used wire loom and where I had to I drilled a hole. Looks good and works. You can drill a hole and fish the wire through. You can use a small stiff wire to pull it through once it reaches the other end.

This is where I had to drill a hole and pull it through to miss the mounting plates and go into the boat. The rest goes throught the tubing.

Here I had to drill a small hole to pull the speaker wire through and clear the mount for the wakeboard rope. Again the rest of the wire is inside the tower tubes.

 

[solar7647]

Re: Tower wiring

I would drill holes and feed the wire through, then at each joint I would pull the wire out of the tube jump the joint and feed it through the next tube and use rubber bushing to keep the wire from rubbing on the metal edge of the holes. Also i would install plugs at all the points where the wire comes out so that the tower can be dissembled with out cutting wire.

The rubber grommets can be pucked up from Lowes and the plug is from Jamestown distributer but should be able to pick it up at a Radio shack. You will need to feed the wire through then install the plug once through so you dont have to drill a huge hole. also run the wire through the back tube because the front is the one that disconnects to colaps the the tower.

also shrink warp the wire connects to prevent shorting and any water from getting in. I saw there are wiring instruction on DIY web site if they didnt send them to you. its under the downloads section.

You can also get metallic wire wrap from a auto parts store to wrap the wires and plugs where they come out of the tube so that you have a real clean professional look and the plugs and wires arent so noticeable.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Tower wiring

Thanks Guys!
Some great information by all. I am supposed to have rain here tomorrow, but I hope to get it done Wed..
Thanks Again,
Rodger

 

[brick75]

Re: Tower wiring

That's the approach I was going to take Solar7647. Anyone know where to get the quick disconnects used between where the wires come out of the top section and go back into the bottom section seen here? I believe I'd need one that accommodates at least 6 wires (4 for the speakers, and 2 for the light).

 

[solar7647]

Re: Tower wiring

That's the approach I was going to take Solar7647. Anyone know where to get the quick disconnects used between where the wires come out of the top section and go back into the bottom section seen here? I believe I'd need one that accommodates at least 6 wires (4 for the speakers, and 2 for the light).

I know that you cane get them at this link http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/search_subCategory.do?categoryName=Wire%20Connectors,%20Terminals,%20Ties,%20Clamps%20and%20Accessories&category=180&refine=1&page=GRID

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Tower wiring

My tower folds forwards, I don't have to use any disconnects and its also pre-drilled for wiring. )

 

[199q]

Re: Tower wiring

If you are trying to fish the wires through you can use some fishing line or floss and a vacuum. (Preferably the shop vac) the vacuum at one end and the fishing line to thread it through. Never done this on the tower before but used that in installing a stereo in my jeep. I think it could work. if not, take it apart, that would work best.

I will also be buying the DIY wake tower. I like the package and think its really neat. how do you like the lights?

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Tower wiring

If you are trying to fish the wires through you can use some fishing line or floss and a vacuum. (Preferably the shop vac) the vacuum at one end and the fishing line to thread it through. Never done this on the tower before but used that in installing a stereo in my jeep. I think it could work. if not, take it apart, that would work best.

I will also be buying the DIY wake tower. I like the package and think its really neat. how do you like the lights?

I ended up fishing it through using some wire you would install chicken wire with. It was plyable enough to work with, but sturdy enough not to bind up all the time. I love the whole DIY package. Looks awesome all put together. The speakers sound pretty good ( I have a 300 watt amp hooked to them ), racks and mirror are good quality, & the lights are very, very bright and sleek looking. It also tows great with very little flex from the tower. All in all, I was extremely happy with everything.