12 volt accessory outlet

[canyonken]

I want to install one of those 12 volt accessory adaptors on my dash so I can plug in various 12V things like little air pumps etc...
I know the black wire just ties into any other black ground wire under the dash. The confusing part is the power wire. Not sure where to tie in the red power wire.
Boat is 1996 searay 175XL with 4.3LX merc.
I am looking at quicksilver instrumentation diagram.
There is a red/purple wire going to top of ignition switch with an inline 20 amp fuse. Is this the wire I should be tieing into for power to outlet ??
If so, which side of 20 amp fusr should I splice into?
thanks
ken

 

[TommyA]

Re: 12 volt accessory outlet

Most of the time the purple wire feeds the accessories and the red wire feeds the switch from the power source. So we need to know does this purple/red wire feed the gauges and other accessories or does it feed from the battery? If it is the connection to the accessories then you would splice after the fuse and before the accessory. I prefer to connect straight to the battery using a in line fuse but then you must remember to unplug before leaving it unattended.

 

[jtexas]

Re: 12 volt accessory outlet

The red/purple is 12V feed to the keyswitch, for powering the starter & choke solenoids, gauges, other switched accessories (only work when the key is on). Should be an "A" terminal on the keyswitch, typically a purple wire, for switched 12V, but you need another fuse on your outlet circuit.

I'd recommend you find your fuse box; if there's an empty slot, that'd be perfect.

No empty fuse slot, an inline fuse would do. I'd be inclined to splice into whatever 12V wire feeds the fuse box instead of the keyswitch -- it's very inconvenient when that 20 amp fuse blows, motor won't start.

You could even add an on/off toggle in series with the outlet.

Just be sure to use a fuse rated the same or lower as the outlet, and wiring gauge to match. Try to push too many amps through too thin of wire, it'll heat up maybe enough to melt the insulation & start a fire.

 

[canyonken]

Re: 12 volt accessory outlet

thanks for the info.
I will try to find the fuse box. I must have one somewhere.
Where is a likely location to find it ????
The boat is a typical 18 foot bow rider with the 4.3 liter Merc. etc. etc.
Is it a box with a door or is it just a board with a bunch of wires coming and going?
I know this is an easy thing to do but I am not very knowledgable with wiring and electric do's and don'ts.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 12 volt accessory outlet

The logical place to look for a fuse panel is under the helm since that's where most of the electronics resides. DO NOT tap into any other circuit. Accessory outlets can have anything from a cell phone charger to a vacuum cleaner plugged into them so they can draw very little current to lots of it. If you tapped into the instrument panel power wires, those wires would not be capable of handling the current draw. Your boat will have a fuse or circuit breaker panel somewhere. Tap into an unused position on that panel and add a fuse that is sized for the wire and maximum load.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 12 volt accessory outlet

Also, bring your ground down to the fuse panel ground bus. it is a place where all the grounds go. There will be a thick ground wire that comes from the rear of the boat that feeds it.

 

[slia67]

Re: 12 volt accessory outlet

Where in the St Louis area are you located? If we're close, I might be able to help.

 

[canyonken]

Re: 12 volt accessory outlet

thanks for all the tips.
I have a 650 page PDF file for my engine/boat I got online.
The whole electrical section covers everything from ignition, charging, instrument panel, etc. Also has wiring diagrams for all this stuff.
None of them show a fuse panel.

One diagram (Instrumentation) does show a connection in that red/purple line with the 20 amp fuse. The connection point is right next to the 20 amp fuse in the diagram.

There is a note for it - "Power for a second fused accessory panel may be taken from this location. Load MUST NOT exceed 35-40 amps. Panel ground wire MUST BE connected to instrument terminal that has an 8 gauge BLACK (ground) harness wire connected to it."

I am not doing anything until I confirm whether or not there is a fuse panel.
I am thinking this connection point described may be important.

I am located in Manchester area. Just west of 270 and just North of 44.

 

[slia67]

Re: 12 volt accessory outlet

Like Silvertip said, check under your helm when you get a chance.

Sorry, I'm on the other side of the river.

 

[gstanton]

Re: 12 volt accessory outlet

You DO have a fuse panel. Don't give up and don't make a mistake!