3 wire 12 gauge wire

[Scuda11]

Hi guys, quick question. Just rewired the boat as part of the rebuild and we installed nice, heavy gauge wire. In it is 1 black (neg), 1 white (pos) and 1 green (grnd). When I am hooking up my nav lights for example, what should I do with the green wire up forward? And at the terminal block do I ground it?<br /><br />Thanks in advance..

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: 3 wire 12 gauge wire

That wire is intended for AC not DC, hence the three wires. DC is 2-wire usually yellow (neg) and Red (pos) or Black (neg) and red (pos). If you are going to use that wire you have for DC, you just use 2 of the 3.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: 3 wire 12 gauge wire

What Ralph said. I was trying to think of something creative you could use the 3rd wire for but nothing comes to mind. It won't hurt to connect it in parallel to your gnd since it's already there, i.e. use two wires for ground instead of one.

 

[Scuda11]

Re: 3 wire 12 gauge wire

awesome, thanks guys!

 

[BlackKnight755]

Re: 3 wire 12 gauge wire

You could... nahhhhh, that would never work anyway... lol! Looks like you just got a spair wire for backup.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: 3 wire 12 gauge wire

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: 3 wire 12 gauge wire

Originally posted by BlackKnight755:<br /> You could... nahhhhh, that would never work anyway... lol! Looks like you just got a spair wire for backup.

What good will that wire do when they are backing up? <br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[SeaTrek]

Re: 3 wire 12 gauge wire

Yawl forgetting one thing.....<br />If that's NOT marine grade wire, you better cross your fingers.<br />Marine D.C. copper wire has more strands of copper than hill wiring and the compounds used in the insulation are different also.<br /><br />

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: 3 wire 12 gauge wire

That wire sounds like romex wire, if it is, it is solid core, Do not use any solid core wire for the boat! You can buy 2, or 3 wire marine cable, as this is what you need! Good Luck, Joe