Boat re-wiring questions

[PierBridge]

I was wondering what gage wire and how many lines to run, I'm going from the back of the boat where the battery will be to the front it'a an 18' boat and I will be the running the wires under the floor.

I want to be able to run a trolling motor, bow light, spotlight, livewell, electric anchor, flasher, plus my gas tank will be up front so a fuel gage sensor also.

Can I run one heavy gage and slice in up front or should I run seperate wires?
I was thinking of running the wires through a PVC pipe up to the front.....

Thanks Pier....

 

[jtexas]

Re: Boat re-wiring questions

Trolling motor needs its own lead, will need to carry 50 amps minimum, with a circuit breaker. Maybe the anchor motor as well, depends on current requirement. Probably looking at 10- or 8- gauge wire for that.

Fuel gauge sender should be powered from the switched power (usually a purple wire) at the keyswitch.

All else, run a 12-ga. positive lead with a 20-amp circuit breaker up front to a fuse box, and also a ground lead to a ground bus.

From the fuse box to switch and switch to device and back to ground bus can be 16 or 18 gauge wire.

If you get interference on your fishfinder you might need a separate power lead to the battery for it, don't forget an in-line fuse.

USCG standard says marine-grade tinned copper strand wire, crimped or crimped and soldered but not just soldered. Wire nuts or pigtails are right out.

I got by with using automotive wire on my application but don't tell anybody.

Not sure about pvc conduit, sounds good to me though.

Have fun!

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Boat re-wiring questions

Thanks Tex,,,,,,8)