Complete Electrical Redo

[jjrobiso]

I love these electrical diagrams! so useful! I do have questions tho as I am no electrician but I do plan to redo my boat completely. that means new wires, new switches, new fuses. the problem goes with switches and fuses. I'm going to have one fusebox with switches by the console. what amp size fuses should i use for fish finders, lights, gauges, bilge pump, livewell pump, trolling motor, etc... Is that something that i need to do calculations for? What would the benefit of an inline fuse be then? if there were switches but no fuses? I'm just trying to learn my options so that i can have everything the way i want it. thank you for any help you can give me. any help on what my remote does and what is connected to it and what it goes to (the engine obviously, but theres alotta wires there) would help tremendously!

 

[jjrobiso]

Re: Complete Electrical Redo

Also, more info.

1979 Winner Fish & Ski ZZ880
Evinrude 100 hp 100999s

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Complete Electrical Redo

You start this process by drawing yourself a very complete diagram showing everything you have on the boat.. Failure to do this will likely make a badly wired boat even worse. Do not worry about fuse sizes at this time. If you use a fuse box you don't need an in-line fuse. Every device in your boat has a current rating specified in the owners manual for that device. They typically also indicate the fuse size. You DO NOT wire a trolling motor through the fuse panel. That motor draws way too much current and is powered by a totally separate battery and wiring. That is discussed to death in this forum. Study the diagrams in the sticky. Also be aware that the wiring for the engine to the console is covered n the service manual for your specific engine. This diagram outlines how the accessories and instruments are wired in most recreational boats. Just because something is shown does not mean you need to use it. Use what you need and ignore what you don't. Just ensure you understand the "concept".

Here is how current flows through a simple circuit. Doesn't matter what that circuit is powering.

And another way to represent wiring from battery to device and back again.

 

[jjrobiso]

Re: Complete Electrical Redo

Why would there be a need for a circuit breaker before the fuse panel? Probably a stupid question

 

[etracer68]

Re: Complete Electrical Redo

I would think, if your using, or have turned on, alot of the things from the fuse panel, and it is drawing more amps then the supply wire can handle safely. It would pop the breaker thats supplying the fuse panel. Same concept of a main breaker in your home. Pardon my spelling.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Complete Electrical Redo

A boat has two electrical systems. One consists fo the very big battery cables that run from the battery to the engine. Various circuit then run from the engine to the throttle/shift box and back. That set of circuits is protected by a fuse(es) at the engine. There is normally a red & black pair of #8 or #10 wires that feed the fuse panel. A 20 amp breaker or fuse is located within six inches of the positive post on the battery. The job of that fuse or breaker is to protect the long run of wire between the battery and the panel. Fuses in the panel protect the runs of wire between it and the device. It is ESSENTIAL that you include the fuse in that feed. That fuse carries the total load of everything powered from the fuse panel.

 

[Don S]

Re: Complete Electrical Redo

Here is a file from the USCG boat builder handbook. This is the electrical section and explains why things are done the way they are and how to install it properly. http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/pdf/downloads/ELECTRICAL.pdf

 

[labawg]

Re: Complete Electrical Redo

Excellent reference. How about a sticky?

 

[jjrobiso]

Re: Complete Electrical Redo

great pieceof literature! page 70 especially. this helps me a lot! here are some pics of the mess i'm in I'm actually looking forward to it. that way it'll be all mine. no waste, no extras or no "not enough" stuff. I'm excited about this. just glad you guys have helped give me direction