Re: complete rewire
Very few electrical items are made specifically for recreational boats. Almost all of it has some other use in some other industry, and is often less expensive if purchased from an industrial supply source. In a nutshell, a boat is wired with items that are specd at NEMA 4, or preferably 4X. That is the std for electrical goodies installed in a corrosive environment. Switches, electrical boxes, wire, terminal blocks, connectors, all of it is designed for use in a corrosive area and thus works well on boats.<br /><br />I think the folks here can offer you some good idea and tips but I think a book is a good way to get started, and it has handy charts you will be referencing often. Powerboaters Guide To Electrical by Ed Sherman is a good place to start. You can buy/order it here from iboats MegaMall.<br /><br />- Plan everything before you start the actual rewiring. First do a basic plan, then a detailed plan. Keep it simple.<br />- Wire nuts will not be used anywhere for anything on your boat.<br />- No aluminum conductors will be used for anywhere for anything on your boat.<br />- Wire with a single, solid conductor will not be used anywhere for anything on your boat.<br />- Label all wire, both ends, and if you have a bundle also label somewhere in the middle where it can be seen if needed.<br />- Colored wires are pretty but not necessary, except for AC. It will be significantly less expensive to purchase a single, big spool of black wire for everything and used colored shrink tubing and labels to identify the wires.<br />- Decide on if you are going to use a single crimp or double crimp connectors. Single crimp seems to be favored by many folks that also solder the connection, double crimp offers some stain relief where the wire and connector come together.<br /><br />That should help get you started.<br />
