gauge wiring

[Dbailey]

I am in the planning stages of rewiring my bass boat. I have everything laid out just right, but have a question on the wiring of the gauges. I am replacing all of them(tach, volt, trim, and speed). Can I splice all the IGN wires into one and tie into a regular toggle switch in the console? I realize that this is not the "normal" procedure, but I am unclear of the whole ignition switch part of the installation. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: gauge wiring

How about running a wire, from your ignition switch, to one gauge, and then run jumper wires from gauge to gauge. You can do the same with your ground wires, and your wires for your gauge lights.

 

[Dbailey]

Re: gauge wiring

That sounds good, but I don't know anything about the ignition switch. I know the basics of DC wiring, but that's about as far as my knowledge goes. There is a plug with like four wires in the control box under the ignition... is this the ignition switch?? Thanks for any info.

 

[crab bait]

Re: gauge wiring

i think what callin' ignition is just a hot wire that becomes hot ( 12vdc) when the key is on.. <br /><br />take a 12v 'light' tester with a awl tip to stick into/thru insulation to find a hot wire when key is on.. <br /><br />can buy said tester ,, anywhere...

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: gauge wiring

hello dbailey. do not plan on grouping factory separate wires - as a rule. if you are actually talking about the ign swtch, then you definitely don't want to put them all together. but you have an admirable plan, if you think your wires need to be replaced. <br /><br />you can give more details and we can probably figure out what is what, and what size wires you need. as far as the mention of 'daisy chaining' guages power feed, that's fine though.<br /><br />if you really want to learn the schematic of your boat, you should click on the link near top of the page for manual and purchase one here - it will give much more peace of mind <br /><br />just my 2cents<br /><br />(amended)<br />i reread your post 2x more, and i think you mean that you hope to have 1 swtch that controls all circuits that are tied to the ign/access...? if so, then sure you can do that. sorry if i misunderstood.<br />you just need to isolate the true ign wire from the "accessories". then run that wire to another swtch first. you might want to put a fusible link or fuseholder inline before it though. best would be past it, with separate fuses per gauge...<br /><br />just another thought

 

[Dbailey]

Re: gauge wiring

thanks for the reply...<br />My boat is 23 years old, and the wiring has been "patched" probably a hundred different times. When I bought it, none of the gauges were wired at all. I would really like to wire them all so that they come on automatically when motor is started... This would be accomplished by wiring through the ignition switch, correct? If so, I have no idea about this subject, so I was just going run a wire from the IGN terminal on the gauges to a single toggle switch in the console. My question, i guess, would have to be "Is the ignition switch located inside the box with the throttle and gear shifter?" Thanks again for the help.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: gauge wiring

Your ignition switch is what your key goes in to, wherever that is on your boat.