Ground wires

[Stevens520]

I've been doing some work on the boat lately and have noticed that some previous owners have attached ground wires under riser bolts and a few attached to the box behind the steering wheel. I know this would be fine on a glasser, but what about an aluminum boat? Should I move them to the battery, or leave them alone?

 

[Captmills]

Re: Ground wires

sooner or later everything needs to go back to the battery, whether it's through the terminal block under the dash or a wire back to the battery.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Ground wires

I went back to a negative terminal block on mine, this goes right back to negative on the battery. NEVER ground to the boat, it will cause corrosion problems. So in affect you're going to the negative side of the battery thru a wire not the boat.

So yes I agree 100% with Captmills.

 

[Stevens520]

Re: Ground wires

Thanks fellas. Looks like I'm going to have to relocate them then, and rewire everything correctly since there was also many jiffy connectors used too. Also found areas where they used extension cord with the ends cut off for wiring. I'm surprised everything works.

 

[HarryO60]

Re: Ground wires

I f your looking to rewire to marine specs then you have some work to do. First get a bus bar for the negative/ground side. Make sure you run the same size wire, most likely #10 or #8, for both positive and negative sides. Use ring terminals,not spade connectors. I use double crimp connectors with shrink tube to seal the connection. Double crimp connectors crimp to the wire and the insulation. I don't support soldered connections for fear of cold joints. I strongly suggest planning a wiring diagram before starting a rewire.
I use standard plastic electrical conduit to house my wiring runs. It's cheap flexible and east to support using existing clips or wire ties to suspend the conduit.

Hope this helps.Good luck with your project...

 

[barato2]

Re: Ground wires

agree with everything said above, esp Harry. another reason to avoid solder is galvanic corrosion of the wire, per Nigel Calder.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Ground wires

I rewired my 22 holiday as it was a mess. I just cut everything out and started over Hot to block and ground also to block at dash locted, easy to see and replace if needed. I connected with tube crimp and silver soldered all, then shrink wraped no problems up till I sold it this spring. always check ens of wires with a ohm meater if you have one.