Need help with re wiring my dads old bass boat

[revampingmydadaboat]

My dad passed away and I was given his old bass boat. The boat runs and is lake ready. Except for the rats nest in the battery compartment and under the console. It’s a train wreck, lights don’t work, gauges don’t work. ECT. I am knowledgeable enough so I was able to buy a new bilge and run it to a switch and directly to the battery(in case the boat took on water) But other than the bilge the only thing on the battery is the motor. I want to take all old wires out buy new lights, other accessories and switches. But I do not even know where to start/how to do it correctly when dealing with multiple accessories. I think I need a switch panel, a fuse block and a bus?? But I’m not completely sure nor am I sure how to run them all together. There are two batteries for the trolling motor and one for start up. It’s a 1985 TideCraft with a 2 stroke 150 Yamaha. Any help would be very appreciated! Thank you In advance.

 

[alldodge]

This is basic

 

[jhande]

I have to chime in, this might be silly but...

While I was researching boat wiring it was recommend to run your motor, bilge pump and nav/stern lights off the main battery. All other kinds of unnecessary accessories off the trolling motor batteries. Is that not necessary?

 

[dingbat]

I have to chime in, this might be silly but...

While I was researching boat wiring it was recommend to run your motor, bilge pump and nav/stern lights off the main battery. All other kinds of unnecessary accessories off the trolling motor batteries. Is that not necessary?

I'm running two (2) deep cycle batteries with an ACR monitoring battery 1.
My criteria for connection is that all critical loads (required to get home) are assigned to the Battery 1

Battery 1 - Motor, Navigation lights, Bilge pumps, Trim Tabs, VHF radio, Chartplotter and Fish finder.

Battery 2 - General "House lighting and non-critical electrical loads, Washdown and Live well pumps, Radio/CD, VHF 2, Chartplotter 2, Radar

 

[jhande]

My criteria for connection is that all critical loads (required to get home) are assigned to the Battery 1

Battery 1 - Motor, Navigation lights, Bilge pumps, Trim Tabs, VHF radio, Chartplotter and Fish finder.

Just curious since I'm new to all this. How is a chartplotter and fish finder critical for getting home using the main battery?

 

[alldodge]

Just curious since I'm new to all this. How is a chartplotter and fish finder critical for getting home using the main battery?

Me, me , me I know this one
Chartplotter is "part of the fish finder"
The fish has nothing to do with the issue, its just part of the plotter

Your 30 to 50 miles off shore, and no one has studied the section lately, or may even have one, so need Sat Nav to lead you back to port

 

[dingbat]

Just curious since I'm new to all this. How is a chartplotter and fish finder critical for getting home using the main battery?

I often venture far from sight of land, (offshore) often in total darkness.

I could resort to dead reckoning if need be, but pointless seeing I have two chartplotters onboard.

As far as the fish finder...shoaling is a constant problem in tidal water. Running aground isn’t an option.

I’m constantly comparing deep readings on chart to actual readings to confirm accuracy of chart and my position.

If the chart says I’m in 6’ of water and I reading 3’, there is cause for concern. Either I’m off course or shoaling has made the chart inaccurate

 

[Lewis]

Dingbat, I like your logic. I'm assuming the OP has a starting/house battery and 2 deep cycles for the trolling motor wired in series for 24V for the trolling motor. Would the "secondary" loads in your design simply run off one of the deep cycle batteries? And does it matter whether all three of his batteries charge off the outboard? If his set-up is like a lot of bass boats I've seen, the trolling motor batteries do not.

 

[dingbat]

Dingbat, I like your logic. I'm assuming the OP has a starting/house battery and 2 deep cycles for the trolling motor wired in series for 24V for the trolling motor. Would the "secondary" loads in your design simply run off one of the deep cycle batteries? And does it matter whether all three of his batteries charge off the outboard? If his set-up is like a lot of bass boats I've seen, the trolling motor batteries do not.

The short answer is yes and no........Tapping 12V from one battery would impart an unbalanced load on the untapped battery. Tapping the second battery with an equal load would in theory balance the load, but impractical in application.

You need an isolated DC to DC, (24V to 12V) convertor to do it safely.