new circut ?

[ziggy]

hi folks, i'm just wondering if anyone has any insight as to addin a new circut properly to a boat. i don't want to violate the uscg or put myself in danger. i don't want to add a breaker or fuse panel. i really don't have the room. i do need pwr to a cd player, and vhf. future is a ciggerett lighter outlet for a spot light. being on the cheap and for no room for the panel. i was just thinkin about running a 8 gauge wire from the batt. up to the front. then splice me on a few fused pigtails. 3-4 of em. two would be aloted for. 1 for the future spot light, and 1 spare. will fuse wire from batt. at batt. solder and shrink wrapp it all up....anyone think i got a bad idea and if so what's a better idea.....all circuts will be non switched which is what i want....

as of now, i got the cluster i got the boat with for extra power. 1 switched, 1 not, comeing from gauges, several ground wires grounded to gauges...i think this cluser of wires should go.

the vhf that says it wants a 10 gauge for power is what's gettin me motivated to be ontoit.....

 

[drewpster]

Re: new circut ?

I see no problem with it as long as you have a fuse or breaker at the 8 gauge wire's source at the battery. The will protect the 8 gauge wire as well. Its important because the 8 gauge can definitely burn the boat down if it gets shorted.

 

[ziggy]

Re: new circut ?

yep, it'll be fused close to the batt. got me a buddy thats into car steros. he's my large stranded wire supply guy, along with heavy inline fuses. + he's hip to wire size and runs and the likes. i think he's thinkin the 8 gauge and 4 pigtails might be fun to solder though. perhaps a propane torch to get that one hot enough to soak it up....then just shrink wrap it good......

 

[drewpster]

Re: new circut ?

Another suggestion would be a buss bar or one of these at the pigtial end,

 

[ziggy]

Re: new circut ?

that's a good idea drewpster. that'd eliminate the main solderin obstical. if i can find a place underdash to mount something like that i don't know. had thought of the bus bar too. specially for the grounds. back to no ware good to mount it. guess that's why i was thinkin just solderin the bunch together. could then just wire tie it up to whatever underdash....not worry about it gettin loose and findin a ground as it'd be all shrik tubed up...the cap on that devise ya pictured would make me feel better.

 

[I/O WALDO]

Re: new circut ?

I like using a fuse link at the battery end of the feed wire.(#8 wire would use a 8 inch piece of # 14 fuse link wire) Solder and seal the wire to the #8 and put an eye on the end of it to connect to the batt/batt.switch.Very weather proof method,electrically protected and should never blow if wiring is properly installed. Run a parallel #8 ground and yer set. I like solder!I would solder-n-seal fused pigtails to #8 , same with the ground pigs.

 

[ziggy]

Re: new circut ?

well, heres how it turned out. looks good engough to me. wirein is a little shakey. didn't have engouh heat to do 8 gage. hence, everything is crimped. didn't do the pig tales. only got the vhf ontoit. stero is off old wireing from previous components. a cluster waitin to be rectified. but the basics came out ok. just need to refine a bit...... still thinkin i'm gonn be solder most connetions. a weller or a propane torch....didn't have time today. sure takes a lot of time to be ontoit. was a all day project from no vhf to operational. hopein to splash it tomorrow. might be 66*. guess i'll take it for as crummy of a spring as were having.......