Re-wire the whole boat.

[Dexloy]

I have a lot of wires that don't go anywhere or to anything in my boat, 1982 Robalo, I have "cleaned up" some and replaced others but feel the need to redo it the right way. My thoughts here are to move the "main bus" inside the cutty cab, there is a pull down panel behind the dash to acsess the gauges and would like to put it there so it would be drier and still easy to get to. <br /><br />Can I use the old wire if I replace bad conectors? How should I check the wires to make sure they are still servicable? I have an meter and a little know how, but would like any advice you can offer on what they should read and what that would mean, IE ohm, resistance, gauge? <br /><br />I hate a boat that breaks or wont start, it is a pain and not safe offshore, I don't want to be the one that needs a tow!

 

[briannh1234]

Re: Re-wire the whole boat.

Dexloy -<br />It can be done. I rewired my entire boat. Took awhile and took lots of wire. If the old wire didn't look good - I replaced it.<br />If you have no experience with wiring, you should read up on it. There are some safty concerns. All circuits should have a fuze (except maybe the starter motor.) You need to run the right gage wire depending on the amp used and the distance from the battery. You need to use "Marine" electical components that won't make any spark at all. Then there are the USCG codes.<br />If you have done any car wiring then it is simular - the biggest diff is that generally the boat is not a good conductor of electricity so you have to run a ground wire all the way to the battery.<br />And then - for a good connection I recommend crimp, solder, and shrink wrap. Others may recommend different.<br />- Brian

 

[Laddies]

Re: Re-wire the whole boat.

Dexloy, it's a labor of love, but when you look at some of the wiring done on boats, you under stand the meaning of shade tree, now everyone calm down I am not running down shadetrees, I have seen some of the worst of it done in marinas, it looks like spaghetti someone poured over top of the battery---Bob

 

[Dexloy]

Re: Re-wire the whole boat.

hehe yep shade tree, thats the right way to put it, I think I'll do a little at a time. I have been replacing, solder, crimp, shrink greasse. I'll keep ya updated.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Re-wire the whole boat.

Good Luck Dexloy

 

[jlinder]

Re: Re-wire the whole boat.

I would suggest you make records and draw a schematic that shows every wire and color code.<br /><br />It will be a real help if you have to do anything in the future.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Re-wire the whole boat.

Hi Dexloy.. Here's a good reference for ya.. Might come in handy.. http://pkys.com/Reference.htm <br /><br />Jack L makes an excellent point... "color codes".. Don't just use a bunch of red and black wire... That makes it a mess when trying to trace problems later on.. Follow the color codes that the ABYC recomends.. Not that you wish to sell your boat, Dex, but nice and tidy wiring adds to re-sale value, especially if a potential buyer has a survey done..

 

[Dexloy]

Re: Re-wire the whole boat.

and it will sure make it easy to trouble shoot when something is wrong.<br /><br />Thanks for the link, I will document and do a schematic as I go.

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Re-wire the whole boat.

use a dielectric grease on any plug connections (connections that are not crimped, soldered, shrinked) to keep moisture out and conductivity high.

 

[Dexloy]

Re: Re-wire the whole boat.

Yep, I use it on buss bars and plug wires, so I guess if there is a plug conect that needs replaced I can use the little "bullet" ones and grease them.