Re-wire

[eedwards]

I'm going to rewire my boat over the winter aand need to know what gauge wire i should use.
I'm adding breaker panel so it will be lights,radio,bilge,and mat\ybe add some lights around the boat.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Re-wire

usually the wire size is designed to carry the current you need for the accessories. A 14AWG wire can carry 15Amps, a 12 AWG wire carries 20Amps.

On your boat, unless you have a power wench, you should be able to get away with 14 AWG wire. if you are boating in salt water, you might consider using marine-grade wire. it is superior to auto wiring. If you cannot create a gas and water-tight crimp, solder all critical conections. Fuse the accesssories properly.

 

[eedwards]

Re: Re-wire

usually the wire size is designed to carry the current you need for the accessories. A 14AWG wire can carry 15Amps, a 12 AWG wire carries 20Amps.

On your boat, unless you have a power wench, you should be able to get away with 14 AWG wire. if you are boating in salt water, you might consider using marine-grade wire. it is superior to auto wiring. If you cannot create a gas and water-tight crimp, solder all critical conections. Fuse the accesssories properly.

The reason i'm doing it is because there are no fuses.
Also because of the lack of fuses i had i small fire when two wires crossed that got dameged.
And by the way those wires where for the radio and someone took one of those brown hose ext. cords to wire it up.
And no salt water but i do have the stuff to heat shrink everything.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Re-wire

moving to electrical forum

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Re-wire

Here is a wire gage selection table that I found while doing some research for my little project.
"http://www.submarineboat.com/sub/wiring.html"
This chart also clarifies what Chris1956 mentioned, and more. Shows the amps, how many feet and what kind of wire gage you should use for the footage depending on the amps. Unfortunately I don't think that you can copy and past the selection table like you can some pictures (off of a website) so you will half to refer back that website if you will need further help from it or print it out. I've heard of a boat repair employee that claims he uses extension cords for some of the wiring on a boat, not my recommendation lol.

 

[wire2]

Re: Re-wire

Here is a wire gage selection table that I found while doing some research for my little project.
" http://www.submarineboat.com/sub/wiring.html "
....

The 1st table appears to be an old copy from the National Electrical Code. 60? C insulation has been obsolete for many years, the standard is now 90? C.
Several ratings are now higher, notably 3/0 is 200A, 3 is 100A, 6 is 60 A.
The standard rule of #14, 12 and 10 being rated at 15, 20, and 30A is for house/factory wiring, at 120, 240 and 480 volts AC. !2 V DC is far more liberal.

The 2nd table is more practical, as it takes voltage drop into account. Note that for a short run, #18 will carry 30A.

As an example, car headlights are 60 watts each, (5A), both are 10A, yet they're fed with a single #18 wire from the headlight switch, ~10 ft away.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Re-wire

Yes the 2nd table is what I have been going by, I realize I didn't discriminate between the 2 tables other then the name. I honestly didn't know to much about the first table myself so I didn't bother with it. Thanks for pointing that out Wire2. I am thinking about making a table like that to go on my site, it's a handy thing to have.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: Re-wire

Yes the 2nd table is what I have been going by, I realize I didn't discriminate between the 2 tables other then the name. I honestly didn't know to much about the first table myself so I didn't bother with it. Thanks for pointing that out Wire2. I am thinking about making a table like that to go on my site, it's a handy thing to have.

Here I'll save you the trouble. This is a screen capture from ABYC Std. 11 appendix X that lists the 3% voltage drop over distance for various loads.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/KnottyBuoyz/tablex.jpg

You can also use a small calculator from Alden Trull called WireSizer, it'll do the math for you.

http://www.midcoast.com/~aft/index2.html

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Re-wire

I drew one up last night KnottyBuoyz, but I do like that table you posted but it doen't show watts though. I saved it. I can't fit the one I drew up were I want it on my website but I got it on there in a different area. I'll half to look into that wire sizer deal also.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Re-wire

Hey I wouldn't even begin to think about using anything but marine wire, someone said something about using auto stuff and trying to seal it .

Don't bother if it needs fixing do it right. The amount of extra money spent is real small.

Use shrink conectors and dielectic grease, also don't forget wire loom and tie straps to secure it.

If you have a boat that doesn't include a cabin with house systems your only talking about a little money and what good is your wiring if it doesn't work?

Also think about splurging on marine breakers instead of fuses.

 

[eedwards]

Re: Re-wire

Hey I wouldn't even begin to think about using anything but marine wire, someone said something about using auto stuff and trying to seal it .

Don't bother if it needs fixing do it right. The amount of extra money spent is real small.

Use shrink connectors and dielectic grease, also don't forget wire loom and tie straps to secure it.

If you have a boat that doesn't include a cabin with house systems your only talking about a little money and what good is your wiring if it doesn't work?

Also think about splurging on marine breakers instead of fuses.

I was thinking of breakers but i wanted to put all the switch's on one panel.