Review my electrical schematic plan - can it be simplified? (rewiring a boat)

[ShawnQ]

Boat is 17' center console, plain as can be.

There is one rigging tube running from transom area to the console with plenty of room in it.

Current equipment:
-Nav Lights
-Horn
-Bilge pump

Future Equipment Plans
-GPS/Depthfinder combo
-VHF Radio
-LED Courtesy Lights
-Possibly a baitwell pump

Planning to use the following supplies:
-5025 BlueSea Fuse Block with '-' bus
-12awg tinned marine wire for lights, horn, and bilge pump
-6 or 8awg tinned marine wire to supply power from battery to 5025 BlueSea fuse block
-adhesive lined heat-shrink on all connections
-heat shrink terminals
-possibly a single Perko battery switch

Notes:

Longest wire run will be from the all-around white light on the outboard to the console, and the bilge pump to the console. Should I upgrade the size of the wire for the bilge pump?

Please see attached schematic - I'm open for any ideas to simplify it. I'd rather not use inline fuses, unless you think it's less prone to having issues. I understand that using the fuse block will create 2 extra terminal connections on each wire, which may not be needed if I buy pre-built in line fuse wiring...but I'd rather not.

Thanks in advance,
Shawn

 

[Bondo]

Re: Review my electrical schematic plan - can it be simplified? (rewiring a boat)

Ayuh,.... Yer choice of wire gage is Way bigger than needed....

14ga. is plenty big enough for all yer loads... even it is overkill....
Yer run to the junction block, from the battery is also Too heavy,... 10ga is Plenty...

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: Review my electrical schematic plan - can it be simplified? (rewiring a boat)

Bond-o,

I appreciate the response!

Everything else look ok?

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: Review my electrical schematic plan - can it be simplified? (rewiring a boat)

What size fuse should I put in-line between the battery and the fuse block?

Any part number recommendations for a fuse holder?

Thanks,
Shawn

 

[Don S]

Re: Review my electrical schematic plan - can it be simplified? (rewiring a boat)

Fuses are sized by the size of the wire between the fuse and what ever it's powering. If you use 14 gauge wire, you need a 15 amp fuse.
As far as the size wire you need, that depends on what you are powering. No use using 12ga. wire suitable for 20A when all you are powering running lights that only take 6 amps to operate. 16Ga would work fine.

What is the charging output of your motor? and the power of all the accessories you could use at one time? Is either of 30A? If not, 10Ga wire from battery to helm would be fine.

You should probably buy a book on 12V boat wiring and understand ALL that is involved with wiring a boat. The money you will save from using all that 6,8, and 12 ga wire will pay for the book.

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: Review my electrical schematic plan - can it be simplified? (rewiring a boat)

Don,

I apologize - I know better than to ask for specific answers regarding voltage. The reason for using the oversized wire is because I have it laying around from a past project.

I can size the correct fuse once I add all of my loads up...I just need to do it. The only issue is I don't yet have a VHF or a GPS/Depthfinder.

Any recommendation on a good water-proof in line fuse holder?

Thanks,
Shawn

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Review my electrical schematic plan - can it be simplified? (rewiring a boat)

Love the drawing. Great detail.

Fuse size - as long as the wire is heavy enough to handle the total load, size the fuse a bit bigger than that, but not bigger than the wire rating. Remember, some devices, like things with motors (pump) pull more current at start up. Include this in your total. Most manufacturers will state start up amps for those products that do pull more.