rewiring boat

[jeffmock]

Hey,<br />I hate to post twice in a row, but as I was getting ready to take the boat out last night, I noticed my bilge pump was not working. When I tried other switches on the helm the aerator pump did not work, no lights, etc. I found one blown fuse and replaced it, bilge pump works, nothing else. There is a history of electrical problems, fuel gauge, etc. There are what look like a thousand wires under the helm that go nowhere. There was at one time a stereo installed and then removed. Is there an easy way to rewire the whole boat? It has three gauges, df, tm, running lights, gauge lights, etc. pretty standard stuff. Any suggestions are appreciated.<br />Thanks <br />Jeff

 

[JB]

Re: rewiring boat

First suggestion: post Boat questions on the Boats Forum.<br /><br />I'll move this one for you.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[glass from the past]

Re: rewiring boat

Hey JR,<br /><br />Sounds like you got a problem on your hands, Have you looked for a new wiring harness? sounds like the controls have an issue more than say the running lights and bilge pump do. It would be a lot of work to rewire your whole boat. I have re-wired two boats, so my experience is limited, but I have done it both ways. I worked with what I got and wired around that on my Chrysler, due to the fact I wanted to get up n runnin ASAP. On my Jet sled, I tore everything out and re-ran about 200 ft of brand new wires, new switches, controls, gauges. So I would say the way to approach is this is to start with your timeline and wallet and go from there, 12 or 24 Volt systems are fairly easy to work with, but remember you got to be as meticulous as possible, you can't afford to have your bilge or running lights, or worse fail when it's off the trailer. I would say that the best thing to do would to salvage what you can starting with the fuse box, guages and switches. decide what you can keep and what is still connected and works fine. Then turn your attention to what does not work. First check and see if you can find a wiring harness that would suit your needs that may be a lot easier and cheaper if possible to use. If the problem is much bigger than a few feet of wire, your project just got huge. We need to know what kind of boat? 12 or 24 Volt? 1 battery or 2? MotorS, etc.

 

[Solittle]

Re: rewiring boat

Jeff - You must have a power to send your thoughts out to us. Earlier tonight I was in the garage putting my OMC shop manual and related papers away. On top of the pile of papers was a list of the BIA Wire Colors and you can link to it here:<br /><br /> http://www.brokeboats.com/biacolors.html <br /><br />I have the same problem with my boat. Under the console is a big bunch of wires of every color going every which way. I might tackle it but I am hesitant as most go through a way-to-small PVC pipe that runs under the deck. So I am going to try to troubleshoot what is there with my meter. I did make a 15' long or so set of test leads for the meter with aligator clips on each end for testing.<br /><br />Let us know what you end up doing & how it comes out.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: rewiring boat

Just cut it all out and rewire it. The work's not hard and it does't cost all that much to do. I've rewired a good bunch of them and rather enjoy the work to tell you the truth. The wire and fittings, along with some switches and other hardware will run you a couple of hundred bucks for a boat in the mid-20' range. You can do the work in a couple of days. Nothing to it really.<br /><br />Its just DC circuits, which is the height of simplicity. Draw up your own schematic first, and then update it as you do the actual instillation so that when you're done you have your own wireing diagram. The industry standards for color codeing really apply to engine spaces and some instruments. They don't tell you squat about in boat other than gray for lights, brown for pumps, and pink for fuel guages. Just make sure you make it all modular and make use of a single power supply point and grounding point for small boats. Like I said, nothing to it.<br /><br />Thom

 

[jeffmock]

Re: rewiring boat

Hey Guys,<br />Thanks J.B. I've been away for awhile. Guess I just got a little excited.<br />Thanks for the info and the ideas guys. I think I may try this. Could this "bad wiring" be causing problems like voltage leakage and causing the batteries to run down quickly? BTW this is a '87 VIP 17' Fish and Ski w/ a '87 Force 125.<br />Thanks again<br />Jeff

 

[crab bait]

Re: rewiring boat

crimp an solder everythin'..!! butts, stacons,forks,circles,ect.. use only bare or cut off the plastic insulators..<br /><br />if'n it's a screw term,,,tite down & solder it..!!<br /><br />use marine-tined wire only..protects from the 'greenies' traveling along conductor...

 

[glass from the past]

Re: rewiring boat

Hey Jeff,<br /><br />You bet, the two could be related. Starting to sound like starting from scratch is the best alternative. If you got a bad battery drain, you must have something crossed up within your wiring, and who knows what else going on. If you plan on holding on to this boat for a while, I would spend the time and money to re-wire the whole thing. I think you got a lot of good support here. I think ThomWV had a great idea, drawing up a schematic should be your first order of biz. Then figure out what you need as far as supplies and material. and like crabbait says solder it and cover it with heatshrink. Let us know what you need and keep us posted on the progress.