Ripping out wiring

[bsh21wash]

Hi guys Im new to this boating thing and have searched around and havent really found the answer im looking for. So here goes, I just bought a 16 ft riveria, tach doesnt work, speedo doesnt work..ect I just want to rip out all the wiring and gauges and replace it with new. I know you need a fuse box and bus bar. The qusestion is what wires go to what? a main neg and pos from the battery to the fuse box, and then all the little wires to that? Im way confused. Do you need both a neg and pos bus bar? I wish there was a diagram somewhere with detailed pics. Thanks -Brian

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Before you start ripping out wires, note where they are coming from such as pos from battery, Ground, pos from key on. The tach will have a seperate sending wire from either the control or the motor. some of the wiring could be instrument lighting. If you buy new gauges, the wiring instructions are included. Thespeedo might not be electric. they are usually hooked to a pitot tube and measure water pressure as you move through the water. Other speedos have a paddle wheel. But whatever gauges you go with, the instructions are preety clear and easy to follow.

 

[--GQ--]

Re: Ripping out wiring

If you need "Electrical Diagram " and the sequence where things go, I can probably draw something up for you. Give us a list of your electronic gadgets.

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Speedo, tach, gas, bow light , stern light , light switch, horn switch thanks for the help

 

[--GQ--]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Simple diagrams for small boat two batteries wiring. Bigger boat maybe a bit more complex. Just follow the Line Ladder Logic and you can't go wrong. You may want to use color coded wires for your set up. <br /><br />Normally the bilge pump positive wire goes directly to the battery. The way I have in the drawing it's much simpler. Plus you have double protection.<br /><br />Put our positive Bus Bar and negative Bus Bar under the control panel and feed them with # 10 wires. The more devices you add on, the bigger the wire. for your set-up a # 10 is good.<br /><br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

 

[SiggiJo]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Brian - there is a good book called the "12 Volt Bible" - you can buy it on the net from the likes of Amazon etc. <br />But GQs excellent diagram will probably fix you up nicely - it´s about the same setup I have on my boat. The pitot tube hookup goes to the speedo though - not the tach. Tach get´s its electrical signal from the gray wire in the control box.

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Im still really confused? What is the switch bank and selector switch? right now i just have a fuse box and wire

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ripping out wiring

There are many different varieties of a switch bank and a selector switch, here are examples of one type - <br /><br /> selector switch (battery isolator)<br /><br /> gang switch panel

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Alright so im starting to get it... today i ran the + to the fuse box and ran the horn,bow light off it...so far thats all i got. i also spliced in a 30 amp inline fuse by the battery. So should i get a bus bar to run the neg wires? also whats the point of the switch selector? Plan on wiring in a cig lighter adapter to plug stuff in. Do you recommend two batterys?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Need to establish how many amps you need and how many you can supply. <br /><br />What engine are you running?<br /><br />What is the main usage of the boat (skiing, trolling, fishing with motor off etc)?

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: Ripping out wiring

I dont have a engine on it yet, but its going to be used for skiing. Also on the horn button and light switch, Do i just run the power from the horn to the swtich on one prong and on the other prong power to the fuse box? So two + wires going to the switch.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ripping out wiring

I think you will be fine with one battery.<br /><br />A selector switch can perform a few things - It allows you to chose which battery to use (when you have more than one) and it allows you to disconnect the battery. Most have a key that allows you to turn the power off when the boat is left unattended.<br /><br />What type of fuse box did you get, is the the type similar to my pic (with built in switches)?

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: Ripping out wiring

I didnt see any pic, I bought a blue seas 6 prong. On the horn and light switch what wires run to it?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Is this what you have..................?<br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />The way you need to wire your boat depends on what type of panel you have, for example, this one is a switch panel/fuse box/buss bar all in one.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Originally posted by bsh21wash:<br /> Also on the horn button and light switch, Do i just run the power from the horn to the swtich on one prong and on the other prong power to the fuse box? So two + wires going to the switch.

Yep. And the ground wire going directly to the horn.<br /><br />Some horns are not insulated, is your boat aluminum?

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Thats not the type of fuse box I have. The boat is fiberglass.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ripping out wiring

So, do I need to keep guessing or are you going to tell me what type you have?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Ripping out wiring

I went through this about a year ago. I have a 30 amp. inline fuse in a 12 ga. wire going from the + on the battery to the Blue Seas box nearby. I have a 12 ga. wire from the - on the battery to a bus-bar, which happens to be in the Blue Seas box. Every device has a ground going back to that bus-bar. Every device, or like devices, are on a 15 amp. circuit. One for running lights, one for spotlight, one for horn, etc. The hot wire leaves the fuse in the Blue Seas, goes to appropiate switch at the helm, then on to device.<br /><br />This is simplistic, but it worked for me.

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: Ripping out wiring

Like buoy said, I have the same one with the neg bus bar on it.