small boat wiring

[BFG]

Greetings all! Just bought my first boat, a duck rig (14' Meyers SuperPro w/ 20hp Merc) and would like to wire the bow and transom lights to a Lawnmower-type battery. I have a stainless battery box mounted on the inside of the transom. <br /><br />I know very little about wiring, switches, etc. The sole purpose of the battery will be for lighting only, and on most trips, less than an hour at a time. At current, each light is wired independently, and the previous owner just used alligator clips to the terminals. Seems messy and problematic. I'm looking for the cleanest and most efficient way to make this happen. <br /><br />I apologize for my ignorance here, but I thought I'd be best served by asking those that would know!<br /><br />Thanks in advance,<br /><br /><br />BFG

 

[navigator336]

Re: small boat wiring

Run a separate two lead cable to each. I suggest you spend the extra money and use marine grade wire (16 gauge will be fine). On marine grade wire the individual strands are tinned so they don't corrode in the presence of water. Use quality butt spices with the built in adhesive heat shrink insulation around them (again marine) to connect the two lead cables to the lights. At the battery, connect both negative leads (black for 12 volt DC) to the negative battery terminal directly. Run the two positive (hot) leads (red) to one side of a switch of your choosing (waterproofed in some manner). It can be an SPST (single pole single throw - single circuit, on-off)which is the simplest. The other side of the switch will go to the positive terminal on the battery.

 

[Laddies]

Re: small boat wiring

You need to fuse any + wire at the battery

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: small boat wiring

For a simple 2 light setup and you having no one to guide you. Leave the Alligator clips alone. If you can get some who knows how to wire it up with a fuse and a switch, then do the changes. For now , leave it, as is.

 

[maperi]

Re: small boat wiring

BFG<br /><br />Have the same set-up in my boat.<br /><br />1. Connect positive battery terminal to a water proof fuse holder (and about a 10A fuse) via some battery cable.<br />2. Connect fuse holder via more cable to 1 side of a switch <br />3. Connect 2 cables to the other side of the switch and then run them to each of the +ve terminals on the lights.<br />4. Run a cable from each negative light terminal back to the negative on the battery.<br /><br />Easy.<br /><br />Some points to take into account are:<br />*Try to use marine cable, waterproof fuse holder and switch<br />*Lights dont draw large currents so a 10a fuse will prob do - make sure the switch is also at least 10A rated<br />*The shorter the cable the more efficient the system will be<br />*Cables should be able to handle sufficient current <br />*If you use a vairable resistor/potentiometer in circuit after switch you can dim the lights

 

[Silvertip]

Re: small boat wiring

The only problem with these recommendations is both the bow and stern lights will be on simultanously. When at anchor (as in night fishing) only the stern light is to be lit. Probably no big deal on small fresh water lakes, but if you are in a heavy traffic area at night, you may get a visit from the "water police". The simplest solution to this would be to add another switch in the line going to the bow light so it could be turned off when at anchor.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: small boat wiring

Actually ,legaly the running and anchor light may be on at the same time. USCG regs. And the drunks might see the extra lights and swerve at the last second. I leave everthing on including all dash and deck lights. The fish like lights.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: small boat wiring

Yes -- they may be on at the same time if you are under way. Having your bow lights on when at anchor indicates that you are under way and may have right of way therefore confusing the operator of other vessel(s). Is that not the reason the light switch is labeled NAV and ANCHOR?

 

[18rabbit]

Re: small boat wiring

For small boats (the things we have) UpInSmoke is correct. At anchor only the all-around white, anchor light is allowed and required. While underway the addition of the red and green nav lights are required. And as Up mentioned, it has everything to do with determining vessel movement and move-ablility. A vessel at anchor has right of way where a vessel at anchor with other nav lights visible may be seen as not having the right of way and be forced into a position of having to move when moving isn’t possible. The COLREGS prohibit the display of any lights on a vessel that can be confused with the appropriate display of the vessel’s nav lights, i.e. the red and green lights must be off when at anchor.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: small boat wiring

Tell that to all yachts and cruise ships. They run all lights at all times of any colors. REALLY! Do you cower in the dark on a 80 foot boat all night with only a single white anchor light on? Get real.--------Who will see a tiny anchor light in a port with lots of lights on at night. My common sense is better then a dangerous suggestion.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: small boat wiring

If you read the legalize of the Inland rules you will find the opening statement of " The right of way is conferred to no one." And that suggested ways of maneuvering have been established.--------------It is a cop out of hard and fast rules.

 

[roscoe]

Re: small boat wiring

Personally, I would not put a battery in a steel box. If something, like a wrench, would ground out the terminal(s) to the box, you will have problems.<br />Get a plastic (non conductive) battery box. You can get them with switches and external connections already installed.<br /><br />Or, for the kind of use you are talking about, replace the lights with the new LED type, they use much less power. A flashlight battery should last the entire season.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: small boat wiring

To really eliminate shorts across any batteries posts, go to a auto junk yard and get the red and black battery post covers. Good ones are the stretchy rubber ones.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: small boat wiring

Below is link to the rules for navigation. Whether or not you abide by them is up to you. Part C deals with lighting. One point of clarification regarding "other" lights. No one indicated that nav or anchor lights are the "only" lights that can be displayed under way or at anchor. Obviously every vessel has other lighting that may be on at night. Fact is however, the masthead light is the highest of those. Otherwise the stern light is sufficient if its the highest point on the boat which is the vessel 90% of us are talking about.<br /><br /> http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/download.htm

 

[Silvertip]

Re: small boat wiring

Below is link to the rules for navigation. Whether or not you abide by them is up to you. Part C deals with lighting. One point of clarification regarding "other" lights. No one indicated that nav or anchor lights are the "only" lights that can be displayed under way or at anchor. Obviously every vessel has other lighting that may be on at night. Fact is however, the masthead light is the highest of those. Otherwise the stern light is sufficient if its the highest point on the boat which is the vessel 90% of us are talking about.<br /><br /> http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/download.htm

 

[backyard mechanic]

Re: small boat wiring

Now now... lets not get testy here... If the situation were drawn down to technicalities and it were to come up in court, what is going to be the "gold standard"? Your COLREGS. Any questions on them ask the CG inspections office nearest you.

As far as your battery hook up; It's always better to do it right the first time. Put your battery in a non conductive box, strap it down properly, use proper wire guage and di-electric silicone connectors. provide in line fuses to protect the mishaps of "metal getting across/into the wrong places" and use a three position NAV/OFF/ANC lite switch to show when underway or at anchor. (I suggest LED lights as they take a very small draw). Just be sure they can be seen at the proper distances (Brightness/distance regs are in the COLREGS too).

Finally and most importantly, the failure to post a look out does not matter if/when the BIG boats come barreling down at you. A collision at sea is/will be your worst nightmare. You MUST be attentive to the possibilities of "those not abiding by the rules". Nuff said???