Understanding Wiring

[fishndvm]

My weakest point when it comes to all the fun I have tinkering with outboards is understanding the wiring and reading the wiring diagrams. Any suggestions on how I might improve my skills and my ability to read the diagrams? Any texts, manuals, videos, cdRoms etc. that anyone could suggest? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Understanding Wiring

To understand it all will take more than a video or DVD. You need to know the differences between AC and DC current, you have to understand diodes and what they do. You also have to understand ignition systems, and you could spend a week of intensive study and barely scratch the surface. Then there are the relays and solenoids, neutral safety switches, electric motors and alternators. It's a long list. Best advice I can give you is to pay attention to the color of the wires you're dealing with. Many manuals will tell which color does which function for a particular brand. That should be all the typical do-it-yourselfer needs to know. Knowing how to operate a multimeter is a big help.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Understanding Wiring

hello<br /> 1st rule is keep the smoke in and the rest is P F M .<br /> you may wish to take a basic electricity course at the local community college.<br /> electricity is similar to water in a pipe. a short is a leak in the pipe and lets the smoke out.<br /> a resistance is like a build up of scale or a blockage in the pipe. an open circuit is like a closed valve. no flow. a diode is similar to a check valve, current only flows one way. we wont get into reverse current leakage and such .<br /> the book I keep harping about will explain almost all you need to know about 12v wiring for the basics.

 

[fishndvm]

Re: Understanding Wiring

Thanks again. Hey rodbolt, what's the name of that book?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Understanding Wiring

Go to www.brokeboats.com. There is lots of outboard info.<br />Take your time and look around.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Understanding Wiring

hello<br /> its' motors auto engines and electrical systems.<br /> look on a post by seahorse and amazon.com has a few for sale.

 

[fishndvm]

Re: Understanding Wiring

Steelspike...what a great site. Thanks loads.

 

[fishndvm]

Re: Understanding Wiring

Rodbolt,<br /> Thanks for the reply. I missed it the first time. I'll look for a copy.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Understanding Wiring

Two other good books on boat wiring are<br /><br />The 12 Volt Bible for Boats<br /><br />and<br /><br />Boatowner's Illustrated Handbook of Wiring <br /><br />Type either title into Amazon.com for a description. They also have a package price if you buy both books.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Understanding Wiring

Always think of electrical wiring as a water pipe the + is the faucet and - as the drain it's a good rule for basic wireing also Radio Shack has many books on wiring.

 

[bernieb]

Re: Understanding Wiring

And to think Ben Franklin flying a kite in a storm with a key started all this madness. Maybe Rodbolt is about to make an amazing discovery !

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Understanding Wiring

Lots of very good advice here...hope no one minds me adding my 2 cents.<br />Find the diagrams you want IN COLOR.<br />sorry to yell.<br />get a copy of wire colors.... Red is positve,yellow/red is crank...,etc.<br /> Always remember you need battery positive,AND battery negative to any device for it to work.<br />too many forget the negative side of the battery.<br /><br />DHP