Rewiring

ASHDELL · 18 February 2001, 18:24

I am about to rewire my Ribcraft 5.85 after having a new Evinrude 115 Ficht fitted .

I need to run a cable to the A frame for Nav lights work light and 2 bilge pumps can I use 7 core trailer lighting cable o cut the number of wires under the deck ?

If not what sort of cable should I use ?

Anyone know wher I can get waterproof switches ,all the chandlers seem to have stuff aimed at the gin palace market not much good for our wet boats!

Any help or advice welcome.

Thanks

Alan Mckewan · 19 February 2001, 12:10

7 core trailer cable is fine for A frame stuff, provided you dont use it to feed spotlights totalling more than 100 watts. If you try to feed more than 10 amp continuous down one core (or back up one earth core) you will see the lights "dimmer" than they should be and the cable will get warm!
The only switches I have found to last fairly well are "standard" toggle switches rated at 10 amps or more fitted with rubber screw-on waterproof "boots". You can get them from Maplin electronics. The flat rocker-type switches corrode inside after about 2 years max. Also advise you solder and heatshrink the connections at the bottom of the A frame as the crimp connectors corode too quickly at this point.

jace · 23 February 2001, 16:56

Carling waterproof switches are the only ones I have found last the test of time. You should be able to buy them at a local chandler. If not try a company called Index Marine in Bournemouth (Not sure whether there trade only thou)