Wiring, request for help with.

[Wahoo!]

Hi everyone.
I have been doing several jobs on my Rib in preparation for spring. I bought her in September as a bit of a project. Some of the electronics are not working and the wiring inside the console is a birds nest of dodgy wiring.
I intend a complete rewire. Partly to tidy it all up and get everything working as it should, but also for peace of mind. Would anyone here be able to guide me through this task? Perhaps with a specific wiring diagram?

The electrical equipment list is as follows...

Rev counter gauge.
Temperature gauge for outboard.
Trim gauge (none of the gauges are currently wired for illumination but should be).
Compass (has a thin wire coiled up but not connected, presumably illumination?)
VHF radio, in dash.
12v power socket
Nav lights
Flood light
Fishfinder
Chart Plotter
Three switch panel marked:- Instruments, Nav. lights and on/off
6 way fuse board
Battery isolator switch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance

[jyasaki]

Rev counter, trim gauge, and Temp will all get their feed from the engine; not familiar with Merc harnesses, so I can't help there. Illum for gauges usually get wired up to same circuit as sidelights.

The compass wires are for a light; should be wired up to the same circuit as the nav lights (you shouldn't need to look at compass when sitting on the hook.)

I assume you want all your electronics on the same circuit, so they'd go back to the single switch (VHF/FF/chartplotter, and probably floodlight, assuming it has a separate on/off switch.) Make sure you fuse that circuit appropriately, or run each device through a separate appropriately sized fuse.

As to exactly how to wire up your system, it depends on a lot of factors: room for bussbars, proximity to battery(ies), etc. Sounds to me like you're going to be a little short on switches, though (that might just be me, though; I've got an 8 switch/fuse panel on my console.)

jky

[MI3GTO]

Don't run more than one system off one fuse, lose the fuse you lose the lot. Send me your email and I will talk to you further. George.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by MI3GTO

Don't run more than one system off one fuse, lose the fuse you lose the lot. Send me your email and I will talk to you further. George.

Seconded.

If you run any lighting from your electronics fuses a blown bulb can short and take the fuse out quite easily.

[Wahoo!]

Thanks for your responses so far guys, already some very useful info.
I've done a bit of 12v DC electrics on cars in the past and have decent DIY skills so think I can do this with some help and guidance along the way. Most of the kit including the 6 way fuse box is in the centre jockey console. I guess there is room inside for anything else thats required. My email address is ivorm@talktalk.net and I can send photos if that would help at all? To simplify things I intend running just one battery but will carry a spare inside the console and jump leads just in case the main one dies.
Thanks again for the help

[Nos4r2]

A good tip is make sure you can access everything easily once you've got it back together so you don't have to dismantle half the boat to change a wire etc-and make sure the fusebox is easily accessable.

If you can hand start the motor with a cord round the flywheel (try it-it's not that hard on a carbed motor), you really don't need a 2nd battery. If you really feel the need for one, it'd be easier to use a jump pack.

[captnjack]

Why the spare battery? That's alot of weight for a part which generally is not the reason you're stuck at sea (bad fuel is the #1 reason)

[Dr Doof]

Power Monkey.. small, easy to use and easy to carry.

[Wahoo!]

Originally Posted by captnjack

Why the spare battery? That's alot of weight for a part which generally is not the reason you're stuck at sea (bad fuel is the #1 reason)

I'm probably a bit twitchy because a flat battery cost me £130 last August bank holiday (to be 'rescued')

Maybe a voltmeter would be an idea? at least it would help me monitor battery condition and give me peace of mind

[captnjack]

Why not pull start your engine? 90hp is do-able