wire mess

[BigMike8o9]

I just got into my wireing for my 23 ft WA. It's a 1987 I think. Anyone have adiagram that might help?
I started by taking out the wires for stuff that's gone, but still a mess.
BigMike

[rhody98]

I am sure there are others but I really think it is worth picking up Nigel Calder's Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual for your application. It explains in laymen's terms how and why to set up your DC circuitry so you understand what you are doing, not simply connecting the dots. It will help immensely with respect to wire sizing, proper marine connections and grounding techniques so you do it right the first time. I consider myself a laymen and it helped me gain confidence on DC circuits for a boat. Also, I am much more comfortable troubleshooting. It is for sail and power, like I said I am sure there are others, this just happens to be the one I am familiar with.

[BigLew]

Nigel's is about the best I've seen. More detail on the how and why than you might want to know, but after you learn what it is you are going to have to do and what you need to do to accomplish it, you'll also be able to understand WHY you did it that way and HOW you did it avoids the problems so many other boaters have just doing an instalation "point-to-point." You'll understand what you did and why you did it that way and how it works so well when done right.

And another thing, your friends will take you out on their boat when yours is in for repair. That is after you help them diagnose their problem and suggest the things to look out for when they have a "pro" charge them for the job.

[McGillicuddy]

Ditto what Rhody and Big Lew said. Calder's book is the best. I also picked up Ed Sherman's book "Powerboater’s Guide to Electrical Systems" which is also solid and maybe easier to grasp. It's available in the public library in San Diego County.

I made a schematic when I rewired mine.
If I can get a good image of it, I could probably e-mail it to you.

I pulled every thing except the ignition, fuel and tach wires.

I'm using the old switches for now, but every thing has fresh wire 16ga or bigger and all tinned Ancor wire w/adhesive lined heat shrink terminals. GenuineDealz.com is the best source for wire and terminals. Get a decent ratcheting style crimping tool and don't even mess with terminals from Home Depot and such. They are all weak.

Take a look at Blue Sea Systems for battery switches and acrs, fuse blocks, bus bars and distribution panels. Good stuff and great technical support. Their website is a great source of info, too.

[Islandtrader]

Check this link out. It gets you going in the right direction.

Boat Wiring

The book... Understanding Boat Wiring...by John Payne is good and inexpensive.

[Ryank]

You mean I shouldn't have used automotive speaker wire to wire my entire boat? That clear stuff really looks cool goint to the starter and batteries.
Still can't figure out where the burning smell is coming from LOL j/k one thing that was amazing was how small a wire gauge the windless required and said not to use anything larger. Kind of scary but I follow directions.

[hermco]

Pull it all out and begin from scratch is my advice. Believe me you will save a lot of time and headaches.

[BigMike8o9]

Hey Don, I think that's about right. The insulation is cracked from age and heat i guess. I will replace it all. Thanks for the advice from all. The wire color codes was great.
Mike

[Dilligaf]

anyone got a good source for buying wireing? im in the midst of rewireing mine... prolly pulled 200ft of unused wire not terminated and some still hot.. yikes

[McGillicuddy]

www.GenuineDealz.com
they'll even assemble them for 99 cents per terminal end. strip crimp and heatshrink if you buy that...