Wire securing

[Locke N Load]

Hey all,

Another topic on my mind while it is still winter and I have not got back to my project is wiring, specifically where to run them.

I can see how movement is bad and wires need to be secured. Easy enough when you are going from a battery switch to a panel or some other relatively short distance, but what about the battery cables from the motor to the batteries when they are stored approximately 12 feet away? My house and starting batteries will be stored under the floor in the cabin. I have a nice secure pad for them. I had planned to run the cables through the vinyl gutter downspouts I used to increase the stringer heights. Now I am not so sure since how will I be able to secure the cables inside the tubes? I figure it will be about 8 feet of inaccessible space.

Will securing the cables at each end be enough to keep them from moving while trailering and on the water? I can see how over such a distance they will be bouncing around some and creating a fatigue point at each securing point.

The other option I am thinking is run them along under the gunnels where there is easy access to secure them every foot or so. The overall length of the cables will have to be more since instead of a nearly straight shot there will be horizontal and vertical stretches as well, but upping a gauge is not a concern.

It is not just the battery cables, but also the engine rigging, steering cables, transducer wire, trim tab wires, stern light and maybe more I am not thinking of right now that will need to run to the stern. I had planned to use both starboard stringer height increasing tubes figuring the 2"x3" space from both would be adequate. They go right to the helm. Will under the starboard gunnel provide enough room for everything? I suppose getting in there and seeing is the only real way to tell. It would still be slick and completely out of view since there is the nice stretch of gunnel drop from the helm to the stern and then the rear seating I made creates a big open space for making turns to the transom and motor well.

Thanks

[Xcomunic8d]

This is part of why the tube under the gunnel is so attractive to many guys on the Seafari (25 in my case). So here’s how I’ve seen it done in various places. I’m ignoring the rats nests I’ve seen on boats locally.

In my rigging tube, I’m bundling all my dc wires (no ac in my boat but they would be separate), steering and controls will be a separate bundle in same tube and secured using appropriate connectors. I’m still fine tuning my plan for the fish finder and other things where I want to avoid noise (electrical interference) on the line. Do they need shielded a separate run. I have to review the manual. Also my engine controller and gauges.

I’d be most concerned about avoiding hard 90 degree edges. Tube edges, bulkheads, etc. I’d round those edges and add some kind of padding (electrical tape, rubber grommet, bulkhead protector, silicone, padding and securing at each end of bend, lots of ways to do this). As far as securing them. I’d wrap them together with your preferred method (zip ties or electrical tape). I use mostly electrical tape the good 3m stuff not cheap stuff and use lots of it. Although zip ties are a close second depending on where it is. Electrical tape gives padding. Zip ties are quicker and cleaner looking. Black zips are more durable in my experience and they have pads that adhere and hold them. There lots of tools like plastic dipped connectors, rubber connectors, screw type zip ties. I haven’t used Velcro as it holds water against the cable but know lots of guys who do that.

Batt Cable Size:
so what’s the amps your alt (or stator) can produce? Is that 12’ a single direction or both? If both we will need to double it to be 24’? I’d recommend factoring on a 3% drop vs 10%.

I’m guessing 2awg wire but may need a bigger gauge depending on values we need to tell you exactly. In the long run wire is cheap insurance for safety and life of ownership.

Charts for this and instructions on handling wire install are available in this book. I highly recommend it. Ch 4 covers most if not all your questions.

https://www.amazon.com/Powerboaters-...6341776&sr=8-1

[bumpdraft]

Not a fan of gobs of tape. Much more easy to replace or add a wire with flexible split conduit. Add a few zip ties and done. As far as the battery cables, I would go with the direct route. My cables that were 21 years old looked almost like new when I recently sold motor and controls.

[dirtwheelsfl]

Dont secure anything to any other thing inside the tube or youll have to pull everything out to change anything. Under the gunnel makes sense on a side console but will get tight with rodholders.

Sternrider (officially called Pak n Play) has a 4" halfround conduit under the gunnel and i run everything thru it with room to spare.

Dont overthink it!

[Locke N Load]

I am 100% guilty of overthinking things. My first time doing all of this so I am trying to avoid dumb mistakes that could have been avoided by asking a quick question. If the collective experience and knowledge of CSC says to go through the tubes and not worry about not having anything securing the cables and wires inside the 8 foot run then I will not. Thanks again as always!

[wattaway2]

as a electrician — never put a wire tie or tape wires in a pipe or wire way were it cannot be reached! there will be a time when you will need to add something? I would strongly advise installing a pull string to add that wire for when it comes and also replacing i tech time it is used

[Xcomunic8d]

Originally Posted by wattaway2

as a electrician — never put a wire tie or tape wires in a pipe or wire way were it cannot be reached! there will be a time when you will need to add something? I would strongly advise installing a pull string to add that wire for when it comes and also replacing i tech time it is used

what this man said. I have 2 pull strings and a fish.
Pro tip- use a vacuum and a rag with string attached to suck it through the tube.

i have enough wadded up to pull it back and forth multiple times... or you can replace as mentioned above.