rewiring boat

Discussion and advise about the purchase, care, maintenance and operation of boats

Moderators: JimC, jw

Message
Author
User avatar
g agus t
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 87
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:39 pm
Favourite Fish: blue shark cod
Location: cork

rewiring boat

#1 Post by g agus t »

has anyone ever rewired a boat here. it appears all the wiring on her is of the auto type....not the tinned type for marine use and its begining to decay. i would like to know what size wire from battery to panel and panel to electronics, lighting etc. i have an orkney fastliner (19ft).

thanks
shiver me timbers
User avatar
twinkle
SAI Megalodon!
Posts: 1490
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:07 pm

Re: rewiring boat

#2 Post by twinkle »

was wondering why there was no night time cod reports :lol:
User avatar
Cluais
SAI Hammerhead
Posts: 267
Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 1:11 pm
Favourite Rod: 6-12lb powerstix
Favourite Reel: Abu 7000i
Favourite Fish: Cod
Location: Munster

Re: rewiring boat

#3 Post by Cluais »

Hi Tom if you want you can take a look at mine it's on the trailer at the moment...
Cork hill area
Warrior 175 (Orca)
User avatar
JimC
Moderator
Posts: 3083
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2003 5:18 pm
Location: Cork

Re: rewiring boat

#4 Post by JimC »

Cluais wrote:Hi Tom if you want you can take a look at mine it's on the trailer at the moment...
Cork hill area
Good stuff!
Mines in Glanmire if you need a second opinion :D
User avatar
MAC
SAC Treasurer
Posts: 4331
Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:47 pm
Location: Too far from Water

Re: rewiring boat

#5 Post by MAC »

If your Battery is in the back of the Boat and your running the standard set of electronics (Fish Finder, GPS & VHF), 8mm wire from the Battery to your switch panel should be plenty. I've seen standard house hold electrical cable used. Copper wire should be fine if you put some solder over the exposed end before you crimp. After you connect the cable to the battery, apply a film of Vaseline to help keep oxidation on the terminal and cable to a minimum...

Kev
><º> ><º>

><º>
User avatar
g agus t
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 87
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:39 pm
Favourite Fish: blue shark cod
Location: cork

Re: rewiring boat

#6 Post by g agus t »

MAC wrote:If your Battery is in the back of the Boat and your running the standard set of electronics (Fish Finder, GPS & VHF), 8mm wire from the Battery to your switch panel should be plenty. I've seen standard house hold electrical cable used. Copper wire should be fine if you put some solder over the exposed end before you crimp. After you connect the cable to the battery, apply a film of Vaseline to help keep oxidation on the terminal and cable to a minimum...

Kev
thanks for that kev I will look further into it. Ive heard of a formula that works out the size. It also considers the length of wiring which can be very important as the longer it is the more volts are lost.
shiver me timbers
User avatar
MAC
SAC Treasurer
Posts: 4331
Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:47 pm
Location: Too far from Water

Re: rewiring boat

#7 Post by MAC »

Unless you are looking to move your battery forward, you'll be fine with 8mm. To be honest 6mm would be fine as well & as I mentioned earler I've seen 3.5mm household stuff used. No need to bother rersearching unless your taking the time to move your battery Forward. Then you'll be looking at 25mm cable as the starter has a much higher current draw from the battery and you need to make sure there is no voltage or current drop accross the cable.

I use 8mm copper cable and have had no issues at all over the 2 years I've been using it.
http://www.sea-angling-ireland.org/bull ... lit=Raider


Kev
><º> ><º>

><º>
User avatar
g agus t
SAI Bait Ball
Posts: 87
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:39 pm
Favourite Fish: blue shark cod
Location: cork

Re: rewiring boat

#8 Post by g agus t »

MAC wrote:Unless you are looking to move your battery forward, you'll be fine with 8mm. To be honest 6mm would be fine as well & as I mentioned earler I've seen 3.5mm household stuff used. No need to bother rersearching unless your taking the time to move your battery Forward. Then you'll be looking at 25mm cable as the starter has a much higher current draw from the battery and you need to make sure there is no voltage or current drop accross the cable.

I use 8mm copper cable and have had no issues at all over the 2 years I've been using it.
http://www.sea-angling-ireland.org/bull ... lit=Raider


Kev
hi kev,
thanks for that. while looking on the net i came across two interesting articles. i thought i might share them for those who might be doing a little electrical work.

http://yachtpals.com/marine-electrical-9162
(read all the article)



http://www.solar-wind.co.uk/cable-sizing-DC-cables.html
shiver me timbers
User avatar
MAC
SAC Treasurer
Posts: 4331
Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:47 pm
Location: Too far from Water

Re: rewiring boat

#9 Post by MAC »

excellent links...
><º> ><º>

><º>

Return to “Boat Maintenance, Equipment & Tips”