Aqua Patio wiring diagram - problem with master/accessory/ignition

[jamin690]

Hell All,

Well, I just got my first pontoon boat and I am sure its going to be a more pleasurable experience than our jetboat.

I purchased a neglected 2003 Aqua Patio 220DF from a neighbor. It has needed attention just about everywhere but currently I am trying to get the wiring in the helm properly setup. There seemed to be some circuit breakers that were bad and I was told they had attempted to replace them in the past. I have bought new ones and installed them with the same wires that were on the previous ones, but currently you do not need the master switch on to turn the engine over, the master switch does not light up (give power too) all the rest of the goodies (stereo/decklights/docking lights..etc).

The old owner did not have a owners manual and I think some of this may need to be double checked ...ohh, I forgot to mention that the safety lanyard does not need to be attached to turn the engine over either. This boat was left uncovered for 2 years and the work that was done by the owner was minimal. The condition is not horrible as far as the wiring, I think some things have been bypassed in attempts to rig the boat to get around replacing circuits or fuses in the past.

Any help is apreciated.

-Ben

[EGlideRider]

You won't find a wiring diagram for that boat but troubleshooting the electrical circuits is relatively simple with a little knowledge of DC electricity.

With all due respect, reading between the lines of you post indicates you may not have those skills. If my guess is right, then I suggest you seek the services of a qualified boat technician to make sure your boat is electrically safe on the water.

Welcome to the forum and keep us posted of your project.

[Silvertip]

You refer to a MASTER switch. Do you mean a small toggle switch on the console or do you mean a large rotary type switch back at the battery? If you mean the small switch on the console, that switch controls ONLY the smaller accessories such as lights, fish finders, live well pumps etc., that are powered via the fuse panel. Be aware that there are two electrical systems on a boat, including your pontoon. The engine system gets power via the large battery cables. The harness that runs from the engine up to the control box at the helm powers the instruments. There should be a smaller pair (red & black) of wires (#8 or 10 gauge) running from the battery to the fuse panel at the console. All other accessories get powered via that circuit. There is typically a 20 or 30 amp fuse or breaker in the red lead at or very near the battery. Look at the "Generic Boat Wiring Diagram" in the stickies at the very top of this forum. It covers the vast majority of small recreational boats and pontoons. Wire colors used were for visibility and may not match what you have.

The kill switch lanyard has nothing to do with the starter. It kills the ignition system to stop the engine. The starter does have a neutral safety switch in the control box to prevent starting the engine with the controls set to forward or reverse.

[jamin690]

Thank you both for the input, Your right Egliderider, I am not quite schooled on this sort of DC setup as my last boat to work on didn't have so many devices (seadoo jetboat). Today was a success though, managed to get the engine running well and cruised. Thank you Silvertip for the leads and I will use the simple diagram, along with the color chart I have from godfrey to understand what needs to be where. About the master, there is a rotary switch next to a 5A circuit breaker (this I replaced, but no other devices come on, just engine, hours and volt meter). The engine DOES require the safety lanyard today and the engine setup including choke seem all good. I am hoping that a wire or 2 are not connected properly behind the 3 breakers and ignition/lanyard set that should provide power to the rest of the electrical system.

[jamin690]

Quick note, I have three breakers on the right (master, docking lights, nav lights) and 6 on the left (horn, stereo, deck lights, 2 accessories) I believe the problem is where we were working on the right side with the master, I am hopeful the simple diagram will help.

[EGlideRider]

Perhaps you did not understand Silvertip's explanation of the safety lanyard. The lanyard controls a switch to disables the ignition circuitry when removed. It has no effect on the key operating the starter. With the lanyard removed, the motor turn over but no electricity is available to the ignition circuitry.

There are lots of info on electricity available on the internet. Learn to use a volt/ohm meter and it will save you lots of money and time by not replacing functional breakers, fuses, switches and bulbs.

[BatDaddy1887]

...as requested......

InstrumentPanelWiring2.jpg

Dual_battery.jpg

NavSwitchWiring.jpg

Wiring.jpg

Circuit6.jpg

[katman819]

Great info BatDaddy. Will help anyone interested in knowing how their boat is wired.