+12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

I am re-wiring my entire boat with new gauges and switches.I have an OMC remote control with power tilt.I saw the generic wiring diagram and it said to use the Ignition wire so my gauges are not always on.Well my ignition is inside the control box so how am i supposed to wire it that way?? Should i just wire it straight to the battery with a switch for gauges?

Re: +12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

Depends which remote you have. Is there a 3 pin plugin just below the key switch. If so, then you can get the cable that plugs into it which has purple, black, and grey wires. The purple wire provides 12v when the ignition is on, the black is ground, and the grey is tachometer. If your control does not have this connector, then inside the control you'll find these 3 wires tape off and ready to connect to.

Note: Purple wire can power your gauges, but not the gauge lights. Those would be connected through a fuse and switch to the battery. Also, purple wire is connected through an inline 20amp fuse on your motor.

-- Jeff

Re: +12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

The purple wire is indeed off the ignition switch and is the wire that feeds the +12V ("I" terminal) on the string of gauges. YOu do not have to break into the box to get to the switch. The purple wire should be hanging from the harness near the box. DO NOT connect any other accessories to that wire as they are not designed for that purpose. The BOAT HARNESS is the separate pair of wires that runs from the battery directly to the fuse panel 12 volt and ground buss.

Re: +12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

Silvertip said:

The purple wire is indeed off the ignition switch and is the wire that feeds the +12V ("I" terminal) on the string of gauges. YOu do not have to break into the box to get to the switch. The purple wire should be hanging from the harness near the box. DO NOT connect any other accessories to that wire as they are not designed for that purpose. The BOAT HARNESS is the separate pair of wires that runs from the battery directly to the fuse panel 12 volt and ground buss.

Click to expand...

Silvertip-I wanted to make sure i understood you correctly,below the keyswitch on the control i have a female three pin plug to which i have the coresponding cable with grey,black, and purple. The grey and black wires are wired to some king of little 2X2 grey box to which i have no idea what it is.Maybe a buzzer??

Re: +12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

I have no idea what that is. That three pin terminal is the OMC tach connection. The alarm horn is built into the control box. I guess the way to find out what the box is for is to disconnect it and see what doesn't work. Do you get a key-on beep at startup? What year and HP engine do you have?

Re: +12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

Here is a link to the wires in question and that little box http://photobucket.com/zarillus2009

The motor is 1989 Evinrude E110TLCEM with power T&T.So should i be looking at another purple wire coming out of the actual control itself?From your last statement that three pin connector is only for the tach correct?I appreciate the help on this

Re: +12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

Your link doesn't work. If you already have something plugged into the three pin receptacle you have a choice. Tap into the purple wire or find the pigtail from the harness. That wire feeds the +12 volt terminal on all of the gauges. 12 volts is wherever you find it. You don't need to use that specific receptacle.

Re: +12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

http://photobucket.com/zarillus2009

Sorry i reposted the link These pics may clear up some of my questions,I really want to use the purple wire out of the pigtail if i can rig one up so my gauges are not always on.

Re: +12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

I have no idea what the little box is for but since it appears to be wired somehow into the trim harness it may be associated with that but the way the wiring is butchered, it's hard to say. If you want to use the purple wire on the three prong plug go ahead. Are there any other instruments on this boat now? If so, you don't need to use that wire -- you get power from any of the other gauges since they are already powered from the ignition switch (or at least they should be).

Re: +12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

The "little box" appears to be a four-terminal device. The implication from the narrative is that power is applied to two of the wires. A reasonable inference is that power appears on the other two wires after passing through the device. The device may be intended to filter power. That is just a guess. It would be easier to deduce the purpose of the device if we could see what connects to the device. Otherwise any supposition is just a wild guess.

Re: +12v from the Ignition switch to gauges or BATT power??

silvertip-A little history i purchased the boat for $600.00 a 1967 Larson lapline 166,when i knew nothing about boats and thought i was getting a steal.Little did i know the transom was rotten stringers were soaked wet foam and the floor was soft. 2 years later and a ton of money i almost have a brand new boat.haha I am finally putting the final touches on it and re-wiring the whole thing.

The boat does not have any existing wiring at all.It was originally wired hot with no fuse protection anywhere!!! As far as gauges go it had an old amp gauge,fuel gauge and key switch with choke that was on the dash.It was completely outdated and unsafe.I could not even use the wiring to pattern after so i am basically starting from scratch.I should have taken pictures!! I have never seen so much speakerwire in my life used as primary wire!! It had an old 67 evinrude 85 hp as the motor and the harness but compltly burnt up.I got rid of the old dog and i am starting overIt was preety scary, I ripped all the old wiring out and threw it in the trash.
I basically need to re-wire the entire boat and was looking at http://easyacdc.com/ for there harness however the ignition wire tripped me up a little.Then when i saw the hacked together little grey box i was totally in the dark.As far as a diagram I am going to use your posted wiring diagram for my boat.