Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild
oh man, the chiefs looking great! Too bad us statecrafties are all over the place, a starcraft meetup on the water would be so much fun.
Thanks ct! Yeah, you're assuming that I'm actually going to have this thing in the water at some point
. I kid...I'm pretty close actually. I hear you, though...it would be cool to have a bunch of these restored/rebuilt SC's in one spot for a weekend. I bet you don't see too many running in salt water down by you. Up here there are a few more, but they're mostly big money new boats.
BTW, how's that triple working for you on your rig?
Ha, just finished scraping the other side.
Its not clear to me why there would be 2 sets of wires feeding the bow light. You can accomplish the stern+bow (moving) vs stern-only (anchored) with a single switch (DPDT: Double Pole, Double Throw) where the center position is Lights-off.
(I'm a little loopy from the Zip Strip fumes so if something is dorked in my powerpoint diagram above...that's probably why :lol: )
EDIT: I want to call your attention to the Purple stern light...
BF, thanks for the awesome diagram. I took the bow light apart, and both sets of wires are just on ring connectors to the two terminals. I think one set connected to the old masthead light, which had a forward white running light, and also an all-around anchor light. I just ran it straight to the switch, and, voila...even the 15+ year old bulb still works! I have rocker switches to spare, as I'm running most of my accessories right to the battery switch breaker, so I'm simply going to have a separate anchor light switch...I just have to remember to turn it on when the running lights are on.
I have to admit that I was kind of intimidated by the prospect of a complete wiring job, but by just using logic and taking one's time it's really not too bad. Plus, it's very gratifying when everything works on the first try.
For the curious or just very bored, here's my layout for the wiring, in verbal format (sorry, no fancy diagrams here):
Bilge pump: auto switch direct to battery, in-line 6 amp fuse. Manual override to rocker switch on panel.
Running (bow) lights: to panel switch, with jumper to gauge lights. I may add a compass light jumper from the tach as well. [off topic here, but I was psyched that the remote harness works with the teleflex tach, and that my rectifier is still good.]
Anchor/stern, mounted on windshield (36" for bimini clearance): to panel switch.
LED cockpit lighting (not installed yet): to panel switch.
VHF, 12v adapter, depth finder, horn: all straight to main switch breaker (40 amp auto reset), with the appropriate respective in-line fuses.
I'll post pics when I have everything zip-tied/secured/neatened up.
Thanks for stopping by, guys.
Let me know if anything sounds off in that wiring scheme...thanks.
