72 Thunderbird Formula w/twin 165hp Mercs

[Mark72233]

Ok AllDodge that makes sense

 

[Mark72233]

I am planning to use 16 gauge on the most of this.

 

[alldodge]

I am planning to use 16 gauge on the most of this.

16 is cool to/from the individual components, but main ground back to the bat should be larger IMO

 

[Mark72233]

Got ya I have 10ga for the run from the block to the buss and I have I think 4ga for the main battery cable runs

 

[WOEISMEIGOTTA470]

Ok, starting to look at running wiring. So here comes a stupid question. The correct running lights arrived today so I was going to run a short positive and a short negative (jump wires) from the port light to the starboard light and than run the long wires back to the light switch at the helm or should I run a negative jump wire and 2 positive wires back to the switch at the helm or do I have to run 2 sets of blk and red wires one set from each light back to the switch. As I type this I realize how dumb the ? Is but its typed so I am hitting Post Reply.

lol, I'd probably go with your first route, parallel wire your port and stb. lights, then run a single pair of +/- back to the helm off the stb. light. (i.e. shortest run to helm, least amt. of necessary wire).

 

[Mark72233]

Cool. Thanks Woe. Trying to put stuff together and visualize how to hook everything up. The console starting to look pretty good. I still have to attach the two trim switches in the oval holes below the throttles and the switch panel to the left of the 2 bilge switches but it's taking shape.

A teak foot rest covers the big hole at the bottom.

 

[WOEISMEIGOTTA470]

Looking sharp Mark! You're onto the fun parts of boat building now!
Also, there's just something cool about having two ignition keys! Twin powah!

 

[Mark72233]

Yes a while back I spent a bunch of time trying to figure out how I wanted to lay out the gauges, I was so fixated on the gauges I forgot all about the ignition switches. I cut out all the holes and it wasn't until just the other day that I realized I need to drill holes for the ignition switches and the only place they would fit was to the right of the steering column. I think I will cut a square piece of the black starboard and mount the ignition switches into that so it matches the gauge cluster.

 

[Mikeopsycho]

Looks great Mark! Looks like those ignition switches belong there. It's really a nice looking consol.

 

[Mark72233]

Well I have most of the switches in place and everything is tightened down and ready for wiring so if someone could just drop by the house and knock that out for me that would be great.

 

[alldodge]

That's just looking so dang good Mark

 

[nurseman]

:thumb::thumb: That starboard under the switches is perfect!

 

[WOEISMEIGOTTA470]

Definitely adds a more finished look, nice job!

 

[Mark72233]

Thanks. I did get some bad news. I thought the steering cable was going to work but once I routed it under the gunnel its about 6"s short so now I have to look for a 15 or 16 footer. Sold the one I bought at a loss but thought at least I have a little extra boat cash and now I need to spend another $100+ for a cable:frusty:

 

[alldodge]

Bummer

 

[Mark72233]

Making some progress with electrics and such. I will post updates and photos in a few. I have a question about wiring the hour meters. Mine maybe like most and are very simple it has two wire connections, ground and power. Does the power go to the ignition switch hooked to the screw marked ignition?

 

[Mark72233]

Same question for the volt gauges.

 

[alldodge]

You want to connect both to a key on power source. If the hour meter is in the engine room, connect to the positive side of the coil. If the hour and volt meters are at the helm connect to any purple wire (if you used purple when rewiring) or the wire that the key is hot when ON.

One other thing are you using one alternator or two?

 

[Mark72233]

Each engine has an alternator. I wired both hour meters to their respective key switches on the ignition screw which to me should give power to the hour meters as long as the engines are running or if I left the key in the on position which I will try not to do

 

[Mark72233]

As for the volt meter I did use the correct colored wires so I do have a purple one that I will hook to the volt meters from each engine to its respective gauge