DC Wiring color code???

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littletoes

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Joined
Aug 8, 2010
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Anyone know the proper color coding sequence for DC Voltage as pertaining to boats???

'Ya see, not sure if I know the correct method for asking this question. How are boats defined as pertaining to the dc circuits in relation to grounding???

Thanks, if you can help!
 
a70eliminator

a70eliminator

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Re: DC Wiring color code???

Black is usually ground and red is usually hot, other than that I don't think there's any standard color code, colors are whatever the mfg labels them.
 
SeanT

SeanT

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Re: DC Wiring color code???

Green is usually ground as well. Yellow is usually hot, but I always try and make it a "switched hot", meaning it gets power when something else is on first (like accessory).

Having said that, I've broken all of those rules, however the only one I never break is black/green being ground. I've used black wire to wire up +12V, but then I covered it with red tape (hey, in a pinch).

I try and use blue for signal wires, like amp remote on. But I've used yellow and red for those too.
 
trendsetter240

trendsetter240

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Re: DC Wiring color code???

SeanT said:
Green is usually ground as well. Yellow is usually hot, but I always try and make it a "switched hot", meaning it gets power when something else is on first (like accessory).

Having said that, I've broken all of those rules, however the only one I never break is black/green being ground. I've used black wire to wire up +12V, but then I covered it with red tape (hey, in a pinch).

I try and use blue for signal wires, like amp remote on. But I've used yellow and red for those too.
Click to expand...

Be careful with yellow. In a DC based boat system Yellow is DC ground when there is a secondary AC system onboard. You cannot mix AC Black and DC ground.

So AC will always be Black, White and Green. DC may be Black and Red or Yellow and Red.

Always use Red for DC positive.
 
SeanT

SeanT

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Re: DC Wiring color code???

Not so on my boat. But good warning nonetheless.
 
L

littletoes

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Aug 8, 2010
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Re: DC Wiring color code???

'87 Sea Swirl, 4.3 liter

As I've had to do many repairs on the electrical system, I've found that somebody attempted to rewire all existing black wires to the positive side. I've been repairing as i find them, most everything has not worked till now.

Thanks for all the information and help!

My last problem is the bilge pump. The black wire from the bilge was wired to the positive side of the starter, the slate wife ran to the front of the boat, tyed to the "on-off" switch.

My concern involved the polarity of the system, is it positive, or negative??? I'm convinced now that it is straight polarity. Had me wondering there for a while with all the crazy wiring!
 
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RickJ6956

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jul 18, 2009
Messages
349
Re: DC Wiring color code???

Boat DC systems are negative ground.

Be careful using green as ground for DC. On boats with both DC and AC systems green is the AC ground.
 
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Woodbinekeith

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Sep 1, 2009
Messages
86
Re: DC Wiring color code???

I ran across what seems to be pretty good info
Red = DC +ve
Yellow = DC negative
Black = alternative DC -ve
Green = general DC grounding conductor
Dark Blue = cabin/instrument lights
Dark Grey = navigation lights
Brown = bilge pump
Brown/yellow strip = bilge blower
Orange = Accessory feed
Purple = ignition
Yellow/red stripe = starting circuit
Light Blue = oil pressure
Tan = water pressure
Pink = fuel gauge

My boat is only 17' but they were in the above colors except the yellow (boat is 1977)
 
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