How To Simplify Boat Wiring

[n315on]

I have a 1983 Renken bowrider and I want to re due my wiring. Currently on the dash I have a
-NAV switch
-Anchor Switch
-Blower Switch
-Pump switch
-Horn Switch

I also have temp, speedo, voltage and pressure gauges.

Currently the boat is in the midst of becoming an outboard from an I/O.

My plan was to get rid of the blower switch since that is no longer needed.

I was wondering what the Nav and Anchor Switches are supposed to do?

I also wanted help on simplifying my existing wiring harness to only the necessities.

 

[seabob4]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

Since you are converting to O/B, you won't need the blower, so make that an "Accessory" switch. Use it to power up a stereo or any electronics you add later. The remainder ARE necessities. Nav Lgt switch turns on your bow nav lgts. Anchor lgt switch turns on your stern anchor light. Pump turns on your bilge pump. You really can't get simpler than this...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

I can't believe an I/O didn't have a volt meter or an ammeter. The pressure gauge you mention is likely OIL pressure. If you have a two stroke outboard, they don't have oil pressure so it (or the hole) can be used for "Water Pressure" gauge. The Temperature gauge for the I/O might be able to be used for the outboard IF and ONLY IF the sender on the I/O has 22 - 240 ohms of resistance. Otherwise you eliminate the gauge or replace it and the sender with outboard specific components. Look at the "stickies" at the very top of this forum for "Generic Boat Wiring Diagram". Use what you want, eliminate what you don't want or need.

 

[n315on]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

I can't believe an I/O didn't have a volt meter or an ammeter. The pressure gauge you mention is likely OIL pressure. If you have a two stroke outboard, they don't have oil pressure so it (or the hole) can be used for "Water Pressure" gauge. The Temperature gauge for the I/O might be able to be used for the outboard IF and ONLY IF the sender on the I/O has 22 - 240 ohms of resistance. Otherwise you eliminate the gauge or replace it and the sender with outboard specific components. Look at the "stickies" at the very top of this forum for "Generic Boat Wiring Diagram". Use what you want, eliminate what you don't want or need.

Where do I put my multimeter leads to test the resistence of the sender

 

[seabob4]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

Black and pink. Pull the sender and move the float up and down, observe the resistance...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

The wire must be removed from the sender to measure resistance, otherwise the gauge gets involved.

 

[seabob4]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

Black to pink will peg the gauge. That way, the gauge will be eliminated from the TS equation.

 

[Outsider]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

I'm not sure you two are talking about the same 'sender', never saw a temp sender with a float.

And the OP said he had a voltage gauge ...

 

[seabob4]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

Sometimes I REALLY need to pay more attention...MY BAD!!! I so frickin used to dealing with fuel senders, I hear the word "sender", and I think "black and pink, black and pink, black and pink..."...

I'll just go crawl back under my rock, now.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

Think its bad now when you screw up now SeaBob -- wait until you are older than dirt like I am. No need to crawl under a rock -- chances are I'm already taking up that space.

 

[seabob4]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

I think it's because I have never seen the amount of senders that needed replacing this year in over 16 years of doing this stuff. Maybe more older used boats being used, maybe ethanol, maybe karma? I don't know. But I do know Moeller is getting some of my customers money...

 

[n315on]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

So how do I measure the resistance?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How To Simplify Boat Wiring

Disconnect the wire from the sender. Set the meter to read resistance. Touch one lead to the post and the other lead to the shell. You must factor ambient temperature. The sender will read somewhere between 30 and 240 ohms if it is a generic marine sender. The exact reading will depend on how hot it is.