Rewiring and adding components

[dozer1013]

Just bought a '88 Nitro fish n ski and the wiring is a mess

Everything except the TM appears to be tied into the main engine cable or possibly in with the trim motor?can?t really tell

The ground wires seem to all be attached to a star shaped piece of metal that has a screw in the middle but is attached to nothing

I was thinking that I need to have the motor (and trim motor?) connected to a dedicated start battery and everything else running off a house battery

I do not really want to completely redo the wiring in the entire boat so maybe there?s some middle ground using what?s there? But if it requires a complete redo then so be it.

Looking for drawings and/or suggestions for a simple rewiring project. I'm fairly handy but when it comes to electrical systems somewhat trepidatious

onboard is:
Single outboard with trim (3 trim switches bow/throttle/stern)
24v TM (current plan is two set up two 12v batts in series to get the 24v and tapping that set up to draw the 12v...would prefer not to have 4 batts on board)
Fish finder
Gauges (trim, fuel, mph, rpm) all bundled on one cable assy
AM/FM/CD
(2) LED cabin lights
Nav lights
live well (assume there's a pump but haven't gotten that far yet and will post separately for that)
bilge
aerator

Would like to add to the system:
12v socket (for cell phone charging etc)
horn

I have already purchased a Blue Sea 5026 fuse block to use for this
Wouldn't mind having a centralized switch panel either

I realize that because of the 24v TM this would be considered a dual voltage system so if it?s easier, take the TM out of the equation as I already know how to use two 12v in series for that.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Rewiring and adding components

I would just leave all the wiring alone and add a second battery with a 1/2/both switch and an ACR. If you had a fridge, A/C or other heavy hitters it would be a different story but you don't.

 

[dozer1013]

Re: Rewiring and adding components

I like the sound of leaving it alone but does that include not installing the fuse box?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Rewiring and adding components

You probably already have a fuse box near your helm. If its full, you can put a new one in parallel with the current one if it is full to add more circuits.

I you really want some of your circuits on a seperate battery such as depth finder and interior lights, you could go for the following switch

http://www.bluesea.com/products/7650

and add your new fuse box.

I would not try to separate all the circuits you presently have though unless absolutely necessary.

You did say you didn't want to have 4 batteries onboard which this of course would require.

 

[delta229]

Re: Rewiring and adding components

I am an electronics and electrical engineer by trade. I do marine wiring on the side. If I can assist you with some basic drawings and ideas, please feel free to private message me.

 

[dozer1013]

Re: Rewiring and adding components

UPDATE:

been poking around the boat a little more and think I've got the wiring pretty much figured out

The fish finder, gauges, Nav lights, bilge, aerator (assumed because it's not working) are all bundled on one cable assy

The AM/FM/CD and LED cabin lights are add-ons and are each wired independently.

And of course the 24v TM is it's own entity

For ease and tidiness now I'm thinking of just tying in the player and lights into the main cable that has the rest of the components already on it.

Still haven't heard if it's good, bad, or indifferent to tap into the 24v set up to draw the 12v

Thanks for any input!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Rewiring and adding components

Dons has a thread on this already.
http://forums.iboats.com/electrical-electronics-audio-trolling-motors/12-24-volt-615866.html

 

[Don S]

Re: Rewiring and adding components

Your engine, gauges, ignition switch, trim etc. are one system. Completely separate from everything else. At least it should be.

Your 12 volt accessories, pumps, lights, electronics etc, should be a separate system as well.

You can keep them separate using the Add-A-Battery switch and ACR.

Then you have the 24 Volt system. That needs to be completely separate from any 12V electrical on your boat.
This file shows a basic 12v two battery system with a 1/2/Both battery switch.

View attachment Typical Wiring.pdf

Here is the battery switch wiring for the ACR and switch listed above.

View attachment Add A Battery OB.pdf

 

[Bill3434]

Re: Rewiring and adding components

Your engine, gauges, ignition switch, trim etc. are one system. Completely separate from everything else. At least it should be.

Your 12 volt accessories, pumps, lights, electronics etc, should be a separate system as well.

You can keep them separate using the Add-A-Battery switch and ACR.

Then you have the 24 Volt system. That needs to be completely separate from any 12V electrical on your boat.
This file shows a basic 12v two battery system with a 1/2/Both battery switch.

View attachment 202895

Here is the battery switch wiring for the ACR and switch listed above.

View attachment 202896

Don, glad I came across this thread and looked. Great diagrams.

 

[Kaze]

Re: Rewiring and adding components

Your engine, gauges, ignition switch, trim etc. are one system. Completely separate from everything else. At least it should be.

Your 12 volt accessories, pumps, lights, electronics etc, should be a separate system as well.

You can keep them separate using the Add-A-Battery switch and ACR.

Then you have the 24 Volt system. That needs to be completely separate from any 12V electrical on your boat.
This file shows a basic 12v two battery system with a 1/2/Both battery switch.

View attachment 168027

Here is the battery switch wiring for the ACR and switch listed above.

View attachment 170706

I realize this post is old, wondering if you have a 24v trolling motor (2 batteries) should you have a house battery and a start battery for a total of four batteries?