Simpler dash wiring?? Need advice!

[dabrackmaster]

85 stratos 365v 17ft bass boat...

I've got wiring gremlins, some of my own and some from a litter of kittens that decided to call my hull home for a week until I evicted them.

Basically, I need these accessories/gauges.
Gauges: Tach, Volts, Water Pressure, Fuel

Accessories: 12v cigarette lighter(for phone charging)
Nav/Anchor
Bilge
Led strips

Need to eliminate:
Aerator/timer switch....some reason it feeds power to the rest of the dash even with the main switch off.

Ideal setup.....dash lights only when both nav/Anchor lights on.
Gauges all working with main switch on and ignition in on position.

PROBLEM.....there is a clustercluck of like 200 wires going everywhere.....doesnt this seem excessive?

Any help from previous rewired or experience welcomed. Thanks in advance guys

 

[legalfee]

I would start with a wiring diagram. You might be better off taking everything out and starting over. Get a good crimping tool and assorted connectors.

 

[roscoe]

Label each wire, disconnect it, remove it.
Install a fuse block if you don't have one.
Replace all needed wires, discard all extra wires.

You won't find a wiring diagram for most boats, larger and newer boats maybe.
Use generic diagram.

Buy marine grade tinned wire, use quality shrink tube connectors.

 

[dabrackmaster]

Thanks guys....this will be an ongoing project, but I'll continue to post pics of my progress.

One serious question I have, installed a 12v cigarette lighter outlet for my car charger.....before the install my accessory battery would run sonar, lights and others for up to 12 hours. Only charging one phone 2 or 3 times during the day, I'm down to 9 volts after only a few hours.....any ideas?

 

[Silvertip]

Bad meter, bad connection, bad battery, discharged battery, or misreading the meter.

 

[roscoe]

I would say to stop charging your phone 3 times while on the water.
Or stop using the phone. You are on the water.
Or, install a second battery, deep cycle, for your phone and other toys.

Or get one of those little Li phone charging batteries for the phone, so you don't get stranded on the water.


You can get some nice brand name ones that will charge a phone 3 times for about $30.
Or this one that will charge a phone 7 times for $50.

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Cha...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BC6QWA2QA46E2G564SAH

 

[Silvertip]

Streaming videos on the water? That now only chews up data but the display being on constantly draws a lot of power.. There is no reason a cell phone needs charging 2 or 3 time during a day trip if used normally.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I can't believe that charging a smartphone 3 times would even put a dent in the charge of a starting battery, unless the latter was in really, really bad shape. You should be able to charge a smart phone hundreds of times off a starting battery. Who knows what your other accessories are drawing, but charging your phone is not the problem.

 

[dabrackmaster]

Okay maybe I should clarify. I may have worded things wrong. My apologies if so because I am seeking sound advice.

I have an engine dedicated starting battery.
I have a deep cycle battery for lighting, nav/anch, lowrance fish finder, and the 12v cigarette lighter for my phone charger.

I don't use Pandora or stream videos on the lake.
None of my passengers do either. My phone doesn't use a lot of battery but it uses it whether or not I'm on it. I carry a fully charged second cell phone for emergencies in my dry box.

Gonna have my accessory battery tested.
I'm experienced in my DVM .

Going with a full on rewire for the dash. Eliminate the junk, and going with all new gauges, lights and wiring.

Thanks for the diagram roscoe.
Thanks for all of the advice fellas.
Probably gonna create a post/thread with updates.

 

[5150abf]

Replaced my console 2 year s ago and ya, it is a huge amount of wiring and it all goes through the dash.

Mine was a hodge podge too, a lot of new circuits added over years with few breakers, new dash came out with 9-10 circuits all with breakers and terminal blocks.

As stated, mark everything before you pull it off, I will use a piece of masking tape and sharpie, fold the tape over the wire to make a little flag to write on.

Sample-Bilge + if there are multiple wires like on a timer mark position too-Timer + middle.

I went with breakers as I hate fuses, and 2 terminal blocks pretty sure you can get them cheap somewhere just watch the rating, don't; want a 20 amp breaker on a 5 amp appliance.

Just take your time and do one circuit at a time

 

[dabrackmaster]

Awesome 5150. Already started collecting the stuff needed. "Boater on a budget" lol