Got a boat on-the-cheap, but it has lots of electrical issues. Namely, in the back there are a bunch of wires that are all over the place… some connected to the battery, some hanging free… one set of alligator clamps just hanging on a rubber wire conduit.
Motor starts and runs well, and the fuel gauge works. Everything else (radio, depth/fishfinder, trolling motor, red/green and white all around lights, bilge pump, livewell aerator - shrimp light setup with 2 marine batteries up front…!!!) does not.
So, basically im starting with a rats nest - how do you approach a wiring project if you are not familiar with the boat? Anyone got a “system” of labeling or wire hunting?
If it were me, I would disconnect everything from the battery. Then look at the back of one piece of equipment. Find that type/color/size wire at the battery. 1 at time. then use tie wraps or dental floss, whatever. disconnect and tie them together. move to the next piece.
I would guess the alligator clips are for shimping lights.
Fishb8 (Fish Bait)
23 Sea Hunt “My Last Boat V”
If you can’t stand behind our soldiers, try standing in front of them.
Get yourself a multi-meter. It will help you in finding voltages, amps, and even to see if wires are connected. It is an essential piece of equipment for any type of electrical work. It will help with troubleshooting and hopefully save you some money instead having a tech come out and do what you could do yourself. Mine has saved me a bundle so far! Worth every penny!
“Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They’re about to announce the lottery numbers.” - Homer Simpson
I just got finished rewiring mine due to lightning, I cut all of them out and use the old wires to pull the new ones through the hull…pretty simple. Now I know were every wire goes and does and there’s no extra wires hanging around…Just don’t cut the engine harness…
not the cheapest way to go, but it may be a good idea to rewire the whole boat (accessory wise) that way you know all connections are good and there are no crappy splices hidden from sight, and everything works when needed.
have bought a couple “Hard Used” boats and before I ever take them to the water all accessories are rewired. Its a headache during the process but the outcome is worth it.
My house is protected by God and a gun, Ill introduce you to them both if you show up unwelcomed.
Before giving you the following advice, I’ll have to start by telling you that if it’s a really old boat, I agree with Ed and Chris that rewiring is the best idea. Rewiring an old boat can prevent a lot of problems, including fires.
However, if you don’t want to go through the trouble of rewiring everything, if the boat really isn’t that old, and/or if the copper is still bright on both ends, then there is a way to trace all those wires.
So here’s my suggestion if you don’t want to rewire. Stop by Wholesale Industrial Electronics and pick you up a toner. This is what I used to trace wires in the telecom business; it’s a standard tool in the telecom industry. You can also use a multi-meter, but this is easier. First, label each wire as to what it’s hooked to; then unhook them all and try to make sure none of them are touching each other (this is necessary because of the way the toner works). Hook the injector box to one end of a given wire. Then, go to the other end with the receiver wand, and touch every wire. It will identify the subject wire by signal. You’ll hear your signal on the wire to which the injector is hooked (and may also hear it on other wires from crosstalk, but the right wire will be the loudest one). Tommy or one of the guys at WIE will tell you how to use it. It’s simple. They can be expensive, but I think the cheapest one is the “Fox and Hound”. Godspeed to you.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
