Wiring Diagram - simplistic

[csuggs]

Anyone out there have a simple wiring diagram for a mid-80's inboard? The diagram in my manual is not only hard to read, but is configured for all the "alarms" that were once available on these boats. I have no alarms, just simple gauges. Before I start drawing one up myself I thought I would see if someone had already done this.

[OUI]

Send me your email address and I'll send you one.

[csuggs]

PM sent. Thanks

[sybrmike]

Here's my simple go-by diagram. Just need to splice a few wires. (Sorry, in the midst of prewiring the new dash & couldn't help myself).

Are you adding something or changing things up?

[csuggs]

Here's my simple go-by diagram. Just need to splice a few wires. (Sorry, in the midst of prewiring the new dash & couldn't help myself).

Are you adding something or changing things up?

Lol! Just getting rid of the cluster of wires and splices behind the dash. I think I'm going to wire everything from the motor to a terminal strip located under the dash, then I'll just have a pigtail off each panel. I would like to rip everything out and start fresh.

[wotan2525]

I really think some kind of maniac wired these boats dashboards @ the factory.

[jet]

Im already thinking of this too. New gauges and less wiring. Every gauge has a power-wire..then a jumper to the red light and the a ground wire wich is jumping to ever gauge also. It a CLUSTER!

[sybrmike]

Agreed, my factory wiring from 20 years ago was a bird's nest. The newer boats look better behind the dash, but maybe that's just better use of wire ties. Regardless, you're still looking at a butt/boat load of wiring. For me, it's roughly:

7 gauges x 4 connections (power,ground, illumination, signal) = 28
9 switches x 3-4 connections (some 2 way rockers) = ~30
12 breakers x 3 connections = 36
another 7 for horn, 12v, & ignition

So over a 100 connections just for the dash!

Add in the 2 batteries, isolator, stereo, 2 amps, 6 speakers, lights, bilge pumps, ballast pumps, engine senders, etc. Good luck with yours - I'm gonna be at this awhile...

[csuggs]

Are you using special marine wire, or just a quality primary wire from local store? What guage - 16?

[sybrmike]

It's admittedly a hodge podge of what I had laying around, a one-time surplus buy of some tinned marine wire, and local standard primary wire. The factory stuff was just standard non-tinned & still functional after 20 years, so realistically probably good enough. If it was a center console used in the bays or gulf, I'd definitely go tinned marine all around - but this is a fresh water only boat.

16 ga for gauge power/ground/signal/lights. 14 ga for the switches, breakers, & anything carrying a load (trim actuators, ballast & bilge pumps, etc.). 18 ga for courtesy leds. 10 ga for primary feed/ground, ignition, 12 v outlet, & jumpers between breakers & switches.

I am using multi-conductor 14 ga on the longer runs from helm to stern where I'll use terminal blocks on the transom to tie in blowers, actuators, fuel sender, etc.

All the stereo stuff is getting tinned wire to help maintain the signals.