Boat wiring and why it ends up a mess

[Bigplumbs]

As most know I have several small boats and generally I refit them with new GPS/Fish finders and VHF etc. when you do this you often find that the existing boat wiring is shall we say interesting. I test various circuits with my multimeter but so often the wires are in such inaccessible places that you need to be a contortionist to get access to them And are never quite sure about the state of the wires or where fuses are.

The result for me is that I often end up running new wires and leaving the old wires in place and just insulating the ends usually with heat shrink.

Over time this means that the boat is a hotch potch of new and old wires some working and some redundant………. All rather confusing.

If you are a little OCD you can of course strip out and restart but that is a big job and very time consuming.

what do others do ?

 

[limecc]

. . .you need to be a contortionist to get access to them. . .
what do others do ?

Contortionist exercises

 

[Just_sayin']

I just rewire way to fast and then blame someone else.

 

[Boathook]

I try and strip out the old wiring but sometimes give up and just cut as close as possible to where it is exposed.

As my boat was a 1970's build it was designed for all the wiring now required so I use a lot of trunking, mainly hidden out of site but easy to get at. With trunking guess at number of cables likely to use it and then treble for trying to future proof trunking.

 

[scottie]

Just follow your own rules do the it most convenient way and don’t bother about the carnage you created
BPW

 

[jakew009]

The reason boat wiring ends up a mess is because it is often done by people who have no idea what they are doing.

Most people wouldn’t attempt to rewire their house from scratch, but they are happy to “have a go” at their boat.

There is also a lot of dreadful electrical work done on boats by so called ‘professionals’.

Even brand new boats used to come out of the factory with dreadful wiring.
Fairline using AC breakers to switch DC loads and umpteen vampire connectors.
Cobra ribs turning out total rubbish with terminal blocks and pathetic crimps.

The British boat builders seem about the worse for it historically.

 

[simonfraser]

lableling the wires as one adds would be helpful, what do you guys use ?

 

[Helidan]

The reason boat wiring ends up a mess is because it is often done by people who have no idea what they are doing.

Most people wouldn’t attempt to rewire their house from scratch, but they are happy to “have a go” at their boat.

There is also a lot of dreadful electrical work done on boats by so called ‘professionals’.

Even brand new boats used to come out of the factory with dreadful wiring.
Fairline using AC breakers to switch DC loads and umpteen vampire connectors.
Cobra ribs turning out total rubbish with terminal blocks and pathetic crimps.

The British boat builders seem about the worse for it historically.

Most people would be aware that there are very specific rules and regulations covering electrics in a house but as far as I'm aware there isn't really much in place for boats (leisure boats anyway).

 

[Helidan]

lableling the wires as one adds would be helpful, what do you guys use ?

When I do my wiring over the winter I will likely borrow the Dymo printer from work which can print onto heatshrink sleeving.

 

[Bigplumbs]

Most people would be aware that there are very specific rules and regulations covering electrics in a house but as far as I'm aware there isn't really much in place for boats (leisure boats anyway).

As a Private home owner you can also do pretty much what you want yourself in your own house. Remember the Doctrine of an Englishman's home is his Castle. It is generally wet areas that you are expected to stay clear off.

I still think what ever you do in a boat you end up with lots of cable ties and it still falls down under the console

 

[Hacker]

As a Private home owner you can also do pretty much what you want yourself in your own house. Remember the Doctrine of an Englishman's home is his Castle. It is generally wet areas that you are expected to stay clear off.

You could do what you want but unless you get it certified (certain additions are allowed) you will be in breach of the regulations and would struggle to sell the property at a later date.

 

[V1701]

Just follow your own rules do the it most convenient way and don’t bother about the carnage you created
BPW

Multiply that by the number of POs your boat has had and that's exactly why they're usually such a mess...

 

[waynes world]

I am about to do mine this winter Bouba. its a mess but original mess, i think, i usually rewire my boats but this time ill trace and check continuity etc and go with the flow, if good then keep. Any odd wires, which there must be, ill try and remove them.

behind dash seems scariest, and dont worry that bloody fugly thing will be going.

fuse box is tidy but old and way to big for what is in it. so will be half the size and add new fuse boxs etc

i do like wiring, as once done it all work well feels a good achievement.

 

[Seastoke]

Use a blue tooth camera and watch your hands on the eye pad , but don’t get your plumbs in the way.

 

[jakew009]

I am about to do mine this winter Bouba. its a mess but original mess, i think, i usually rewire my boats but this time ill trace and check continuity etc and go with the flow, if good then keep. Any odd wires, which there must be, ill try and remove them.

behind dash seems scariest, and dont worry that bloody fugly thing will be going.

fuse box is tidy but old and way to big for what is in it. so will be half the size and add new fuse boxs etc

i do like wiring, as once done it all work well feels a good achievement.

Why would you waste your time trying to fix that up? It will take 10x longer than ripping and replacing and you will end up replacing 99% of it anyway.

 

[limecc]

Why would you waste your time trying to fix that up? It will take 10x longer than ripping and replacing and you will end up replacing 99% of it anyway.

You made a fantastic job of yours. Will you post a pic or two?

 

[waynes world]

Why would you waste your time trying to fix that up? It will take 10x longer than ripping and replacing and you will end up replacing 99% of it anyway.

As said i will be going with the flow and seeing what is good and good continuity etc, why remove when its good. if not then replace. The fuse box is to big so will replace them as they are old now and bad contacts likely. I wont know for sure untill i look into it properly.

 

[Bigplumbs]

You could do what you want but unless you get it certified (certain additions are allowed) you will be in breach of the regulations and would struggle to sell the property at a later date.

Well not completely true but perhaps stick to the topic

 

[Mr Googler]

I love a bit of wiring


red tap for ve + and black for ve- ? The Chinese tails make no colour sense at all ??

I did however help out a mate and found this rats nest. Lots of bits added by pros!