Introduction

[Mr Nick]

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum and would like to introduce myself and explain my motives.

I am returning a huge favor to a friend by installing a complete electrical system into a new build 50' steel hull sailing yacht. The yacht's name is 'Kotec' and was purchased by my friend as an on-going project. It currently sits in a field at the end of my friends garden partially built. The two engines, prop shafts, rudder, tanks etc are installed and i'm about to start on the electrical installation before the floors and sidewalls are fitted.

I have to be completely honest and explain that I have very little knowledge of yachting or yachts and I've joined the forum to gain advice on various aspects of the electrical and navigation installation. I am a 55 year old aviation engineer, not a marine engineer so although I have a decent understanding of electrical theory and navigation, I won't be able to offer much marine advice back to the forum. However, if anybody needs advice on aircraft electrical or navigation systems.....I'm your man! There may be some silly questions to follow which I will apologise for in a advance.

At this stage, we have an electrical power system for a twin engine yacht designed by Merlin ready to install. I am now in the process of sourcing wiring and sundries which leads me to my first question. I need recommendations for a source of good quality sensibly priced wire and terminations in the UK. In particular, fairly large quantities of various gauge tinned copper wire with a nice thin wall insulation. I will also be needing a complete NMEA 2000 set up at some stage. Any recommendations would be gratefully received. Also, I will be crimping some huge cable terminations for the battery to power panel wiring. In aviation, we use very expensive hydraulic crimp tools to do this. Is there a reasonably priced crimp tool available? I have looked at eBay and found some that seem up to the job but given the importance of a high quality crimped terminal on these big cables, I would welcome any advice.

Thanks in advance,
Nick.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Hello Nick

Welcome to the forum. Newbie posts get a bit buried at first, due to moderation, so here's a bump up to the top - hopefully someone'll be along soon with some answers for you,

 

[Rocksteadee]

Have a look at RS
May not be the cheapest but mail order normally next day, assured quality and discounts for bulk

 

[Mr Nick]

Thanks Jimmy & Rocksteadee.

I have an account with RS but never thought about using them. I'll take a look.

 

[kashurst]

Hi
before you get started, have a good look at the ABYC (american boat and yacht council) specifications for electrical installations on a boat. A lot of sensible ideas in their standards based on decades of collective boat building. Also bear in mind the boat will probably need to be CE approved by a surveyor at some point, so just check out what the electrical requirements are needed to satisfy that. From memory (but please check) if you follow ABYC you should be good to go. I don't think you have to worry about colour coded wires, but its definitely worth numbering them. Pre-tinned wires is a very good idea, it lasts a lot longer and the boat will be electrically more reliable. Don't mix connector materials - i.e don't put a bright tin connector onto a plain brass terminal etc. Put tin plate on tin plate, brass on brass etc.

re really big connectors, you could just prepare the big battery wires etc and take them to a local truck/bus auto electrician and ask them to put the crimps on.

sounds like a great project.

 

[sarabande]

Nick, welcome to the forums.

Try 12vPlanet, and Farnell for supplies for all sorts of wiring at connectors. Both will set up trade accounts.

As for tools, I took the advice of one of the forum leckies and bought Klauke crimpers, the small 507 model for e.g. lighting wiring and the bigger multi size K06 for heavy duty cabling 10 to 120mm². Both of them are handraulic . Klauke also sell a very wide variety of crimps and clever connectors in different materials.

You will never regret the extra money as they save so much time, and you know that the crimp will be a proper one.

BTW, there are a couple of aircraft engineers on the forum. You are not alone.

 

[Mr Nick]

Hi
before you get started, have a good look at the ABYC (american boat and yacht council) specifications for electrical installations on a boat. A lot of sensible ideas in their standards based on decades of collective boat building. Also bear in mind the boat will probably need to be CE approved by a surveyor at some point, so just check out what the electrical requirements are needed to satisfy that. From memory (but please check) if you follow ABYC you should be good to go. I don't think you have to worry about colour coded wires, but its definitely worth numbering them. Pre-tinned wires is a very good idea, it lasts a lot longer and the boat will be electrically more reliable. Don't mix connector materials - i.e don't put a bright tin connector onto a plain brass terminal etc. Put tin plate on tin plate, brass on brass etc.

re really big connectors, you could just prepare the big battery wires etc and take them to a local truck/bus auto electrician and ask them to put the crimps on.

sounds like a great project.

Some great advice there, which is appreciated. Thanks Kashurst, I'll take a look at ABYC.

 

[Mr Nick]

Nick, welcome to the forums.

Try 12vPlanet, and Farnell for supplies for all sorts of wiring at connectors. Both will set up trade accounts.

As for tools, I took the advice of one of the forum leckies and bought Klauke crimpers, the small 507 model for e.g. lighting wiring and the bigger multi size K06 for heavy duty cabling 10 to 120mm². Both of them are handraulic . Klauke also sell a very wide variety of crimps and clever connectors in different materials.

You will never regret the extra money as they save so much time, and you know that the crimp will be a proper one.

BTW, there are a couple of aircraft engineers on the forum. You are not alone.

Thanks for the pointers Sarabande. I've not heard of Klauke crimpers. I have AMP crimp tools for anything up to 10AWG so I'll take a look at the Klauke tools for the big stuff. I'm torn between having the battery cables crimped as Kashurst recommends or buying a decent tool.

 

[sarabande]

If you have your own kit, you can cut battery cable to length on the boat and crimp it. Then if you change the layout, or add a battery, you still have the means to do it. And you know that the crimp will be a good one

Saves time; saves worry.

 

[Mr Nick]

If you have your own kit, you can cut battery cable to length on the boat and crimp it. Then if you change the layout, or add a battery, you still have the means to do it. And you know that the crimp will be a good one

Saves time; saves worry.

Just checked the price of those Klauke crimpers..........made my eyes water a bit but I think your right, I've got to go with crimping on the boat.

 

[superheat6k]

As a reference source for all things electrical as associated with boats, then £45 spent on Nigel Calder's 'Boatowners Mechanical & Electrical Manual will provide sound advice that is ABYC compliant, but also cross references to European standards too.

For the NMEA2000 Garmin offer a starter kit that has all the basic parts required to install a backbone, and it is fully NMEA2000 compliant. They also offer clear explanation of what rules should be followed for a compliant NMEA2000 backbone set up.