Wiring instruments.

[Wandering Star]

I want to install some new (used) sailing instruments whilst the painting of my topsides is on temporary hold. Instruments include Furuno GPS & Navtex, Raymarine ST60+ Depth & Speed. Can someone advise what gauge of wire I should be using for a max distance of 12 feet from the switch panel.

Thanks.

 

[andsarkit]

I want to install some new (used) sailing instruments whilst the painting of my topsides is on temporary hold. Instruments include Furuno GPS & Navtex, Raymarine ST60+ Depth & Speed. Can someone advise what gauge of wire I should be using for a max distance of 12 feet from the switch panel.

Thanks.

You can calculate volt drop from here calculator if you have the handbooks giving the current for each instrument. The handbooks should also give the working voltage range but a 1V drop to 11V will probably not stop them working. The answer will be quite a small wire. Will all the instruments be wired individually back to the switch panel?
Alternatively just use 1.5mm2 and it will be fine electrically and also mechanically robust. 12V Planet sell a suitable cable by the metre. This is overkill but as long as you have room in the conduit then it is an easy way to go.
People always recommend tinned wire but if you have a dry boat then bare copper will last many years.
Best to check that the Furuno survived the last GPS rollover as several of their instruments had a problem and there was no software fix.

 

[Wandering Star]

Thanks for this, I’ll buy a roll of 1.5mm wire. The GPS is a GP35 and doesn’t appear to be affected by the date problem but thanks for the caution!

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks for this, I’ll buy a roll of 1.5mm wire. The GPS is a GP35 and doesn’t appear to be affected by the date problem but thanks for the caution!

I would use 1.5mm wire too, thinner would be OK for current, but 1.5mm is more robust, as andarskit said.

 

[Wandering Star]

Thanks Paul.

 

[Tranona]

I did all mine in 1.5mm tinned wire from 12 volt Planet

 

[William_H]

As Paul says it is not a question of volt drop for instruments (current quite small) but of robustness/long life in the face of corrosion. Go much bigger. ol'will

 

[Refueler]

I am well aware that I will be 'bombed' for this ...

But power cable - yes agreed with above recc'd.

But Data ? I have used multi-core telephone cable. Its neat, has so many colour leads that identification for what is easy. I even installed small telephone sockets for pluggable items ...... exterior grade of course.

It all lasted many years and when I removed it on upgrading gear - no signs of 'black wire' or corrosion at all. In fact - the loom is still kept in my workshop to show others ..

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I am well aware that I will be 'bombed' for this ...

But power cable - yes agreed with above recc'd.

But Data ? I have used multi-core telephone cable. Its neat, has so many colour leads that identification for what is easy. I even installed small telephone sockets for pluggable items ...... exterior grade of course.

It all lasted many years and when I removed it on upgrading gear - no signs of 'black wire' or corrosion at all. In fact - the loom is still kept in my workshop to show others ..

That would be fine for 0183, or seatalk 1. Hard to say how well it might work for 2000. I guess you reached the same conclusion and replaced it for that reason.

 

[Refueler]

That would be fine for 0183, or seatalk 1. Hard to say how well it might work for 2000. I guess you reached the same conclusion and replaced it for that reason.

Not at all - I don't like or want 2000 .....

I use 0183 and WiFi / USB ...... so any limitation of 0183 is bypassed - while keeping wiring simple. The 'telephone cable' system was with my old units ... non GPS VHF ... feed my Notebook PC etc.
Then I got the NMEA2WiFi unit .....

Why would I want 2000 with its terminating resistors etc. Had enough of that crap with my Lowrance Plotter .... excellent plotter but that awful 2000 cabling for GPS antenna.

Things are moving on ... even budget Onwa is using more modern comms with its latest gear ... go have a look ...

 

[Boathook]

I've used telephone cable for data between instruments. Seems to work OK. I was given a small drum of the stuff so nothing to lose !

 

[PaulRainbow]

Telephone cable is about the worst thing you can use on a boat. It is too thin and it's single strand.

The OP is asking about power cables "max distance of 12 feet from the switch panel. "

If he was asking about data cables i wouldn't have suggested using a bunch of 1.5mm wires, but i'd never have suggested telephone cable. For simple, low cost data cable (NMEA 0183) there is nothing wrong with multi-strand Ethernet cable, also available tinned.

 

[Wandering Star]

Yep, was just asking about the power supply from the switch panel to the instruments, any data cables are manufacturer supplied!

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Not at all - I don't like or want 2000 .....

I use 0183 and WiFi / USB ...... so any limitation of 0183 is bypassed - while keeping wiring simple. The 'telephone cable' system was with my old units ... non GPS VHF ... feed my Notebook PC etc.
Then I got the NMEA2WiFi unit .....

Why would I want 2000 with its terminating resistors etc. Had enough of that crap with my Lowrance Plotter .... excellent plotter but that awful 2000 cabling for GPS antenna.

Things are moving on ... even budget Onwa is using more modern comms with its latest gear ... go have a look ...

I’m aware of the limitations of 2000, I spent my working life in Ethernet architecture. But given the limited amount of data, and the robustness of the comms, 2000 is a very adequate solution for most people. Personally I use Ethernet cable for all/any data/comms in home or boat, except for 2000. Maybe because I’ve always got a few thousand metres in stock.

 

[Refueler]

Telephone cable is about the worst thing you can use on a boat. It is too thin and it's single strand.

The OP is asking about power cables "max distance of 12 feet from the switch panel. "

If he was asking about data cables i wouldn't have suggested using a bunch of 1.5mm wires, but i'd never have suggested telephone cable. For simple, low cost data cable (NMEA 0183) there is nothing wrong with multi-strand Ethernet cable, also available tinned.

Please y'all ..... go back and read my post ..

1. I agreed about power cable.

2. I added my comment about data cable as a suggestion - NOT for power.

Strange that my 'tel cable' worked flawlessly for over 15yrs before I removed when moving to WiFi / USB.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Please y'all ..... go back and read my post ..

1. I agreed about power cable.

2. I added my comment about data cable as a suggestion - NOT for power.

Strange that my 'tel cable' worked flawlessly for over 15yrs before I removed when moving to WiFi / USB.

I see all sorts of wrong things on boats. Often, they are "working", that doesn't mean they are correct, working as well as they could, or lasting as long as they should.

If you are happy using single strand wire, then go for it. It's still not the correct stuff though, any more than using domestic T&E for shore power is correct.