It's like you read my mind... I'm literally wiring my boat THIS WEEKEND! 1977 Mirrocraft, full subfloor install, your live well kit, xi3 trolling motor with pinpoint, Lowrance Elite FS 9, interior LEDs, bow and stern LED nav lights, 2 seven inch light bars for night time romps with the bow, and a dual bilge system!!! You have been inspirational and a hell of a lot of help!!! Thank you!
I don't have enough money to buy or make my own boat right now, but I'm keeping this video on my list very preciously for the future! You are really amazing to be so generous with your time and many advice. This video should have 1M views minimum and I'll buy from one of your links whenever I can. Thank you very much for your generosity and I hope it pays off (in money) because you really deserve it!
This is crazy I'm starting to realize I love working on boats as much as going out in them. Seriously I love fixing my boat. I'm actually restoring a 96 19' Bayliner trophy pro CC. I didn't let the fact it's a Bayliner stop me from buying it 😂. I always liked the Trophy models layout and hull design. This little boat is easy to work on and the stringers floor and transom are in great shape. The wiring is typical Bayliner quality no heat wrap connections and it was your typical past owners spaghetti wires. It took a while but I have heat shrunk every connection I come across and run new wires. Running wires in this boat is pretty easy except for inside the walls. Now I need to set up a battery switch and bus bars to eliminate the spaghetti mess and label each wire coming to the bus bars I like to use clear rubber hose to run miy wires through as a protective sleave for under the deck and up to my connections.
I didn’t get a 7th grade education as I was on my own at 14. After watching this video it’s like I went to collage and got a TH-cam education. Nice work. Perfect content for wiring a boat. Best I have seen on TH-cam. Bravo sir thank you.
This vid is pure gold! Yes it takes some time to view, but has a wealth of information from a voice of experience in wiring boats. A must for anyone wiring their boat. Already applied several things seen here in wiring up my little 14 foot V-bottom. Saved the vid for future reference. A big thank you for doing this!
Thank you so much for this video! I went from feeling overwhelmed and destined to failure, to feeling like "ok I got this". Incredibly helpful video! I will be starting to wire everything in my boat in a few days and I feel so much better now because of this video. I can't thank you enough man!
I have been binge watching your videos. I have a 1978 Sea mist 15' that i'm in the process of restoring and your videos are extremely helpful. Thank you!
Yep, the first time I watched this my eyes glazed over, it took a couple beers to digest. The second and third time it was glorious inspiration. Thank you. Yep, I've got the 2nd grade brain on electricity and the info. for the bus bars and breakers/switches were priceless. Thank you so much for doing this video. As a matter of fact, I've dealt with bigger boats, ie 21" 4Winns and Boston Whalers but never thought that a 16' V Hull would inspire me until now with your video's on how to wire and put in decking. Thank you again.
Absolutely cracking vid mate, hands down best wiring vid on TH-cam. Thank you so much for putting it all together and the thorough explanations. Cheers.
Music not too loud, speed of talking not time-wasting, lack of redundant explanation, comprehendable diagrams...you are the Gold Standard of TH-cam Presentations. I just bought a 30 year old 23 foot cuddy-cabin that sat by the Gulf for 8 years unused and have been researching parts and materials to completely re-wire it: you have saved me probably 50 to 100 hours of online searching. I took notes and drew diagrams. No amount of Thanks could thank you enough.
We’re you successful rewiring the boat? I have a 21ft cuddy that’s in the same shape, all the gauges and switches are trash and everything needs to be pulled out and replaced. Seems very intimidating.
@@battlemasterszone1750 Haven't started yet. Spent many hours sourcing various panels, switches, gauges, wire, connectors, methods of marking wire, fuse-blocks, fiberglass repair methods and products, etc. In the meantime I've experimented with various methods of removing 30 years of gel-coat chalking with great success, sourcing and obtaining trailer fenders and brakes, removing cabin-lining and making 4 hatch covers for inside the cabin. I like to overwhelm myself with information and then let it soak for a few months because I notice I make better decisions that way plus other pieces of data arrive coincidentally. I'm also renovating our motor home, 2 bathrooms and a bedroom in our home. So, everything in it's own time. Thanks for asking. Good luck on your project.
@@choimdachoim9491 that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing, started about 6 weeks ago only to find out majority of the wiring is corroded and needs replaced, and there’s a short somewhere in the gauge cluster. Hoping to have it rewired by spring so I can use it. Thanks for the reply and good luck to you as well.
I like to label my wires at both ends with a label ran length wise wrapped around the wire then cover with clear shrink tubing. This uses less label and prevents the ink on the label from rubbing off (it happens in a very short time on race bikes that are constantly getting worked on)
Great video - I like the way you present information. I think you are very informative without being condescending or overwhelming. I think I will attempt to do some wiring on my boat after watching this. Thank you very much ! Please keep up the good work !
You do a great job man! It makes me happy to see techs that install w/out cutting corners. Pretty rare these days. Also,Thanks for the knowledge. You saved me several years on the learning curve!
Yes completely agree with the bilge pump topic, ALWAYS have backup. I run 2 600gph, 1 800gph and have a manual one! But I also have wash down pumps and other things I may forget to turn off lol.
A Boat Wiring project is like a lot of engineering projects, it boils down to an accounting challenge. Keeping track of wires' connections, wire' types, etc. is where account skills would come in handy.
I’m watching your video because I made the mistake of wiring up my lighting system in the Jeep with Amazon’s copper clad wire. In less than a year, it is literally rotting from the inside out. I need to start over the right way, Thanks for the video.
Wow, I thought I knew most of this but I am so wrong! Have subscribed! The point about insulation wearing off wire is so true. My Lund accessory wire was not properly fastened so the insulation wore off and there was a short seeking a ground burning it’s way to the fuel tank sending unit. We seeing the smoke turned off our engine just in time - before the boom under our feet!
Thanks for this effort. I need to rewire our boat, started it already. But i needed more info. So i’m very grateful for this. Its not a fishing boat but i now saw what i need to do. I’m gonna make a plan based on this. Greetings from Holland
I learned about relays the hard way when I first started building custom trucks. Definitely bringing those with me to my 14x48 build. Also thinking about using a custom 18650 lithium battery build. Can't wait to get started.
AWESOME video! I just bought an OLD bass boat that needs pretty much everything cleaned, restored, or replaced and these videos will be my go-to for how-to. I have a slight advantage in that my son will help me and he is training to be a marine electrician/electronics for some things that go under the ocean ;-) and I have a good basic knowledge of electricity and electronics myself. Can't wait to get into it! SUBSCRIBED!
Just to ease your mind on soilder sleeves. I used to build wiring harnesses for a major airplane company that we all know and love. That is the only proper way to connect one length of wire to another according to them and their engineers. Just food for thought.
Always use the velcro wire ties, never zip ties. Easier to get into if you need to add, remove or pull slack if you've had to change a connector. I'm in the telecomm industry so I run a *lot* of wiring, industry standard these days are the velcro wraps.
I’m in telecommunications too lol. Velcro is just the standard now. For any kind of low voltage wire. Never, ever use zip ties. There’s a reason they were only used for a few years by us amateurs. If anything use your zip ties to hold your job in place until you get back from the hardware store with Velcro 🤓
Great video, but……..as a guy who was a licensed and bonded electrician back in the day, I’m not sure where this idea that running too thick of wiring will cause power loss is coming from. Power loss is due to voltage drop. Voltage drop is directly correlated with the thickness of the wire. Thicker wire will ALWAYS carry power farther before experiencing voltage drop. Always. Less resistance=less voltage drop
Very nice install and very comprehensive video. I love to see the attention to detail, creativity and fabrication skills you show. Too many hacks like to pick up tools lol. I don't understand how you can do such a nice job all the way up to the battery compartment and then land it all like at 18:48, especially when you are so familiar with those nice little fuse blocks. If that was my boat, and I was going thru the trouble and expense, there would only be 1 or 2 main wires on my battery terminals, feeding those fuse blocks. I'm guessing the final install was cleaned up, just haven't made it to the end of the video yet. A couple corrections I will offer: thicker and shorter wires are ALWAYS better to run a load on, ESPECIALLY in low voltage DC circuits - the down side is heavier, harder to route and more expensive. And relays are most beneficial in these low voltage systems. The current draw (along with distance, ambient temperature, etc) is mainly what determines wire size. So, by using these relays, you could wire, say, a remote switch panel and use all smaller gauge wire to the panel, while keeping the relays and heavy gauge wire near the batteries, for instance. Just a couple little things to add. OUTSTANDING JOB THOUGH!!!
another advantage of a relay is that, lets say for a trolling motor, you want to run #6 wire. you don't have to run that #6 wire thru your switch. you will use "control wires" (that are much smaller) to control the relay's coil using the switch on the dash. You could have a battery up front next to your trolling motor. Install a relay between the battery and the trolling motor, run control wires from your dash switch to the relay. Hit the switch, coil engages in relay completes circuit and allows the voltage from trolling motor battery to flow thru #6 wire. (btw they make 24 or 36vdc relays (load side) with 12vdc (control/switch side).
Only reason I ran two relays was for the LED inside the ski boat and the underwater LEDs to tie it to the courtesy lights and avoid adding an off brand switch the panel.
So true about using marine grade wire. I learned the hard way. I used trailer wire to wire my bow light...huge mistake it lasted about 2 weeks then had to pull off the entire rub rail again to run the actual marine grade wire. The trailer wire literally came out in pieces. Uugghh
You should really look into a kapten boat collar. Made by a guy named pete in Australia. I have them on my 14ft and it's changed the boat completely! I honestly think ALL tiny boats should have a collar.
You did very well in most of the video and the only area that you could use some strengthening in was the relays, which essentially are 2 circuits, a Low Current and a High Current circuit, regardless of the voltage. Generally the relays are to protect the switch from the heat generated by the Higher current flow, for example the starter would be actuated by the high current side of the relay, etc. Additionally, I would recommend that you have all fuses in a good power distribution center and not inline which can be difficult to locate if the fuse blows. At least if all the fuses are at the beginning of the circuit and in a fuse box you're going to be able to service any future issues and the extra circuits in the box will likely be used for future purposes. That was an hour well spent, I sub'd and will be interested in your other videos too.
What is the cut off line from being a Tiny boat and going to something else ? I have a 18’ Smoker Craft deep V I am finishing stripping down . But I am planning to have a console in it , and want to have all my switches in it . Have you done a video on doing a boat like that ? Very interested in seeing the difference in how you would do it . Thanks again for taking the time do do these videos for those of us who need ideals on how to properly set up the wiring . Your videos are excellent in my opinion .
First, I really need to buy a label maker :D Second during the video you stated - "If you run wire to thick and to short you'll actually lose power" This is something i have never heard before so I went to look it up. I was not able to find any info that would support this statement. Where did you find this information and can you please share? I always just thought going to big was just a waste of money.
Great video. You said that if your engine's alternator is connected to a deep cycle batter it will burn out the battery. Point of clarification: the vast majority of outboard motors have stators instead of alternators. Will a stator destroy a battery like an alternator? Again, great video and thanks.
Hi thanks for the video made all my trial and error make sense. Just another question.. lots of accessories come with in line fuses attached, do I need to remove these before going g to a fuse block or have them together with one having a lower fuse rating… or what,,, or just remove? Thanks heaps
The best basic boat wiring video I've watched on TH-cam, I need basic and simple with pictures, but I have one question for you. I have a 24 volt Minn Kota on the bow of my boat, wiring was already there from the boat builder, wiring runs up both sides of the boat to driver's side and passenger side, where the batters are located, to make up the 24v system, through the trolling motor plug, because there is no wire going between the 2 batteries. Sorry for being so long, setting my question up. If I attach a wires to one battery, pos/neg, can I use it as 12 volt battery to run stuff under the dash. I hope this makes sense to u?
Just got a Garmin 73sv that I thought I would just splice in to my motorguide trolling motor. The power for the garmin has its own built in fuse so I thought this would be fine for my bow mount. Is my thinking correct?
Question about using extended terminal bus bars. I was able to get my hands on one of the units that has blade fuses at the positive terminal. I see connecting my Ecomap 75SV , Garmin 7CV, and another accessory as they all take fuses under 5amps (which are easy to find for blades). That said, my 50lb trolling motor calls for a 60amp breaker. Assuming there is one currently installed (i will have to check), how would you run the positive lead to the battery? Would you stack the connection on top of the extended terminal bus bar? underneath? Is there a product that i can plug into one of the bus bar locations to effectively allow the connection of an already breakered accessory? Having to stack it seems to defeat the purpose....
Tons of great info. I just recently got the wiring fixed in my boat for the first time in likely a decade for it, lots of original copper wire. In your opinion (or anyone's here) I'm running two lights as night-time accessories, I'm assuming that's okay off of a single battery for everything?
Looking at the PRO Charging Systems. If I'm shying away from the Professional Series for price reasons, will I still get a benefit going with Sportsmen(10A) or (more likely) the RealPro Series(6A) paired with PCS fuel gauge vs sticking with a ProMariner or Noco model? Thanks for all the work you do sharing your experiences and saving us the time and money from learning from our mistakes. Much appreciated!!
You say your not an electrician so I'm just giving you a piece of advice. Don't take it the wrong way but Oversizing a wire will not cause a trolling motor to lose power. You don't loose watts, volts or amps thus no power loss. It does become more difficult to connect and can be expensive. Power loss though won't happen. If anything the motor will last longer because it will never overheat.
Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but you mentioned to go with a smaller circuit breaker (20-30) between the battery and the switch and before the fuse block. Wouldn’t the breaker need to be equal to the sum of the circuits on the fuse block? My 2 downriggers require 30 amp fuses and then there’s the rest of the items that will be on the fuse block as well. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Great video, you mentioned that you have 2 bilge pumps. 1 as a manual tied in with the rest of the accessories into the switch panel. Can you show how to wire the stand alone automatic pump. I'm assuming straight to the battery with an inline fuse?
Yes one wire or go to a switch and the other wire will go straight to the battery. The wire that goes straight to the battery is the weather the activates the float switch within the auto pump
Great video dought you reall the comments being older vid up so long. But the last 10 or so minutes about wiring the bus bars and live well timer you throw in so much wording and wiring you over whelm the people so fast, need to slow down and show each step and why, I know how to wire I hv built a sand rail and wired it completely all by myself with everything working first go round but a lot of experience behind me. But I learn something every day. Would be nice to see someone do a step by step vid wiring something like this. I can’t even post a how to take a crap vid I don’t hv nothing but a iPhone plus I’m 60+ years old not video highly tech camera electronic savey like yo guys are on posting vid wished I was I could really make some good vids editing etc. haven’t a clue thanks guys
When do you use ring connectors vs lugs? I'm thinking of running 8 AWG wire from the battery, to a switch, to a circuit breaker, to a fuse block. Each step using the appropriate size lug for each connection. I saw you were about to use a ring connector to connect your main power to the fuse block instead of a lug, is there a particular reason?
I'm going to be using a 8 gang switch panel that is pre-wired it comes with 12v dc outlet, 12v dc lighter, USB ports and battery Guage the entire panel is rated for a total of 60 amps what size primary and negative wire coming from the battery do you recommend that I use to power this panel it will be for bilge pump, nav lights, courtesy lights, live well, front driving lights
I've been running Northstar dual batteries for 4 years in 2 different boats with no issues. I did an upgrade to lithium in one boat and it is great. Lithium hub has the ionic battery that will also work as a starter battery!
Boat lectical base kits: tbnation.net/products/weekend-warrior-electrical-kit
Trolling motor wiring kits: tbnation.net/products/trolling-motor-wiring-kits-tbn-official
Graph wiring kits: tbnation.net/products/graph-forward-facing-sonar-wiring-kits-tbn-offical
Boat elecrical safety kits: tbnation.net/products/weekend-warrior-safety-kit
It's like you read my mind... I'm literally wiring my boat THIS WEEKEND! 1977 Mirrocraft, full subfloor install, your live well kit, xi3 trolling motor with pinpoint, Lowrance Elite FS 9, interior LEDs, bow and stern LED nav lights, 2 seven inch light bars for night time romps with the bow, and a dual bilge system!!! You have been inspirational and a hell of a lot of help!!! Thank you!
This is probably the most informative video I’ve seen on boats nice work.
Glad it was helpful!
I don't have enough money to buy or make my own boat right now, but I'm keeping this video on my list very preciously for the future! You are really amazing to be so generous with your time and many advice. This video should have 1M views minimum and I'll buy from one of your links whenever I can. Thank you very much for your generosity and I hope it pays off (in money) because you really deserve it!
This is crazy I'm starting to realize I love working on boats as much as going out in them. Seriously I love fixing my boat. I'm actually restoring a 96 19' Bayliner trophy pro CC. I didn't let the fact it's a Bayliner stop me from buying it 😂. I always liked the Trophy models layout and hull design. This little boat is easy to work on and the stringers floor and transom are in great shape. The wiring is typical Bayliner quality no heat wrap connections and it was your typical past owners spaghetti wires. It took a while but I have heat shrunk every connection I come across and run new wires. Running wires in this boat is pretty easy except for inside the walls. Now I need to set up a battery switch and bus bars to eliminate the spaghetti mess and label each wire coming to the bus bars I like to use clear rubber hose to run miy wires through as a protective sleave for under the deck and up to my connections.
I didn’t get a 7th grade education as I was on my own at 14. After watching this video it’s like I went to collage and got a TH-cam education. Nice work. Perfect content for wiring a boat. Best I have seen on TH-cam. Bravo sir thank you.
This vid is pure gold! Yes it takes some time to view, but has a wealth of information from a voice of experience in wiring boats. A must for anyone wiring their boat. Already applied several things seen here in wiring up my little 14 foot V-bottom. Saved the vid for future reference. A big thank you for doing this!
Thank you so much for this video! I went from feeling overwhelmed and destined to failure, to feeling like "ok I got this". Incredibly helpful video! I will be starting to wire everything in my boat in a few days and I feel so much better now because of this video. I can't thank you enough man!
I have been binge watching your videos. I have a 1978 Sea mist 15' that i'm in the process of restoring and your videos are extremely helpful. Thank you!
Yep, the first time I watched this my eyes glazed over, it took a couple beers to digest. The second and third time it was glorious inspiration. Thank you. Yep, I've got the 2nd grade brain on electricity and the info. for the bus bars and breakers/switches were priceless. Thank you so much for doing this video. As a matter of fact, I've dealt with bigger boats, ie 21" 4Winns and Boston Whalers but never thought that a 16' V Hull would inspire me until now with your video's on how to wire and put in decking. Thank you again.
Absolutely cracking vid mate, hands down best wiring vid on TH-cam. Thank you so much for putting it all together and the thorough explanations. Cheers.
Music not too loud, speed of talking not time-wasting, lack of redundant explanation, comprehendable diagrams...you are the Gold Standard of TH-cam Presentations. I just bought a 30 year old 23 foot cuddy-cabin that sat by the Gulf for 8 years unused and have been researching parts and materials to completely re-wire it: you have saved me probably 50 to 100 hours of online searching. I took notes and drew diagrams. No amount of Thanks could thank you enough.
We’re you successful rewiring the boat? I have a 21ft cuddy that’s in the same shape, all the gauges and switches are trash and everything needs to be pulled out and replaced. Seems very intimidating.
@@battlemasterszone1750 Haven't started yet. Spent many hours sourcing various panels, switches, gauges, wire, connectors, methods of marking wire, fuse-blocks, fiberglass repair methods and products, etc. In the meantime I've experimented with various methods of removing 30 years of gel-coat chalking with great success, sourcing and obtaining trailer fenders and brakes, removing cabin-lining and making 4 hatch covers for inside the cabin. I like to overwhelm myself with information and then let it soak for a few months because I notice I make better decisions that way plus other pieces of data arrive coincidentally. I'm also renovating our motor home, 2 bathrooms and a bedroom in our home. So, everything in it's own time. Thanks for asking. Good luck on your project.
@@choimdachoim9491 that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing, started about 6 weeks ago only to find out majority of the wiring is corroded and needs replaced, and there’s a short somewhere in the gauge cluster. Hoping to have it rewired by spring so I can use it. Thanks for the reply and good luck to you as well.
This is perfect as I've been contemplating how to set up my wiring for my boat, so I can figure out how to build my frame with those hollow walls.
I like to label my wires at both ends with a label ran length wise wrapped around the wire then cover with clear shrink tubing. This uses less label and prevents the ink on the label from rubbing off (it happens in a very short time on race bikes that are constantly getting worked on)
You should probably create a yt channel and show the world how tbnation has changed you life for the better
Great video - I like the way you present information. I think you are very informative without being condescending or overwhelming. I think I will attempt to do some wiring on my boat after watching this. Thank you very much ! Please keep up the good work !
You do a great job man! It makes me happy to see techs that install w/out cutting corners. Pretty rare these days. Also,Thanks for the knowledge. You saved me several years on the learning curve!
I'm not a tech, but thanks.
Yes completely agree with the bilge pump topic, ALWAYS have backup. I run 2 600gph, 1 800gph and have a manual one! But I also have wash down pumps and other things I may forget to turn off lol.
A Boat Wiring project is like a lot of engineering projects, it boils down to an accounting challenge. Keeping track of wires' connections, wire' types, etc. is where account skills would come in handy.
I’m watching your video because I made the mistake of wiring up my lighting system in the Jeep with Amazon’s copper clad wire. In less than a year, it is literally rotting from the inside out. I need to start over the right way, Thanks for the video.
Absolutely cool bilge pump’s wiring instructions
Wow, I thought I knew most of this but I am so wrong! Have subscribed! The point about insulation wearing off wire is so true. My Lund accessory wire was not properly fastened so the insulation wore off and there was a short seeking a ground burning it’s way to the fuel tank sending unit. We seeing the smoke turned off our engine just in time - before the boom under our feet!
I like the expanding sleeve. Thanks!!
Voltage Drop - that's why you need heavy wire for longer DC runs. Even Tesla and Edison battled over this subject.
Thanks for this effort. I need to rewire our boat, started it already. But i needed more info. So i’m very grateful for this. Its not a fishing boat but i now saw what i need to do.
I’m gonna make a plan based on this.
Greetings from Holland
No prob
I learned about relays the hard way when I first started building custom trucks. Definitely bringing those with me to my 14x48 build.
Also thinking about using a custom 18650 lithium battery build.
Can't wait to get started.
Hi dear do you need help getting a new boat?
Picking up my hatches and livewell from nate next weekend! this video couldnt have came at a more perfect time. thanks
AWESOME video! I just bought an OLD bass boat that needs pretty much everything cleaned, restored, or replaced and these videos will be my go-to for how-to. I have a slight advantage in that my son will help me and he is training to be a marine electrician/electronics for some things that go under the ocean ;-) and I have a good basic knowledge of electricity and electronics myself. Can't wait to get into it! SUBSCRIBED!
I wish you luck! A bass boat is a chore.
Just to ease your mind on soilder sleeves. I used to build wiring harnesses for a major airplane company that we all know and love. That is the only proper way to connect one length of wire to another according to them and their engineers. Just food for thought.
That is one bad ass tiny fishing rig .
Always use the velcro wire ties, never zip ties.
Easier to get into if you need to add, remove or pull slack if you've had to change a connector.
I'm in the telecomm industry so I run a *lot* of wiring, industry standard these days are the velcro wraps.
I’m in telecommunications too lol. Velcro is just the standard now. For any kind of low voltage wire. Never, ever use zip ties. There’s a reason they were only used for a few years by us amateurs. If anything use your zip ties to hold your job in place until you get back from the hardware store with Velcro 🤓
great video thanks for the breakdown and simplification to better understand the complexity and madness that is wiring a boat!
Bro this is one of the most informative videos I watched. If your building tiny boats like myself this info is so important. 👍👍 thumbs up!!!
Thank you, much appreciated.
Great video, but……..as a guy who was a licensed and bonded electrician back in the day, I’m not sure where this idea that running too thick of wiring will cause power loss is coming from. Power loss is due to voltage drop. Voltage drop is directly correlated with the thickness of the wire. Thicker wire will ALWAYS carry power farther before experiencing voltage drop. Always. Less resistance=less voltage drop
Awesome mate ...great info.
Amazing video, thanks for the knowledge and ideas for my boat!
Hi dear do you need help getting a new boat?
You're the man for this video! I've been putting off the wiring on my build because it seemed so daunting but your broke this down very well
Thank you! Much appreciated
Excellent job Mike,this will be super helpful for any beginner or advanced 👍
Hi dear do you need help getting a new boat?
@@clarawilliams2052 no thank you,I very happy with my boat,thanks again and have a GREAT day
Wish you were my neighbor.....awesome stuff!!!!
Good info, thanks!
Very nice install and very comprehensive video. I love to see the attention to detail, creativity and fabrication skills you show. Too many hacks like to pick up tools lol. I don't understand how you can do such a nice job all the way up to the battery compartment and then land it all like at 18:48, especially when you are so familiar with those nice little fuse blocks. If that was my boat, and I was going thru the trouble and expense, there would only be 1 or 2 main wires on my battery terminals, feeding those fuse blocks. I'm guessing the final install was cleaned up, just haven't made it to the end of the video yet. A couple corrections I will offer: thicker and shorter wires are ALWAYS better to run a load on, ESPECIALLY in low voltage DC circuits - the down side is heavier, harder to route and more expensive. And relays are most beneficial in these low voltage systems. The current draw (along with distance, ambient temperature, etc) is mainly what determines wire size. So, by using these relays, you could wire, say, a remote switch panel and use all smaller gauge wire to the panel, while keeping the relays and heavy gauge wire near the batteries, for instance. Just a couple little things to add. OUTSTANDING JOB THOUGH!!!
awesome video!
another advantage of a relay is that, lets say for a trolling motor, you want to run #6 wire. you don't have to run that #6 wire thru your switch. you will use "control wires" (that are much smaller) to control the relay's coil using the switch on the dash. You could have a battery up front next to your trolling motor. Install a relay between the battery and the trolling motor, run control wires from your dash switch to the relay. Hit the switch, coil engages in relay completes circuit and allows the voltage from trolling motor battery to flow thru #6 wire. (btw they make 24 or 36vdc relays (load side) with 12vdc (control/switch side).
Good stuff!! I’m about to rewire my 1966 Starcraft
Thanks Mike. Tons and tons of great info.
Wow thank you I was going to just run my power to the fish finder off the bus. Darn back to the drawing board 😂.
Learned a lot thanks 😊
Only reason I ran two relays was for the LED inside the ski boat and the underwater LEDs to tie it to the courtesy lights and avoid adding an off brand switch the panel.
Hi dear do you need help getting a new boat?
So true about using marine grade wire. I learned the hard way. I used trailer wire to wire my bow light...huge mistake it lasted about 2 weeks then had to pull off the entire rub rail again to run the actual marine grade wire. The trailer wire literally came out in pieces. Uugghh
What a great video and so helpful. Thank you so much!!!
You guys did a fantastic job.
I wish I could wire a boat too.😁😁
But you can! THAT'S WHY I made this hour-long guide!
100 watt solar panel is about 5 amp harbor freight sells them !
You should really look into a kapten boat collar. Made by a guy named pete in Australia. I have them on my 14ft and it's changed the boat completely! I honestly think ALL tiny boats should have a collar.
Nice video. I was confused on function of bus bars. Planning now to use fuse/bus bar combo now that I have seen this.
Very, very helpful. Thanks
No prob
Wow you really did cover everything... I will be referring to this a time or 7 😉
Merci beaucoup ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
great man...master of DIY
Great info man, thanks.
Great video!
You did very well in most of the video and the only area that you could use some strengthening in was the relays, which essentially are 2 circuits, a Low Current and a High Current circuit, regardless of the voltage. Generally the relays are to protect the switch from the heat generated by the Higher current flow, for example the starter would be actuated by the high current side of the relay, etc.
Additionally, I would recommend that you have all fuses in a good power distribution center and not inline which can be difficult to locate if the fuse blows. At least if all the fuses are at the beginning of the circuit and in a fuse box you're going to be able to service any future issues and the extra circuits in the box will likely be used for future purposes.
That was an hour well spent, I sub'd and will be interested in your other videos too.
Great video alot good info great job
Excellent video
Thank you.
What is the cut off line from being a Tiny boat and going to something else ? I have a 18’ Smoker Craft deep V I am finishing stripping down . But I am planning to have a console in it , and want to have all my switches in it . Have you done a video on doing a boat like that ? Very interested in seeing the difference in how you would do it .
Thanks again for taking the time do do these videos for those of us who need ideals on how to properly set up the wiring . Your videos are excellent in my opinion .
There is no cut off. Probably 30 feet if we’re being honest.
First, I really need to buy a label maker :D
Second during the video you stated - "If you run wire to thick and to short you'll actually lose power"
This is something i have never heard before so I went to look it up. I was not able to find any info that would support this statement. Where did you find this information and can you please share?
I always just thought going to big was just a waste of money.
Hi dear do you need help getting a new boat?
Those were my thoughts exactly. That's the first time I heard that claim as well. Perhaps he can elaborate or provide a link to support it.
That’s wrong, it’s not possible having to thick cable. You can only lose powers with to thin cables!
Great video. You said that if your engine's alternator is connected to a deep cycle batter it will burn out the battery. Point of clarification: the vast majority of outboard motors have stators instead of alternators. Will a stator destroy a battery like an alternator? Again, great video and thanks.
omg - incredible, thank you!
Thanks
Power actually flows from the negative terminal to the positive - but otherwise great video!
Hi thanks for the video made all my trial and error make sense. Just another question.. lots of accessories come with in line fuses attached, do I need to remove these before going g to a fuse block or have them together with one having a lower fuse rating… or what,,, or just remove? Thanks heaps
DUDE I WISH YOU WOULD COME DO MY BOAT. VERY NICE WORK.
Thank you!
No prob
The best basic boat wiring video I've watched on TH-cam, I need basic and simple with pictures, but I have one question for you. I have a 24 volt Minn Kota on the bow of my boat, wiring was already there from the boat builder, wiring runs up both sides of the boat to driver's side and passenger side, where the batters are located, to make up the 24v system, through the trolling motor plug, because there is no wire going between the 2 batteries. Sorry for being so long, setting my question up. If I attach a wires to one battery, pos/neg, can I use it as 12 volt battery to run stuff under the dash. I hope this makes sense to u?
Now I wish you guys could do a step by step diy how to frame your boat deck. For the really newbies like me. The stupid ones.
We do have that
@Anthony Jones; I've got these lights, and they are really nice. What is your recommandation for a premium stern navigation white light?
Just got a Garmin 73sv that I thought I would just splice in to my motorguide trolling motor. The power for the garmin has its own built in fuse so I thought this would be fine for my bow mount. Is my thinking correct?
good information
Thank you!
Question about using extended terminal bus bars. I was able to get my hands on one of the units that has blade fuses at the positive terminal. I see connecting my Ecomap 75SV , Garmin 7CV, and another accessory as they all take fuses under 5amps (which are easy to find for blades). That said, my 50lb trolling motor calls for a 60amp breaker. Assuming there is one currently installed (i will have to check), how would you run the positive lead to the battery? Would you stack the connection on top of the extended terminal bus bar? underneath? Is there a product that i can plug into one of the bus bar locations to effectively allow the connection of an already breakered accessory? Having to stack it seems to defeat the purpose....
Just loaded my first video.. How to build a tiny boat Cyber Craft. The Lotec
Hi dear do you need help getting a new boat?
I like using the dual purpose marine batteries then I can use one battery for accessories and starter.
Overloading the battery is not smart
Tons of great info. I just recently got the wiring fixed in my boat for the first time in likely a decade for it, lots of original copper wire. In your opinion (or anyone's here) I'm running two lights as night-time accessories, I'm assuming that's okay off of a single battery for everything?
You need separate batteries.
What about the switch to the trim? Can you just have a simple switch just like all the other ones? Do you keep the wiring harness from the motor?
Looking at the PRO Charging Systems. If I'm shying away from the Professional Series for price reasons, will I still get a benefit going with Sportsmen(10A) or (more likely) the RealPro Series(6A) paired with PCS fuel gauge vs sticking with a ProMariner or Noco model? Thanks for all the work you do sharing your experiences and saving us the time and money from learning from our mistakes. Much appreciated!!
You say your not an electrician so I'm just giving you a piece of advice. Don't take it the wrong way but Oversizing a wire will not cause a trolling motor to lose power. You don't loose watts, volts or amps thus no power loss.
It does become more difficult to connect and can be expensive. Power loss though won't happen. If anything the motor will last longer because it will never overheat.
Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but you mentioned to go with a smaller circuit breaker (20-30) between the battery and the switch and before the fuse block. Wouldn’t the breaker need to be equal to the sum of the circuits on the fuse block? My 2 downriggers require 30 amp fuses and then there’s the rest of the items that will be on the fuse block as well. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Depends on what weather you're in period I always run a lower breaker for cold weather
Awesome work and informative video for a 7th grader! LOL
Would love to know where you found it got that black, white, grey cammo pattern carpet or neoprene flooring cover at? Any help greatly appreciated
Tbnation.net -> hydroturf-> snow cam
Great video, you mentioned that you have 2 bilge pumps. 1 as a manual tied in with the rest of the accessories into the switch panel. Can you show how to wire the stand alone automatic pump. I'm assuming straight to the battery with an inline fuse?
Yes one wire or go to a switch and the other wire will go straight to the battery. The wire that goes straight to the battery is the weather the activates the float switch within the auto pump
Great video dought you reall the comments being older vid up so long. But the last 10 or so minutes about wiring the bus bars and live well timer you throw in so much wording and wiring you over whelm the people so fast, need to slow down and show each step and why, I know how to wire I hv built a sand rail and wired it completely all by myself with everything working first go round but a lot of experience behind me. But I learn something every day. Would be nice to see someone do a step by step vid wiring something like this. I can’t even post a how to take a crap vid I don’t hv nothing but a iPhone plus I’m 60+ years old not video highly tech camera electronic savey like yo guys are on posting vid wished I was I could really make some good vids editing etc. haven’t a clue thanks guys
Can you tell me what battery cable specifications l need for a Yamaha 55hp 2 stroke motor?
Use 8awg for anything after 5 feet if it’s longer than 5 feet use 6awg
@@TinyBoatNation Thanks a million my brother.
When do you use ring connectors vs lugs? I'm thinking of running 8 AWG wire from the battery, to a switch, to a circuit breaker, to a fuse block. Each step using the appropriate size lug for each connection. I saw you were about to use a ring connector to connect your main power to the fuse block instead of a lug, is there a particular reason?
You can use either or but the only time you would really use lugs is for battery terminals or really thick wire to batteries
Good shit bro
I'm going to be using a 8 gang switch panel that is pre-wired it comes with 12v dc outlet, 12v dc lighter, USB ports and battery Guage the entire panel is rated for a total of 60 amps what size primary and negative wire coming from the battery do you recommend that I use to power this panel it will be for bilge pump, nav lights, courtesy lights, live well, front driving lights
There's an app for calculating wire size Blue Sea Systems circuit wizard. Basically it depends on the distance and amperage/voltage variables.
Why can't I use NMW - CU waterproof wiring with waterproof connectors and waterproof heat shrink it costs 1/10 th the price of marine wiring
What plug and receptacle for a 24 volt trolling motor would you recommend that’s not breaking the bank?
They have cheap ones on Amazon and also on our store. Just search trolling motor plug
If only fish knew what we do for them.
lol
👍
My Amazon ratcheting crumpets work great. Just saying.
What’s your opinion on dual purpose battery’s?
Don’t do it
I've been running Northstar dual batteries for 4 years in 2 different boats with no issues. I did an upgrade to lithium in one boat and it is great. Lithium hub has the ionic battery that will also work as a starter battery!
@7:09 .. ... ... lol.. heat guns are fairly cheap or are they pretty expensive? Haha
They can be cheap. Shop around on amazon.
Funny enough people use to use positive grounds
You can't lose power by running bigger cable. It's impossible
With only 12v, yes you can.
@@TinyBoatNation No you can’t, thicker cables have less resistant and therefore an easier flow. It’s basic electric mathematics.
Yeah, he got that wrong. But still a good video overall.