Check my wiring diagram?

[Beth G]

Hi Scott, and thanks for the compliment! This isnt my first foray into the world of electrical, but is my first time dealing with DC devices!

that switch panel is a circuit breaker/rocker switch panel that also includes a voltage gauge, a usb charger, and a vugarette lighter adapter. We don't really intend to use those chargers unless we are idiots and forget our portable chargers. There's one set of wires to run power to/from the switches, and a second set for the gauge and chargers.

My charger is a ProSport 20 plus, it plugs into an outlet on the AC system, which i only use by connecting to shore power.

the 1/2/B seitch is going to be a PITA - it will be on "1" when we want to start the engine, 2 when we want to use the electronics in the cabin, and essentially never on both. I just want it so that if something goes wrong with the start battery, I have the ability to start the motor from the cranking battery. I am unable to pull-start any devices due to shoulder issues, so that's not an acceptable "back up" for me.

Beth, you put together an excellent diagram. With Dave's comments and the reading that John recommended you will be on your way to having a first class understanding about how electrics is done on a boat. I have a few questions & comments:

• "Charges, Gauge" - I assume these are volt meters on your panel? They provide you with battery voltages for both the house and start battery? With added expense and installation complexity, you might consider a battery monitor for better understanding of the battery's condition.
• I might be missing something, but I don't see where your battery charger is introduced into the diagram. Typically, the charger is linked directly to the house bank (battery) - often via a positive buss that connects all charging sources (including alternator source). I understand your system is much simpler with an outboard. The charging current is then fed to the start battery via automatic charging relay (ACR) or echo charger, or simply by alternating the 1/2/B switch position appropriately.
• BTW, how do you use the 1/2/B switch? I won't assume that you don't know how to operate the switch, but if you aren't aware, the switch requires some knowledge about how it works. If you aren't operating the switch in the appropriate manner, you may not be loading or charging your batteries properly or you may be combining both batteries improperly. It would be helpful if you describe your typical routine as it relates to the switch.

 

[Beth G]

Haha well it is we, but I'm the one who put my foot down and said the batteries don't get connected again until the wiring is replaced. You don't even want to know what issues I found when I saw it all got the first time. He is anxious to get back out on the lake.

@Beth G I was kinda hoping that would have been: "I appreciate it and look forward to telling my husband WE'RE safe to sail!" ....

Just yesterday I watched a solo woman sailor back her Hinckley into a slip making it look like it was easy.... (it's not)....

dj

 

[Beth G]

Ok, so taking everything into consideration, here's my brand new diagram!

 

[Beth G]

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let everyone know that we have finished the rewiring project and it was pretty much a compete success - the only it not fu ctuonimg at this point is the mast light, which we will address after we pull her out for the winter. We have no intention right now of being out in conditions that would require the lights to be on, and as a failsafe we have a headlamp that we can lash to the mast, and a handheld floodlamp as well.

Now on to the next part of the fun - tracing down where the two leaks are. We get a slow but steady trickle into the cabin in three spots. I suspect one is from the hinges on the seating/storage compartments, but the other two are further forward and could be from several items - portlights, grab rail, knotmeter, cleats...fun fun fun!

We've taken her out a couple times, and are slowly but surely learning the ropes, so to speak. Tons of fun!!!

 

[dLj]

Enjoy!

Great feedback!

dj

 

[jviss]

We have no intention right now of being out in conditions that would require the lights to be on

Conditions requiring lights can sneak up on you. In reduced visibility, e.g., fog, when motoring, even during the day, you need that light, known as a steaming light.

a headlamp that we can lash to the mast

Good idea! But probably won't meet the 2 mi. visibility requirement. I'm thinking of a backup steaming light as mine is out, so I'm considering making a strap to hold a steaming light with LED bulb, plus a LiIon battery pack.

 

[jviss]

You know, @Beth G , I want to say thank you! Often people show up here with close to zero posts and ask something like "my electric don't work, what do you think is wrong?" And forum members launch into 20 questions: what kind of boat, what are the symptoms, do you have a wiring diagram, etc., etc. You, however, showed up with a wiring diagram! Wow. Very nice. I'm glad your rewiring project worked out well. Fair winds and following seas to you!

 

[kappykaplan]

You know, @Beth G , I want to say thank you! Often people show up here with close to zero posts and ask something like "my electric don't work, what do you think is wrong?" And forum members launch into 20 questions: what kind of boat, what are the symptoms, do you have a wiring diagram, etc., etc. You, however, showed up with a wiring diagram! Wow. Very nice. I'm glad your rewiring project worked out well. Fair winds and following seas to you!

 

[Beth G]

Conditions requiring lights can sneak up on you. In reduced visibility, e.g., fog, when motoring, even during the day, you need that light, known as a steaming light.

Good idea! But probably won't meet the 2 mi. visibility requirement. I'm thinking of a backup steaming light as mine is out, so I'm considering making a strap to hold a steaming light with LED bulb, plus a LiIon battery pack.

Honestly, fog on the southern shore of lake ontario is not something to suddenly appears in the middle of the afternoon - our fog comes in during early morning and then burns off. We also are sticking to absolutely ideal weather conditions (no sign of potential rain, partly cloudy at the most, no wind above 12mph...)

We will, however, use the flood light instead of the headlamp should something unforseen happen. Really this would be a scenario where our engine (a brand spanking new mercury outboard, so likely not) stops working - even the freaking rudder could fall off the boat and we can still steer with the outboard lol. Hubby is, of course, ready to strangle me with all the safety precautions I'm making us take

 

[Beth G]

Thanks so much! All the input we received here was very helpful!

 

[kappykaplan]

Thanks so much! All the input we received here was very helpful!

We have a great group of sailors that routinely contribute.

 

[jibes138]

Conditions requiring lights can sneak up on you. In reduced visibility, e.g., fog, when motoring, even during the day, you need that light, known as a steaming light.

Good idea! But probably won't meet the 2 mi. visibility requirement. I'm thinking of a backup steaming light as mine is out, so I'm considering making a strap to hold a steaming light with LED bulb, plus a LiIon battery pack.

[QUOTE="jviss, post: 1795291, member: 66876"

Good idea! But probably won't meet the 2 mi. visibility requirement. I'm thinking of a backup steaming light as mine is out, so I'm considering making a strap to hold a steaming light with LED bulb, plus a LiIon battery pack.
[/QUOTE]
Hey an anchor light is an acceptable steaming light provided you black out the stern light. A motor boat requires an all around white light. A sailboat uses the combined mast light and stern light to meet this requirement. An anchor light at the masthead does the same thing provided the stern light is not illuminated. Just throw a towel over it and you should be legal.

 

[Beth G]

Yeah...if only I had an anchor light. But I do have the wires available to add it when we take our mast down!!

 

[dLj]

Yeah...if only I had an anchor light. But I do have the wires available to add it when we take our mast down!!

I used to hang a wind proof kerosine lantern as my anchor light on a boat I had years ago just in the rigging. It's legal!

dj

 

[jviss]

I used to hang a wind proof kerosine lantern as my anchor light on a boat I had years ago just in the rigging. It's legal!

dj

Is it legal? Does it make the 2 mi. vis standard?

 

[dLj]

Is it legal? Does it make the 2 mi. vis standard?

Yes it does - of course you have to know how big the wick is and such. Kerosine lights were the first lights used in that standard. I used to have an old boat (very old) that had all running lights using kerosine lamps. The red and green lights were mounted in a large wooden structure that made the side viewing angle correct, as well as a different wooden structure for the stern light. The kerosine lamps were held in by flat clips. You took the lamp out to light it, the red and green were the colors of the lens in the lamp, and when you clipped it back into the wooden "blinder" you got the correct angle. The all around anchor light was simply the stern running light you took out and pulled into your rigging. All lenses on all three lamps were 360 degrees, the angles were created through the wooden structure the lamp was held into. Other systems, I'm sure you've seen, were built with brass housing that created the angle, those were not 360 lenses. But they were not the only systems used, just the ones you tend to see in the antiques stores.

dj

 

[jviss]

Yes it does - of course you have to know how big the wick is and such. Kerosine lights were the first lights used in that standard. I used to have an old boat (very old) that had all running lights using kerosine lamps. The red and green lights were mounted in a large wooden structure that made the side viewing angle correct, as well as a different wooden structure for the stern light. The kerosine lamps were held in by flat clips. You took the lamp out to light it, the red and green were the colors of the lens in the lamp, and when you clipped it back into the wooden "blinder" you got the correct angle. The all around anchor light was simply the stern running light you took out and pulled into your rigging. All lenses on all three lamps were 360 degrees, the angles were created through the wooden structure the lamp was held into. Other systems, I'm sure you've seen, were built with brass housing that created the angle, those were not 360 lenses. But they were not the only systems used, just the ones you tend to see in the antiques stores.

dj

That's cool. However, I'd prefer to not have to handle kerosene on board, especially when LED lights are so bright and so efficient!

 

[kappykaplan]

especially when LED lights are so bright and so efficient!

 

[dLj]

That's cool. However, I'd prefer to not have to handle kerosene on board, especially when LED lights are so bright and so efficient!

But do they meet the 2 mi requirement? hahahahaha (I know the answer to this)

Actually, I quite prefer the light of kerosine lamps over the intense white light of many LEDs. Once you learn how to handle kerosine on board, it's actually quite easy and safe.

dj

 

[jviss]

But do they meet the 2 mi requirement? hahahahaha (I know the answer to this)

I'm not sure what you think the answer is; many light manufacturers sell USCG certified lights with LED bulbs.