Wiring design and replacement
My H31 is 1985 and has the same "wiring harness." After doing a little research on whether it was done by the previous owner or by the factory, I discovered the factory did it that way. (Not sure HOW it's done on new boats.) Anyway, the idea was that it is easier to run a single line than multiple lines and it is easier to attach a single line versus multiple lines to the terminal block near or on the back of the DC Power Panel. (If you power panel is under the companion hatch you can probably see how little space exists there.) Another point to support the "single wire theory" is the unlikelihood that all the cabin lights on a lil' ol' 31' would need to be on at the same time thus reducing the load required by the wire. This is why the bigger boats have seperate breakers for Port and Starboard Cabin Lights. It is far more likely that the galley, head, salon, and at least one stateroom/berth will have lights on at the same time. I have had to replace two butt connectors with the type that have heat-shrink tubing around them. The originals were not heat-shrunk on the wire and the wire corroded. I have not had any other issues with the wiring. Well, make that the "factory" wiring. Several installations of after market equipment, such as the autopilot power supply cable, were really horrible and had to be replaced with real marine grade "stuff". The Quality Assurance Inspector was probably there the day your boat shipped but he may have been looking at a different boat. Wiring sounds like it was installed correctly, but better connections should have been made to eliminate the problems your having. On the other hand, the boat is 16 years old and if your on the coast/salt water, well, this happens to non-waterproof anything. Jay
