HELP! Wiring a Catalina 22

[kenai]

I bought a Catalina 22 this last season and have enjoyed every bit of every day on the water since. I have mastered the trailering and raising the mast single-handedly. My next project this fall is to upgrade the electronics. I haven't dug deep into the system as of yet, but thought I would look for some help with the overall setup.

This is what I want to include in my system: I purchases an inverter as well as an 18 watt solar panel to help keep the system charged. I want to attach a stereo (speakers are already there), a marine radio, and a depth sounder. I also have a small microwave that can be plugged directly into the inverter when used.

The battery has a busbar next to it,which I think might be many of the accessories: the stereo, marine radio ect, which don't work. There is also a power cord running to the compass, which is new to me. This also does not seem to be working properly. The battery has a positive and negative which I think comes from the small outboard. I am not sure where the overall system is grounded.

Any idea what the best setup would be given the inverter, solar panel and all of the accessories? I certainly would not be running everything at the same time. The interior and exterior lights seem to be fine by the way. I am sure the mastlight doesn't work, but they never do.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Well, I'll throw in a thought here. The C22 does not really have a grounding system, it just all goes to the battery negative post. Without an inboard engine, prop shaft, etc. under water, the need for a "boat ground" isn't really needed. That's a good thing. If you do have a buss bar for ground wires, so much the better. It's really that simple.
The stereo, marine radio, and depth sounder will work for days without any input, but the running lights are another story. Incandescent bulbs love power. Ditch 'em, and go LED and you'll be way ahead of the game.
If you had posted this on 'Ask All Sailors', by now you would have scads of replies about your solar panel, and inverter questions. But to spare you all the amp-hour techno babble, when you turn on that microwave hooked to an inverter, THERE'S where your power will go. Immediately. An 18 watt panel might give ten at best, and probably not. It may be useful to keep the radios alive, but I don't think the panel in itself would even keep up with those demands. Truth is, a microwave is such a consumer of power I would be hesitant to use it without MUCH more power, and then only briefly.
Seriously, I would repost this to Ask All Sailors, and those guys that spend a lot of time figuring power requirements will give you probably more info than you want. But it's relevant info.
And I like your statement about anchor lights not working. I've got more electronic crap on my boat than I know what to do with, and I don't think mine works. Don't care. These idiot clowns on these overpowered 'look at me' boats act like they can't see a 50 foot boat in daylight, much less a small light 60 feet in the air. And as in poor form as it may be, if I'm awake and see one of these things bearing down on me, I put a million candlepower spotlight right square on the helm. I tend to get very nasty when some idiot threatens my/our safety.

Oh yeah, betcha miss that E27 huh?

 

[Bilbo]

The power cord running to the compass is most likely for a night light.

Our boat has a fuse panel inside. The accessories is used to power a humminbird fish finder. Primarily used for water temp., depth and trying to find the odd plesiosaur.

Agree with Chris about the LED lights and the microwave. ...not that things like that haven't been done. ... some suggestions would involve a 2nd battery.

We don't have a solar charger and generally, our outboard is sufficient to keep the battery charged but then again, we don't use the nav lights very often and don't use accessories like sound systems. Not that I'm against the amenities. To each their own as far as fun goes. We use our time to chat and enjoy the peace and quiet... or then again, our barking dogs or the raging weather.

I like cooking out and camping situations. So, we use a one burner stove with a 2nd burner grill. Planning and making decent food is usually a fun challenge. Simple and good is a goal. If we could sleep aboard, we would probably need more things.

 

[Jim Eller]

I am interested in converting my incandescent running lights to LED for my Catalina 22. I am looking for suggestions about making the conversion.

 

[Milton.Audas]

Converting to LED is easy. i did the same thing during the last off-season and my power usage is so much more efficient. I bought my running lights on Amazon. delivered in 2 days, installed easily, work great. no more issues. wired as direct relacements with existing wiring harnesses (but check your harnesses and connections for suitable condition just to be sure).
Starboard : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O0DL2O/ref=ox_ya_os_product
Port : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O0DL06/ref=ox_ya_os_product
Masthead : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XAD6O0/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Stern : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GBW9YY/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also converted all of the interior lights to the LED offerings from CD. Installed in minutes !

I'm also planning re-wiring all of the switchboards and terminals from the archaic system that came with the boat. Something to do over the Winter months...


cheers,

Milton

 

[Milton.Audas]

Hey guys. Just had another thought... Has anyone installed a wind generator (that would be great in light winds !! I meant a small wind turbine) on a C-22 ?? Even the apparent wind might charge batteries and run electronics ??? I think for sure that Alan D or Chris P may have some thoughts on that