I have an 86 Hunter 31 and was doing some rewiring. I cannot identify a couple of wires coming out of the pedestal area in the starboard lazarette. One is a larger gauge green wire. Not sure if that is supposed to go to the battery or is a ground of some kind. The other are two light gauge wires, blue and brown that are sheathed in a brown or black cover. I have no idea what they do. I think they were also attached to the battery. Maybe the light for the compass? Can't tell which is pos and which is negative. Thanks.
Pedestal Wiring
- Thread starter wufibugs
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Wufi,
The smaller gage wires are probably for the compass light. Turn on the compass light switch on the DC panel, and connect a DC voltmeter to needles that you use to pierce thru the insulated concuctors. You can measure the voltage between the wires with the switch off and on to confirm that it is for the compass light. You can also tell polarity of the wires. My guess is that the Green wire is a ground for pedistal metal.
Dick
The smaller gage wires are probably for the compass light. Turn on the compass light switch on the DC panel, and connect a DC voltmeter to needles that you use to pierce thru the insulated concuctors. You can measure the voltage between the wires with the switch off and on to confirm that it is for the compass light. You can also tell polarity of the wires. My guess is that the Green wire is a ground for pedistal metal.
Dick
Thanks, Dick. I don't know why I didn't think of just running my meter between the heavier gauge wire and the pedestal to test for continuity. Duh! I don't recall their being a panel switch for the compass lighting on the DC panel. In fact, I'm not even sure there is lighting for the compass since I have never used it in the dark. The wiring for the autohelm must run the same way, but I can't imagine it could be such light gauge wire. If the green heavier wire is not a ground, perhaps that is the autohelm wire? I don't ever recall seeing a really good wiring diagram for the 86 Hunters. I did notice that they were pretty sloppy about it, using lots of spade connectors, no shrink tubing, and they do not, as is now required, have anything that isolates the AC and DC wiring on the panel. Speaking of which, has anyone retrofitted some kind of cover that accomplishes this?
As a wiring matter, that makes good sense, Tom. I wonder, where does the wiring from the port cockpit "dashboard" instruments and starter button run? Does it come around in the aft lockers or what? My kingdom for a nice wiring diagram.
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