Please recommend a good book on wiring a boat for beginners. Local
book stores and local marine supply stores only have limited number of
books on wiring, and they tend to be for advanced topics -- like wiring
a sailing boat with all kind of goodies. All I want are basic stuffs
like simple wiring diagram, and stuff for VHF radio... Preferably with
plenty of color pictures.

Any suggestion? Thanks.

Jay Chan

wrote:
: Please recommend a good book on wiring a boat for beginners. Local
: book stores and local marine supply stores only have limited number of
: books on wiring, and they tend to be for advanced topics -- like wiring
: a sailing boat with all kind of goodies. All I want are basic stuffs
: like simple wiring diagram, and stuff for VHF radio... Preferably with
: plenty of color pictures.

: Any suggestion? Thanks.

: Jay Chan

Wow. Lotsa questions guy...

I know of no book on boat wiring. However, googling "boat wiring" provides
lots of information. http://www.screamandfly.com/home/hul...4/wiring_1.htm is one link that is pretty good.

Also try searching the trailerboats.com archives for boat wiring articles.

Main thing is to keep any exposed wiring from corroding via using
"liquid tape" (see westmarine's website for it) or dielectric grease.
Just take a look under the shroud of your Mercury for visuals on how to
attach terminal lugs, etc.

Additionally, use marine grade switches, etc. (again, westmarine.com).

It's all pretty much common sense. There are no "generic" boat wiring
diagrams typically. Corrosion and work hardening of the wires at the
terminals are your main "enemies". Use lots of tiewraps to keep wirings
from moving to eliminate the latter.

b.

wrote:
: Please recommend a good book on wiring a boat for beginners. Local
: book stores and local marine supply stores only have limited number of
: books on wiring, and they tend to be for advanced topics -- like wiring
: a sailing boat with all kind of goodies. All I want are basic stuffs
: like simple wiring diagram, and stuff for VHF radio... Preferably with
: plenty of color pictures.

: Any suggestion? Thanks.

: Jay Chan


I'll eat my hat (so to speak) on "no books regarding boat wiring".
Just found one: http://www.sheridanhouse.com/catalog...oatwiring.html

Start out by checking the links at:

http://www.geocities.com/bill_dietri...tml#Electrical

John

http://www.geocities.com/bill_dietri...tml#Electrical

Thanks. I will take a look. That web site has quite a lot of links to
go through...

Jay Chan

wrote:
Please recommend a good book on wiring a boat for beginners. Local
book stores and local marine supply stores only have limited number of
books on wiring, and they tend to be for advanced topics -- like wiring
a sailing boat with all kind of goodies. All I want are basic stuffs
like simple wiring diagram, and stuff for VHF radio... Preferably with
plenty of color pictures.

Any suggestion? Thanks.

Jay Chan

There's a good book called "The 12-Volt Bible".

Also, there is a lot of basic wiring information available on the ANCOR
web site.

A few general tips before you go off to study up on what the actual
experts have to say:

1. Take the time to calculate the maximum load on each circuit, measure
the distance from the battery to the load (and back), and get a large
enough wire for the job. Lots of people use wire that is too small, and
then wonder why they don't have sufficient voltage for reliable
operation.

2. Buy stranded, tinned, marine wire. Don't try to get by with the
cheaper automotive grade. You will spend not that much for for the wire
itself, when the scope of the entire project is considered, but it will
make the difference between a really good result and something that
will work only temporarily or intermittently.

3. Pay way careful attention to your connections. Use properly crimped
hardware, make sure the terminals are clean, and consider using a "heat
shrink" cover to keep water and salt away from your connection.

4. If you have a lot of connections, use a panel or at least a buss bar
rather than glom a spiderweb of crap onto the battery terminal.

wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:
Please recommend a good book on wiring a boat for beginners. Local
book stores and local marine supply stores only have limited number of
books on wiring, and they tend to be for advanced topics -- like wiring
a sailing boat with all kind of goodies. All I want are basic stuffs
like simple wiring diagram, and stuff for VHF radio... Preferably with
plenty of color pictures.

Any suggestion? Thanks.

Jay Chan

There's a good book called "The 12-Volt Bible".

Also, there is a lot of basic wiring information available on the ANCOR
web site.

A few general tips before you go off to study up on what the actual
experts have to say:

1. Take the time to calculate the maximum load on each circuit, measure
the distance from the battery to the load (and back), and get a large
enough wire for the job. Lots of people use wire that is too small, and
then wonder why they don't have sufficient voltage for reliable
operation.

2. Buy stranded, tinned, marine wire. Don't try to get by with the
cheaper automotive grade. You will spend not that much for for the wire
itself, when the scope of the entire project is considered, but it will
make the difference between a really good result and something that
will work only temporarily or intermittently.

3. Pay way careful attention to your connections. Use properly crimped
hardware, make sure the terminals are clean, and consider using a "heat
shrink" cover to keep water and salt away from your connection.

4. If you have a lot of connections, use a panel or at least a buss bar
rather than glom a spiderweb of crap onto the battery terminal.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/007...books&v=glance

And I coat all connections with liquid tape.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/007...books&v=glance

Thanks. You are the second person in this message thread who has
recommended the book "The 12 Volts Bible for Boats". I will definitely
take a look of this book one more time.

And I coat all connections with liquid tape.

Does the liquid tape replace the use of heat shrink tube for wiring
connection and replace the use of grease for connections on battery
terminals? I cannot quite picture the use of this products.

Jay Chan

wrote in message
ups.com...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/007...books&v=glance

Thanks. You are the second person in this message thread who has
recommended the book "The 12 Volts Bible for Boats". I will definitely
take a look of this book one more time.

And I coat all connections with liquid tape.

Does the liquid tape replace the use of heat shrink tube for wiring
connection and replace the use of grease for connections on battery
terminals? I cannot quite picture the use of this products.

Jay Chan


I heat shrink the Ancor swedge connectors and then coat the connection with
liquid tape. Makes a better seal. You can also use pvc tape and coat it
with PVC glue. Melts the tape together. As to your other question about
books. Most books are not going to give wiring diagrams. They are going to
tell you how to trouble shoot the circuit, and figure out which wire goes
where. Since my degree is electrical engineering, I do not have the book so
can not personally vouch for the book, but has been recommended for years.

I heat shrink the Ancor swedge connectors and then coat
the connection with liquid tape. Makes a better seal.

I see. This means you use the liquid tape to seal the tiny gap around
the heat-shrink tube and the cable. Now I understand the use of this
product. Seem like this is the finishing touch that I should do after
I am doing with all the wiring and testing. Thanks for the tip!

As to your other question about books. Most books are
not going to give wiring diagrams. They are going to
tell you how to trouble shoot the circuit, and figure out
which wire goes where.

What I mean "wiring diagram" is something like a picture of how
everything comes together, like an overview of the layout.

Since my degree is electrical engineering, I do not have
the book so can not personally vouch for the book, but
has been recommended for years.

Good to hear that this book has been recommended by many people through
out the years. I will take a second look on the book on my way back
home today.

Jay Chan