Boat Rewiring Help

[Stray-Cat]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

sometimes breaking them apart can be beneficial because you can pick and choose your components

Interesting post Maine Sail


I see the majority of manufacturers product lines combi units
The quality top of the line such as Outback do not have inverter only units and if a manufacturer sells them they are the invertors that lack transfer switching and so cheap that they could be bought at a department store, example the 1500/1750w inverters that retail for $200 that I would not install in a boat

Years ago there was a very insignificant cost increase when they added the chargers
My original heart interface 1000 w inverter /50amp charger in 1992 (still working good) cost $900 then, the cost of a good 50 amp 3 stage charger at the time was $500 then
I figured that the internal charger added about only $200 to the cost so buying an all in one was very good value

I have installed quite a few good 3 stage charger's in boats over the last few years for people that did not need an inverter
There are quite a few good brands

Question

Could you name out a few brands that in your experience are good quality that are inverter only please

[sailinglegend]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

You don't need to "join" the C-34 association to read their excellent forums..

I have tried and tried to register but failed. I just get an error page. It says elsewhere guest can register but: "Guests have a limited view of the forum."!!!

I'm in Turkey - what am I doing wrong?

[Matt sachs]

Originally Posted by CharlieJ

The Calder book referenced above can be found here:Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual: How to Maintain, Repair, and Improve Your Boat's Essential Systems: Nigel Calder: 9780071432382: Amazon.com: Books .

It is the reference book.

Just bought it. Thanks for the tip.

[ssanzone]

Something that i didnt think rang clear in the books when i was planning and preparing was the value of the right panel.

troubleshooting (especially while cruising) can be a real pain.

while they can get really pricy, a properly sized panel will give you the ability to isolate v-bert from salon, from galley, from forward head etc.

the original wiring had the galley, heads and instruments all spliced off the windlass line and tied to a single breaker which (much x-mas lights) when 1 goes out... they all go out.

my way too big panel has a breaker allocated to each area / function and i ran multiple lines before i installed the headliner in case i want to add / expand / enhance in the any of the 3 cabins or galley.

last bit of advice... colors are your friend. i would have loved being able to buy a single 500' roll instead of paying for 50' * 10 colors but the extra $$ will be well worth it when i am troubleshooting alone and dont need to guess which of the 30 blue wires is for the ensuite jacuzzi!

-steve

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by ssanzone

... but the extra $$ will be well worth it when i am troubleshooting alone and dont need to guess which of the 30 blue wires is for the ensuite jacuzzi!

-steve

Shock therapy at sea?

[propellanttech]

Originally Posted by ssanzone

last bit of advice... colors are your friend. i would have loved being able to buy a single 500' roll instead of paying for 50' * 10 colors but the extra $$ will be well worth it when i am troubleshooting alone and dont need to guess which of the 30 blue wires is for the ensuite jacuzzi!

-steve

Also, you can use a label maker for similar colored wires if you do not want to rewire everything.

There are some labels which are pretty permanent once wrapped around a wire.

James L

[xymotic]

Does anyone know of an online source that specs out some or most of the ABYC color codes without having to spend $500+ on the spec?

[cheoah]

Originally Posted by propellanttech

Also, you can use a label maker for similar colored wires if you do not want to rewire everything.

There are some labels which are pretty permanent once wrapped around a wire.

James L

James, any idea which labels are good for a Dymo label maker? Mine don't stick and I haven't had a chance to find the right ones.

[forsailbyowner]

Never had a charger in my boat. Between the solar wind and engine it was never necessary. The boat is rarely in a slip and doesn't have a generator. bought a xantrex 1000 watt inverter for $75 in box never used at jsi flea market and it has served me well.

[daddle]

Originally Posted by cheoah

James, any idea which labels are good for a Dymo label maker? Mine don't stick and I haven't had a chance to find the right ones.

Big boats tend to use numbers. They come in sheets. They are kinda like printed cloth tape. But then you need a proper drawing that shows the wire numbers. Diligence...

I have an electronic label maker that works well except the labels are applied as 'flags' and are a little messy that way. Most of the wire here is the white jacketed ANCOR marine type ... I just write on it with a sharpie, both ends the same, for example "AFT JACUZZI LIGHTS", "MASTER CABIN WET BAR ICEMAKER" ...

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by xymotic

Does anyone know of an online source that specs out some or most of the ABYC color codes without having to spend $500+ on the spec?

Google ”ABYC Color Codes”

[brankin]

Originally Posted by sailinglegend

Please don't post links to sites you have to join and pay money too view.

The electrical systems 101 post was a valuable link containing a wealth of information and with no fee or request to join Therefore please disregard the post by saillegend. He must be having problems with his computer.

[Matt sachs]

Originally Posted by CharlieJ

The Calder book referenced above can be found here:Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual: How to Maintain, Repair, and Improve Your Boat's Essential Systems: Nigel Calder: 9780071432382: Amazon.com: Books .

It is the reference book.

I got mine last week. GREAT BOOK! Thanks again.