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Fortune Sustain · 08-11-2018, 15:55

Hello all
I am in possession of a 55ft. Samson C-Baron.
Now I would have to install a completely new electrical system.
Board voltage of 12v dc, 24v dc and 230v ac.
Does anyone have a schedule that I could use as an example?
Because I do not know where to start yet.
thanks in advance

Boatguy30 · 08-11-2018, 16:56

You should hire a professional marine engineer to consult with you on this project. The scope of this project is far beyond a forum like this

coopec43 · 08-11-2018, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fortune Sustain

Hello all
I am in possession of a 55ft. Samson C-Baron.
Now I would have to install a completely new electrical system.
Board voltage of 12v dc, 24v dc and 230v ac.
Does anyone have a schedule that I could use as an example?
Because I do not know where to start yet.
thanks in advance

When I started wiring up my yacht I was aware there was a color-code for wiring up a boat but quickly gave that away as I couldn't source the colored wiring. But you can identify the purpose of cable by using "Cable numbering tool wire ident applicator stainless steel 11 sizes available(google it)
https://www.boatingmag.com/abyc-color-codes-boat-wiring

Before starting you need to know some basics:

How to solder join wires.
How much current wires/cables can carry.
How to use a multi-meter.
How to use "heat shrink"
Types of switches/circuit breakers/fuses etc etc.

Of course there are plenty of excellent tutorials on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...to+wire+a+boat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WqUbSQ9byE

If you do it yourself you'll get a lot more satisfaction and when (if?) you get into trouble one day you'll know how to fix it.

Like you I was not too sure where to start so I got an auto-electrician mate to help me. He spent half an hour with me and then I was on my own. I've done the rest.

It is not hard because each circuit is very simple but there are lots of them!

I have deliberately left my cabling a bit long because as soon as I make them the correct length I will need to re-route them and they'll be too short.

I haven't used cable-ties to bundle them together at this stage as I like to be able to trace the wiring by give a wire a tug at the switchboard and see which one moves down along the yacht (not sophisticated but it works)

Clive

Capt Phil · 08-11-2018, 18:21

My only experience rewiring a sailboat was many years ago. The boat was lying in Bellingham, WA and the absentee owner was the son of a very well known actor in Hollywood CA so he could well afford to hire a marine electrician but wanted to do the work himself so he knew how to troubleshoot the systems.
The boat was nearly new and he was the original owner who had purchased her new in the Far East. She was a 1988 Hans Christian, either 38 or 43 feet.
When we pulled the electrical panel off to get started, all the wiring was black with no hint which was positive or negative or ground! There were a number of boats from that yard in Taiwan that came out in this condition we heard later. We ended up rewiring. with black as negative, red as positive and green as ground for the few circuits that needed a ground.
I mention this because it turned out to be a hugh task, much of which I did myself as my buddy/owner had to return to SoCal not long after we got started.
I wasn’t working so could devote full time to the job but unless you have unlimited time, hire someone to help you.
Phil

Scott Berg · 08-11-2018, 19:43

I've been a marine electrician for decades; rewiring a 50+ boat is about a 4-8
week job for a professional with two to three assistants. At a minimum you will need to: Make a block diagram, a schematic diagram, a work list, a materials list, a work plan, etc. Do ALL of this before you start the actual wire pulling project. Not an easy job but it can be done. Don't kid yourself if you take this on, it will be a VERY difficult project; I wish you well. To give you an rough idea, an average cost for this would be $40-60K if you hired a pro. Work slowly and carefully.

coopec43 · 08-11-2018, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Berg

I've been a marine electrician for decades; rewiring a 50+ boat is about a 4-8
week job for a professional with two to three assistants. At a minimum you will need to: Make a block diagram, a schematic diagram, a work list, a materials list, a work plan, etc. Do ALL of this before you start the actual wire pulling project. Not an easy job but it can be done. Don't kid yourself if you take this on, it will be a VERY difficult project; I wish you well. To give you an rough idea, an average cost for this would be $40-60K if you hired a pro. Work slowly and carefully.

Thank you for that. After reading your post I don't feel quite so useless: it has been a big, big job and I am still going.

Preparing work lists, materials list and a work plan might be the right way to go for you guys but when you are learning on the job it is impossible. I buy cable ties by the packet, black and red cable by the reel, boxes of assorted cable terminals, heat shrink by the meter, junction boxes by the dozen......... I buy materials as I need them and being far from suppliers, I buy online.

At least my workmanship is superior to that found on some production yachts.

"the installation of plumbing and electrical is also pitifully amateurish and sloppy. The main panel is okay, it just everything after the panel that's the problem. Things like wiring laying in the bilge and wrapped around plumbing...."(David Pascoe - Surveyor)

I'm not surprised when you say it would cost $40-60 grand.

Thanks

Clive

Fortune Sustain · 09-11-2018, 01:00

I'll do it by myself.
I know a little about electrics, i works in it for 20 years ago.
Yes i'll make block diagrams, schematic diagrams, work lists, materials lists and work plans.
I do all separate, starting with 230v ac. Than the 24v dc an d the 12v dc.
That the way togo think.
Now i need some examples of other boats?
Is there someone who have some?