Boat electrical experts?

[swampdragon]

I have a 1998 Lowe Big Jon 16ft aluminum jon boat. The old wiring is pretty much a mess. I'm about to rewire the whole thing with 14ga marine grade wiring.

My plan is to install a 6-switch water-proof panel that has built-in fuses on the underside. (not shown in pic)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Swampdragon/cabellas2.bmp

The battery posts will have multi-wire connectors that can also be water proofed with liquid electrical tape plus a closed cover.
[My main question has to do with the AMPS involved in the fuses on the switch panel itself:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Swampdragon/cabellas.bmp

1) Standard small craft running lights (red/green bow light & white anchor light)generally require "what AMP" fuse?
2) Cigarette lighter plugs (used to plug in high power spot lights) generally use "what AMP" fuse?
3) Small bilge pumps generally use "what AMP" fuses?

Everything will be running off a 12V battery.


I also plan on a new paint job. Which one of these do you guys like better?

This one?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Swampdragon/Machete20Boat204.bmp
Or this one?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Swampdragon/Reelfoot20Grass.bmp
Or something else that you've seen and can show some pics?

How do I make the boat pics BIGGER? so that the paint detail is easier to see?

[Noah Zark]

1) Standard small craft running lights (red/green bow light & white anchor light)generally require "what AMP" fuse?
2) Cigarette lighter plugs (used to plug in high power spot lights) generally use "what AMP" fuse?
3) Small bilge pumps generally use "what AMP" fuses?

Everything will be running off a 12V battery.





1) 15 Amp should be fine. Use 14 ga wire.

2) 20 Amp minimum. If you plan on multiple devices, like a few spots AND a cig lighter or cooler/heater chest, figure on 25 Amp. Use 12 ga wire for 20 Amp, and 10 ga for 25 or 30 Amp.

3) 15 Amp for one, or 20 Amp if you think you might use two pumps. Use 14 ga wire for 15 Amps, 12 ga wire for 20 Amps.

Color scheme is up to you.

Noah

[tdome]

Those numbers are probably a little high for that craft.

7.5 amps total for the lights would be fine, assuming your bulbs are standard 10W.

Bilge pump: the typical 300-360Gph pump & switch combo uses a 2.5A fuse. Some of 'em come with an inline fuse included.

Accessory outlet: depends on what you plan to run, but generally 20A would be fine. A boat of that size will probably have a single 50Ah (or smaller) battery, and your biggest draw will be the starter (if you've got electric start). Really, you shouldn't be drawing more than 20A for other purposes, as this will knock down the battery pretty quickly. "Occasional" momentary loads (generally no more amps than 1/2 x your battery's Ah rating, and only for a minute or less) are OK.

[swampdragon]

I appreciate the input from both of you guys. Thanks a lot. I'm still just a little confused though.

This switch (other) panel I found has breakers instead of fuses. The breakers are 5 & 10 AMPs.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Swampdragon/i012761hz01.bmp

I can't decide should I go with breakers or fuses. The thing I like about fuses is that they are easy to pull out and replace with a different AMP fuse if I need too.

Also, most of the accessories in the boat have a couple inches of wire coming off of them already installed at the factory. Theoretically, you connect "your" wiring to it and run it from there, to where ever you plan.

Some of the factory wires are very small (i.e. Bilge Pump for example).

I know there is a rule of thumb someplace concerning wire GA verses length of run. My boat is 16ft. So length of total run for some bow mounted items would actually be 32ft.

Is there a chart of some kind someplace that would identify which GA of wire is best for which length of run?