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Thread: Boat wiring on john boat

  1. #1
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    Default Boat wiring on john boat

    Ok, school me on wire size used for accessories. I have a Nilight 6 rocker arm switch box to run everything through, each circuit has a 5 amp breaker. I want to run a bilgepump, 10in LED light bar up front with a side shore light on each side(to run by them selves). So that's 3 switches used. One switch for inside the boat light strips. One switch for running lights and rear white light. Last switch to power a fuse bar that my depthfinder and (2 )12v power plugs for spot beam or 10ft light pole for night fishing. All lights on the boat will be LEDs.
    So what awg size wire will run this set up?

  2. #2
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    Paging Rubberhead. Stand by. You're welcome.
    - "My dad used to tell me that nothing good happens when you take your AR to an out of town riot. Or maybe it was that nothing good happens after 1:00 in the morning. I can't remember any more." - Wob

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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Black Bart View Post
    Paging Rubberhead. Stand by. You're welcome.
    Truth

  4. #4
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    There's a pretty simple chart for current draw and length of wire, you can Google it

  5. #5
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    PM Glenn, he wires boats on the side.

  6. #6
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    I’d reference the above mentioned charts to determine what you will need. Nothing should be a long run though.

    I do recommend spending the money and getting good marine wire and proper sealed connections.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1slim61 View Post
    Ok, school me on wire size used for accessories. I have a Nilight 6 rocker arm switch box to run everything through, each circuit has a 5 amp breaker. I want to run a bilgepump, 10in LED light bar up front with a side shore light on each side(to run by them selves). So that's 3 switches used. One switch for inside the boat light strips. One switch for running lights and rear white light. Last switch to power a fuse bar that my depthfinder and (2 )12v power plugs for spot beam or 10ft light pole for night fishing. All lights on the boat will be LEDs.
    So what awg size wire will run this set up?
    10 gauge for lightbar.
    12 gauge for bilge pump
    12-14 gauge for other 2 shore lights depending on amp draw at start-up.
    All other lights 14 gauge would be a safe, or an “overkill” choice.
    12 gauge to power the fuse box.
    I would run 16ga for the electronics
    14ga for the acc. Plugs

    8 or 4ga for a trolling motor depending on length of run.

    And don’t ground anything directly to the hull of the boat. Make ground connections back to a ground bus bar.

    You will have zero issues with that setup, and if you brought me the boat, that’s how I would wire it.

    Buy good wire.. tinned copper duplex by Anchor is a damn good choice and makes for easy clean runs.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tater View Post
    PM Glenn, he wires boats on the side.
    This right chere. Plus he’s a vet during the day so he’s broke and needs money…..
    Quote Originally Posted by Mars Bluff View Post
    Only thing we need to be wearing in this country are ass whippings & condoms. That'll clear up half our issues.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fireman View Post
    10 gauge for lightbar.
    12 gauge for bilge pump
    12-14 gauge for other 2 shore lights depending on amp draw at start-up.
    All other lights 14 gauge would be a safe, or an “overkill” choice.
    12 gauge to power the fuse box.
    I would run 16ga for the electronics
    14ga for the acc. Plugs

    8 or 4ga for a trolling motor depending on length of run.

    And don’t ground anything directly to the hull of the boat. Make ground connections back to a ground bus bar.

    You will have zero issues with that setup, and if you brought me the boat, that’s how I would wire it.

    Buy good wire.. tinned copper duplex by Anchor is a damn good choice and makes for easy clean runs.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I get the overkill thing , I really do. But some of this is laughable.
    #10 for led light bar? The amp draw on that bar is nowhere near high enough to justify #10. He’s not wiring a water heater
    Last edited by Duck cutter; 12-17-2021 at 07:20 AM.
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Duck cutter View Post
    I get the overkill thing , I really do. But some of this is laughable.
    #10 for led light bar? The amp draw on that bar is nowhere near high enough to justify #10. He’s not wiring a water heater
    Yep!
    \"We say grace and we say maam, if you ain\'t into that, we don\'t give a damn.\" HW Jr.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Duck cutter View Post
    I get the overkill thing , I really do. But some of this is laughable.
    #10 for led light bar? The amp draw on that bar is nowhere near high enough to justify #10. He’s not wiring a water heater
    Thank you for not saying "hot" water heater

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Luvin' Labs View Post
    Thank you for not saying "hot" water heater
    If the water is already hot why would it need a heater?
    Houndsmen are born, not made

    Quote Originally Posted by 2thDoc View Post
    I STAND WITH DUCK CUTTER!
    Quote Originally Posted by JABIII View Post
    I knew it wasn't real because no dogbox...

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Duck cutter View Post
    If the water is already hot why would it need a heater?
    Ed Zachary

  14. #14
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    Will the boat have an electric motor in future?

    If so, might want to consider that as well


    Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

  15. #15
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    Thanks for the input fellow duckers. Now my choice on which way to go, hack it out my self or pay someone to do it for me. I'll PM the choices given in comments. Quack, Quack.

  16. #16
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    Do it yourself. The wiring on that boat is not very complex and it will give you working knowledge of the system for when repairs need to be made.

  17. #17
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    DC wiring is about as simple as it gets. Do it yourself.

  18. #18
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    I’ve purchased a lot from here before.

    https://newwiremarine.com

  19. #19
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    Don’t listen to these malcontents, PM Glenn, take him the boat.

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