Dear Kevin,

I am currently beginning my first boat wiring project, a total rewire of a small Owens cruiser from the late ’60s.

Here’s my problem:

The old wiring runs behind the original paneling and headliner. I could try dismantling everything to remove and replace the wires, but am concerned about damaging any of the woodwork. It’s old. It’s gorgeous. It would be a bitch to replace.

I don’t mind leaving the old wiring in place and just running a new harness, but that still leaves the problem of installing the new wires without causing any damage.

Any ideas?

RP

Dear Ron,

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Kevin.

Kevin.

Can you tell me the correct boat wiring for a galvanic isolator into an inverter/charger? Everyone in the marina has their own opinion, I just need a pro’s advice.

I need to know if the green from the shore power goes into the inverter and then to the 110 volt panel. Then does it go from the panel to the battery and then the engine block?

Thanks.

John

John,

The green wire goes from the shore power inlet to the galvanic isolator. From the isolator, the green wire goes to your inverter which is connected to the AC ground on your distribution panel. There should also be a wire between the AC ground and the DC ground (engine block)

Have a great day,

Kevin

Hello,

Please could you comment on the boat wiring diagram that I’ve drawn up.

It includes:

• Twin Verado outboards
• Shorepower
• Generator
• House batteries.

I’m currently trying to wire up a new boat here in Oman (no technical expertise available) and I’m really concerned about dangerous AC currents floating around the boat whilst my family swims.

Please could you have a look and give me your comments as I’m no expert at this?

I know that I’m missing an earth wire from the fused junction!

Any input from yourself will be most welcome.

Kind regards

Glyn

Hi Glyn,

Very nice diagram!

I have a few comments.

• Add circuit protection at the source of power for your 24 hour emergency bilge pumps fuse panel.
• Add circuit protection at the battery switch for your main DC distribution panel
• Your shore power ground (green) needs to run to your AC ground buss
• Your galvanic isolator is connected between your shore power inlet and the AC ground buss in the green wire

Also, I would consider not connecting the 3 bank inverter to all 3 banks. Instead,

1. Connect two legs to the house battery bank
2. Connect one leg to the port engine battery bank
3. Connect 0 legs to the starboard engine battery bank

This would allow you to completely drain your dc system with the inverter and still be able to start your starboard engine and charge the system through your automatic charge relay

As drawn, your boat’s AC electrical system should be shock proof.

Most marine AC problems occur when the DC ground is not connected to the AC ground. If you boat has an AC fault to a DC component, the common ground will allow the circuit protection on your AC distribution panel to trip and not energize the water below.

Please send me pictures of this project,

Kevin

Hello Kevin,

Thanks for your input.  I’ve updated the pdf (in case you want to use it)

I’ll take pics and send them to you. But, it might take a while as I’m in Oman and it’s a real struggle to source the various electrical components. Nevermind the marine grade wiring (at the local marina they have a bad habit of using domestic grade wiring).

That’s why I’ve elected to attempt all this myself.

Regards

Glyn

Kevin

I’d like to add some rope lighting along the floor of my boat.

I have a 24’ kit still in the box that is left over from a kitchen project. Will it work to hard wire it to my courtesy lamp circuit or do I need to go buy one specifically designed for a 12V system?

Thank You for your help,

Jason

Jason,

You will need to get a 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC inverter if you want to use your kitchen rope light on your boat.

Make sure you do not put this inverter in an area where gasoline is stored because most are not ignition protected.

If you decide to install a 12 volt system instead, you would do well to consider the lighting products available from Vista Manufacturing. They are a major supplier to the marine industry and offer a number of excellent lighting products.

Happy boat wiring,

Kevin