Boat electronic wiring diagram

Summary

In this video, the creator walks viewers through the process of wiring accessories on a bass boat, providing a detailed step-by-step guide. The tutorial covers everything from connecting the battery and fuse box to wiring the engine, fish finder, water pump, ignition system, and various gauges. Viewers are shown how to set up power connections, including tips for safety and troubleshooting. The video also includes advice on wiring specific accessories like lights, a kill switch, and sensors. It's a comprehensive yet easy-to-follow guide for anyone looking to understand boat wiring basics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always prioritize safety when dealing with electronics, especially if you don't have experience.
• 😀 Begin with a basic wire diagram for a better understanding of how all boat accessories connect.
• 😀 Start wiring with the battery disconnected or connect the negative side first for safety.
• 😀 The fuse box is essential to distribute power to different accessories, with one side for positive and the other for negative.
• 😀 Use the appropriate wire gauge for each component, especially for the electric engine.
• 😀 Always include an auto-reset circuit on the positive wire for the electric engine, as recommended by the manufacturer.
• 😀 Connect the fish finder to an always-on fuse box so it can operate even when the ignition is off.
• 😀 For the water pump, use a float switch that connects the pump to the positive wire from the fuse box.
• 😀 When wiring the ignition key, make sure to connect the positive wire to the off position and the fuse box to the 'ing' terminal for power when the key is on.
• 😀 The kill switch, typically a black wire with a yellow stripe, must be grounded to the battery's negative side for safety.
• 😀 For the gauges, connect all power wires in parallel, and ensure to ground the gauge to complete the circuit.

Q & A

What is the first recommendation for someone who wants to connect accessories on a boat?

The first recommendation is not to touch the electronics if you don't have any experience. It's better to leave this task to professionals or thoroughly research the process first.

Why is it important to connect the wires without the battery being connected?

It's recommended to connect the wires with the battery disconnected or connect the negative first to avoid any accidental short circuits or electrical shocks while working on the system.

How do you connect the wires for the engine to the battery?

The red wire from the engine should be connected to the positive terminal of the battery, while the black wire goes to the negative terminal.

What additional component is needed when connecting the electric engine?

You need to use a recommended gauge wire for the electric engine, and for the positive line, you must add an auto-reset circuit as recommended by your engine's manufacturer.

Where is the fish finder connected, and why?

The fish finder is connected to the 'always-on' fuse box. This allows the fish finder to operate even when the ignition is off, which can be convenient when the engine is not running.

How is the water pump connected to the system?

The water pump has three wires: one from the positive terminal of the fuse box to the float switch, another wire from the float to the positive terminal of the pump, and the last wire from the negative terminal of the pump to the negative terminal of the fuse box.

What is the purpose of the ignition key in the wiring system?

The ignition key controls the power to the accessories. The positive terminal of the battery is connected to the off position of the ignition key, and it only provides power to the accessories when the key is turned on.

How do you connect the starter engine wire?

The starter engine wire, typically yellow with a red line, is connected to the ignition key system. When the key is turned, it triggers the starter engine, just like in a car.

How is the kill switch wired into the system?

The kill switch is typically connected with a black wire with a yellow line on it. It needs to be grounded, so it’s connected to the negative terminal of the battery to complete the circuit.

Why is the stern light connected to the always-on fuse box?

The stern light is connected to the always-on fuse box with a switch to ensure it can be turned on or off as needed. The stern light is essential when fishing at night, even when the engine is off, so having it connected to the always-on fuse box allows for this flexibility.