Here are the standard wire colors used in the boating industry since the late 70s. When re-powering a boat with a newer motor this is a handy reference. Most boats use these standards but always double check in case changes have been made!
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BIA Wire Color--------------------Where it is used
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Black---------------------------------All Grounds
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Black with Yellow stripe---------Magneto/short to Kill
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Gray----------------------------------Tachometer signal
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Yellow with Black stripe---------Choke
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Red----------------------------------Unprotected(12V+)from battery
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Red with Purple stripe-----------Protected(+12V)from battery
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Purple-----------------------------(+12V)from ignition switch
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Tan------------------------------Overheat sensor to warning horn
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Pink-------------------------------Sending unit to fuel guage
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Yellow with Red stripe----Ignition switch to starter solenoid
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Yellow-----------------------------charging stator to rectifier
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Lt.Blue with White stripe--------Trim up
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Green with White stripe-----------Trim down
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Some more standard wire colors used on many inboard boats, always double check though, as some vary or may have been changed along the way!
Some standard colors for boats since 1980 are as follows:
· heavy red 10 guage (main battery)
· heavy black (main ground)
· purple (ignition)
· yellow (starter solonoid)
· grey (tachometer)
· brown (temperature)
· blue (oil pressure)
· brown with stripe (alarm)
Accesories
· pink (fuel sending unit)
· yellow (blower)
· brown (bilge pump)
· grey (navigation lights)
· heavy green (bonding wire)
· red (misc electrical add-ons , vhf , depth finder, stereo, radar, power supplies)
