Wiring set-up (Clueless)

[kolega42]

Hey all, I just joined the site as I finally purchased a 14ft flat bottom. As of now it has a deck on the front and back but plan on redoing all of it. There is no wiring in the boat now. I want to wire a fish finder, bilge pump, and second bilge for a cooler live-well for now. Eventually I would like to add a trolling motor on its own power source. So I want all these accessories to be on there own switches. I have been trying to understand some of the wiring on here but am finding it kinda of confusing. Could someone post a diagram that would be similar to the setup i want, or point me in the right direction as to where to buy parts etc. Also the battery will be in the back of the boat.

Thanks

 

[typed by ben]

ill do one for you tomorrow. sounds like what you want will be pretty simple.

 

[typed by ben]

let me know what parts you are havin trouble with.

the numbers with the "AWG" suffix are wire sizes. you can bring one wire to the first switch, then make small jumpers from the first switch to the next, and from that switch to the next- that way you dont have to run 3 wires off the battery to feed each switch.

the fuses are there to protect the wire from burning up. the idea is to consume the fuse instead of heating up the wire and causing a fire in case of a big overload like a dead short. you can use either inline fuse holders or a big fuse block. you can get either at bass pro or even a car parts store.

i show an auto reset breaker in front of the trolling motor. again, thats to protect the wire in case of an overload. the trolling motor needs to have its own wires on account of the demand for current.

the battery connects ONLY to the devices. no ground straps to the boat.

 

[kolega42]

I understand the basics of fuses and all I'm just confused on what exactly I need... Two wires coming from battery to fuse panel then from there two to every switch for each accessories the from the switch to the accessory. What's the best panel to buy and where at or should I make one with my own switches etc.

Thanks guys I really appreciate it

 

[typed by ben]

you dont have to carry two wires to each switch, just each accessory. one wire (likely 12V or positive) will come from the switch. the 0V (or negative) wire will come from the battery, or a negative buss connected to the negative terminal of the battery. each switch should have one wire leaving the bottom.

also, you dont have to buy a panel. you can easily make one with switches but ive found that its just easier to buy a panel with the fuses and switches integrated. the ones from bass pro have terrible user reviews so id stay away. jamestown and overtons have a seasense panel with good reviews:

https://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=SeaSense-Waterproof-4-Gang-Toggle-Switch-Panel-w/LED-Indicators&i=71708&aID=601S4A&merchID=4006

thatll carry all your circuits AND has an integrated LED indicator circuit. plus all you have to supply to the panel is one 12V and one 0V. easy peasy.