Wiring issues
 

As per another thread I started, I should be finished the deck repair this weekend. The original plan was to have a mechanic I know check out and replace any of the wiring that is suspect. Turns out he's swamped and may not be able to do it in time.
The boat and engine in question is an 83 V-20 with a 190 Merc sterndrive. Can anyone suggest any links that will walk me thru a complete checkout and show how to do a basic rewire? It would be easier to have a pro do it, but for my own peace of mind, I'd kind of like to have some knowledge of the electrical system in case of on the water problems. I,ve no experience re-wiring so it would have to be a basic "wiring for dummies" sort of thing. Thanks for any leads.

Complete rewire of what???? If ur talking about the engine you are talking about spending some coin on a new wiring harness...

If you are just talking about a couple accys then not so bad...

You can buy a basic wiring harness for that too with bilge pump, blower, fuel gauge, and nav lights... May need to shorten or lengthen a few wires but would be a good start.

Or just fix up what you have if no major issues.

http://wellcraftv20.com/community/sh...ad.php?t=18807

We had one that was Wellcraft V20 specific, but the pics are no longer there. Damn technology

Unless the insulation on your wiring is stiff and cracking, I wouldn't even think about anything close to complete rewiring.

If your boat was used in the salt a lot, like mine was, your main issue is probably corroded connections, not bad wiring. Most of these can be made right by cleaning them and protecting them with electrical grease. Some of the connectors on the ends of wires may be badly eroded from corrosion or there will be bad corrosion in the stranded wire at the connection. I bought a good crimping tool and a supply of connectors that are waterproof (they have a heat shrink insulating sleeve with some goop inside that really seals out water).

Mine is an '85 and had generations of electronics come and go. I got almost two 5 gallon buckets full from stripping out wire that wasn't doing anything any more. It was amazing how much simpler it was to follow wires that were in use with it cleaned up. You'll probably want to remove the rod boxes for access to some of the wiring.

Thanks for the tips. I'll take my time and address one wire at a time. Just a quick look shows a lot of wires with corrosion at the conections

Its kind of a fun type of project. A lot of satisfaction to cut off the gob of corrosion and leave it with a clean watertight terminal. I use dielectric grease to protect from further corrosion - can get it at an auto parts store. Put it on before assembling the connection so it covers everything - it is an insulating product, but it won't be a connection problem.

I think I have paper copies in my shop, better than nothing if nobody has a file.

How about that! not only did I have paper copies, I found those original files too. I fixed my tractor today after a long struggle, so I'm going to bed happy!

Great info!:beer:
Going to keep this on file.

Does anyone know if some models were bonded?
Seems like the 91 that I bought has traditional green bonding wire running to the fuel tank and also the thru hull feeding the bait well. Maybe someone added the bonding wire but I doubt it.

My 84 has green wire bonding the fuel fill to a tab on the tank to the neg battery terminal.

As for wiring, there are a lot of variables depending on whether the original dash/switches/wiring have never been touched.

If they have never been touched I suggest ripping it all out and starting new. If they have been touched,I suggest ripping it all out and starting new...

The original wire on my 84 was not tinned and was black & red powder when you stripped it.

BUY MARINE GRADE TINNED WIRE.

The original setup had everything going back to the battery. Total mess of wires....
I have an 8 gauge feed running to a distribution panel in the cuddy.
I'll get some pictures together & post.