02-24-2007, 03:04 AM
Ok I have done this once, notice I said once. Here is what I learned. First off for some stupid reason boat manufacturers cut a hole and then cover it with a pannel to cut smaller holes into . This is your gauge cluster and toggles. When they do that they put a few screws in to hold the pannel on but they don't caulk the pannel to keep water from getting behind it. This is a huge oversight in a CC boat.
The wiring process is a chore at best but if done right you will only do it once. First make full runs from point A to Point B, no splicing pieces to save a buck. Next install a wiring block and life is so much easier. Everything gets wired to the block and use a P touch labeler to label every wire. Then everything gets wired from the block to its end point. Also use dielectric grease on every block connection as it will repell water and keep the metal to metal connection from getting rusty. The entire connection could rust over but the point where metal meets metal will still be clean under all the rust. Every connection should get crimped and shrink tubing to keep water from wicking up into the wires. It costs a lot to do it this way but again you will only do it once.
Also be sure the entire area is cleaned and all access areas are caulkedwhere needed, and be sure access hatches close and seal out water. The hatch may also need to be removed cleaned and recaulked.
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The wiring process is a chore at best but if done right you will only do it once. First make full runs from point A to Point B, no splicing pieces to save a buck. Next install a wiring block and life is so much easier. Everything gets wired to the block and use a P touch labeler to label every wire. Then everything gets wired from the block to its end point. Also use dielectric grease on every block connection as it will repell water and keep the metal to metal connection from getting rusty. The entire connection could rust over but the point where metal meets metal will still be clean under all the rust. Every connection should get crimped and shrink tubing to keep water from wicking up into the wires. It costs a lot to do it this way but again you will only do it once.
Also be sure the entire area is cleaned and all access areas are caulkedwhere needed, and be sure access hatches close and seal out water. The hatch may also need to be removed cleaned and recaulked.
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