Where to look?

[justfishin2]

I bought a used boat back in December and have been working out some issues with the trailer and motor. I'm now ready to tackle the wiring. Previous owner had put a floor and deck in it (1670 modified V Jon boat) and just ran a piece of 12-2 w/ground UF cable from the stern to bow under the floor. All he had up front was a 40# MinnKota powerdrive and the running light. I'm thinking about a 'bird 8xx as well as the TM...maybe a bigger TM in the future. I know the 12 ga is not heavy enough but am considering just putting another battery under the front deck for the TM only and running new (short) wiring for it. What should I do for the electronics? Where can I find some pictures of the type ends or blocks that are used for something like this? I'd also like to rig a fuse block of some sort for elextronics in the back as I might eventually use a small clamp on TM off the transom as well as another fish finder where I can see it while running the tiller motor. I'd use a battery behind the stern seat for this part.

[Cray]

http://www.basspro.com/BEP-Marine-Co...product/97360/
http://www.basspro.com/Ancor-Marine-...product/97357/
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shop...r/product/862/
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shop...s/product/861/
I like these for minimal connections with the proper fuse attached to each lead where it attaches to the block.
http://www.basspro.com/Battery-Terminals/product/5203/

[justfishin2]

OK, thanks for that info. Now another question...what gauge wire should I run to the front (from rear battery-approx. 15') to carry an electric anchor, running lights and fish finder? Sorry, but I don't know the current draw. I know it is recommended that the fish finder be by itself on a dedicated battery, but I don't plan on fishing after dark, and the anchor would only run intermittently. One of the isolator blocks should be OK for this, shouldn't it? Think the existing 12 ga wire is adequate? The same battery should not be used for anything in the rear unless there is another isolating block between that and everything in the front, correct? (I'm thinking in terms of another fish finder in the back).

[Cray]

I would run at least some 8 to the anchor. It's going to have some smaller wire at the motor but I would want a little heavier gauge to the junction block. You could then wire every thing to that block. I would put a 30 amp breaker at battery, then a inline fuse of the proper size for finder at block. A 5 or 10 for lights. A 10 for the anchor unless they specify something larger. You could wire your second finder directly to that battery installing a fuse of the proper size at the battery.

[justfishin2]

Oops, redundant

[justfishin2]

Another thought I had is to wire the anchor to the same battery as the bow TM as they both would not operate at the same time. The anchor already has an inline fuse in the short wiring it came with. All that would be left to run off the wire running from the rear battery would be the running lights and the fish finder. I have no idea how big of a draw one of the larger finders has, but surely the existing 12 ga wire could carry those couldn't it?

[Cray]

That would work. Think the 12 would be good for that also. If it is existing I would sure redo all my connections to make sure they are good.

[justfishin2]

Ha, you should see the connections. One end has bare clips clamped to the 12 ga to connect to the battery, and at the front the 12 ga is spliced directly to the TM ((TM wiring just cut in half) by twisting and wrapping w/electrical tape-running lights done the same way. Oh, yeah, all this is so far up under the deck I don't know if I can lay on my back and reach anything. I'll figure that out as I get into it. I'll just be sure to check for voltage drop from battery to the end of this wire before I do anything with it. Thanks for your input. I see you have a lot of posts and the others speak highly of you. I'm nearing retirement age and am just trying to get by with this rig until we both quit working. Maybe then I'll get something better, but it is fun working on stuff, and by doing that I should have a better feel for what I would want in a new boat...or a better boat. I'm pretty new to crappie fishing, and from what I've been reading, this boat is probably going to catch too much wind-very high sides. I bought it primarily because my wife has a bad back, and this has no middle seat so there is enough room that she can fish from a reclining lawn chair if she wants. I know I'll not be able to get my money back out of it, but a good learning experience is worth something.

[Cray]

That wiring mess is one of the reasons I always recommend running new wires. Never know what your going to get into. And out on the water is not the place to trouble shoot. plus doing it the way you are you will know where everything is and what it does. That high sided boat may not be as bad as you think once it's all set up. If it works for your wife that's a great big plus. And you are right, get this set up,go fishing and see how much you like it. Then if you want to upgrade you will have a better idea of what works and do's not for you.
Thank you for the compliment and if there is anything I might help you with just send me a PM.