Ep 211 - Boat Wiring Essentials: Set Up Your AC & DC Systems the Right Way - Travels With Geordie

Learn how to plan, route, and organize electrical systems on a boat for efficiency.
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Mail➡︎ Peter Knowles, 185-911 Yates Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 4Y9

This video is NOT sponsored.

In this episode, Peter begins the long-anticipated process of rewiring his classic wooden boat. After applying tung oil and urethane to protect his newly refinished wheelhouse sole, he dives into the planning and layout of the boat’s electrical systems.

He starts by reviewing the AC circuit diagram, explaining how he’s dividing the system into eight balanced circuits. From there, he transitions into an overview of the DC system, pointing out the central wiring area beneath the helm, which he refers to as his nav station. This area will house the main electrical panels, including bus bars, breakers, and switches, all designed for easy access and future maintenance.

Peter then walks through his planned wiring routing, explaining how both AC and DC wires will run in separate bundles along the starboard side of the boat, just beneath the deck. This ensures clean separation and avoids code violations.

One of the bigger challenges is routing wires through the fiberglass head (bathroom) area, which lacks the open framing seen elsewhere in the boat. To address this, he uses a laparoscope (a small inspection camera) to explore hidden cavities and confirm that a path exists between bulkheads. He then cuts access holes and attempts to feed PVC conduit through these narrow spaces.

Despite tight tolerances, Peter successfully threads a length of 1¼-inch PVC pipe through multiple bulkheads, confirming a viable conduit route from the wheelhouse to the aft cabin. This conduit will protect and organize the wiring while keeping future upgrades manageable.

What you Will Learn:
Dividing Electrical Systems: Peter demonstrates how to balance the AC system into eight circuits and plans a clear layout for both AC and DC systems to ensure efficiency and future maintenance.

Wire Routing Techniques: Learn how to properly route AC and DC wires separately to avoid code violations and ensure a clean, organized setup on a boat.

Handling Tight Spaces: Discover how Peter uses a laparoscope to navigate difficult areas like the fiberglass head, successfully installing PVC conduit to protect and organize the boat's wiring.

00:00 - Intro and finishing the sole with stain and varathane!
4:46 – Wiring layout overview
5:05 – AC circuit diagram
5:49 – Electrical panel setup
6:38 – Routing wiring
7:54 – AC/DC separation
8:47 – Wiring challenges
9:29 – Inspecting paths with lapriscope
10:55 – Cutting access holes
12:07 – Installing conduit
17:01 Buidling the inside panel
19:55 Beer of the week!

#boatelectrical
#marineelectronics
#DIYBoatProjects

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