Is everyone able to fit all cables into the rigging tube?

[pete]

Lowes sells a wax based wire pulling lube....
http://www.lowes.com/pd_12290-12704-31- ... facetInfo=

 

[slvrlng]

On my 83 hull I do not have a rigging tube. I have a rigging hole at the starboard rear corner of the inside of the console. Just forward of the hole there is a bulkhead but going aft it is completely open down the sides of the stringer. I have transom boxes in the corners, I don't think you do. My access for pulling wires through is a pieplate in the side of the starboard box.



This is the rigging hole. I think it started out round, but over the years as people added electronics it has been wallowed out so everything fits.

[BTF112989]

Well, duct tape, twine, my plumbing snake, and some dawn dishwashing soap did most of the trick!  I was able to get the main wire harness all the way through the rigging tube pretty easily, once I found an easy path for it to travel.  It took a couple of attempts.  

My steering cable was so heavy & stiff that it just pushed the other wires out of the way as it made its way.  I have the steering all hooked up now.  

The only thing left to do in the rigging is running the oil line, then extending the battery cables and running them down the rigging tube.  Since the tube is getting pretty full, I'm finding it pretty difficult to find a path for the snake to take that will let it go all the way through.  Thats where I am at now.  Hopefully I can squeeze the oil line through & the battery cables will be heavy enough to push the other cables out of the way.  

Does anyone know of any local chain stores I could go to that would sell tinned, marine 2 gauge wire?  I was thinking west marine, but I need to check.  I don't have too many marine supply stores around me in middle Tennessee.  I was hoping to extend the battery cables tomorrow if I can find some wire locally.  

I am so close to getting this boat in the water.  I want to have its maiden voyage this week if possible.

Thanks for all of yalls help with this!

-Ben

[gran398]

Great job Ben, glad the boys recommended the Dawn. Beats the heck out of that blue grease that I once used.

Re. the marine-grade 2 guage Bob advised on the run forward...he'll post a link, hang tight. He was under the weather today.

Great to get 'er done...but quality wire is important over the long haul, even if it has to be ordered in.

[BTF112989]

Okay, I looked up on the west marine website that they have 2 ga Ancor marine, tinned battery cable wire in stock.  If I'm reading seabob's instructions correctly, I need to run one solid 2 ga line straight through from the yamaha to the battery in the console?  

I SHOULDN'T run my existing 4 ga yamaha supplied line, then bolt a 2 ga section to it to reach the battery.

Will this wire be okay:  
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=35074&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50523&subdeptNum=50560&classNum=50562

With these lugs:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=35581&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50523&subdeptNum=50566&classNum=50568

What size stud do my lugs need to be able to fit?  There are multiple options on the website.

I think I will need about 17' of wire to reach from the Yamaha to the battery.

Also, That is a useful tool, but the likelyhood of me using it again after I crip these 4 ends is slim to none.  Can anyone think of a place that would rent one to me or a place I could take my supplies to that would crimp the lugs on for me for a nominal fee?  I can't really justify the $55 purchase of such a specialty tool if I'm only going to use it once.  

Hopefully Seabob can lead me in the right direction with all of this once he starts feeling better.

Sorry for all of these questions, but I have one more.  Does anyone run dual batteries with a switch on their aquasport?  Would I benefit from dual batteries at all, since I only have one engine & my only accessories are a fishfinder, stereo, interior lighting, and a bilge pump?  My dad has dual batteries with a switch & he thinks its the greatest thing in the world.  He was suggesting that I wire in a second battery as well.

Thanks everybody!
-Ben

[gran398]

Ben, all great questions.

Your dad is right. We all run dual batteries with a quality Perko switch. If nothing else, for the safety of you and your crew.

Plan on two 24's under the console with a single engine.

Yep, Bob has advised to run 2 guage marine grade straight through...so that's what you should do. The link he'll post will smoke worst marine's price.

Hang tight...he'll be on this like white on rice when he's back to feeling better.

[Circle Hooked]

You can use a vise, that's what i've done in the past, never a problem, then put some heat shrink over it and your good.

By all means have the second battery, think of it as a safety precaution.

[Capt. Bob]

What size stud do my lugs need to be able to fit?  There are multiple options on the website.
-Ben

You'll need 2 AWG (2 ga.) with the appropriate size hole to fit your battery lug. 5/16" is about right but I've seen 3/8" so you'll need to check (measure) your model battery.
This is of course assuming you have threaded bolt terminals as well as the standard posts batteries come with but not the side mount screw in type seen on autos though I'd guess they would work.

Good luck.

[BTF112989]

I have the threaded screws on top.  I will check to see what size they are in the daylight.  

I just went on the greg's marine wire website that Seabob mentioned in his previous post.  They are about half the price of worst marine & there is also an option to have them make your cables for you.  I will probably just measure what size I need & go this route, since I don't have the correct crimping tool. $109 versus $210 locally is a no brainer.  Instant gratification isn't worth $100 to me, so I can wait a few days to have these made & shipped.  

I think I'm going to go with 17'  2 ga cables just to be safe.  16' may work, but its too risky.

I'm sure Seabob will cover this, but does anyone have a basic dual battery with a switch diagram or a description?

I may just take my battery out of the console, set it in the back of the boat, and hook it only up to the engine to test everything out on the boat tomorrow & take it for an initial spin.  Then once I get the battery cables shipped here, I can put it back in the console.  I'm just very anxious to see whether or not my rigging was totally successful.

Thanks for everyone's input!  This is such a helpful group of guys here.

-Ben

[seabob4]

Well good morning all!  Had a toothache yesterday, went to bed at 5:30 yesterday afternoon...feeling much better now!

Anyway, Ben, you were absolutely correct in getting the uninteruppted run of 2GA from the switch aft to the motor.  The weak link, electrically, would have been the 4GA from any post at the transom out to the motor.  The reason for stepping up in cable size is voltage drop due to the increased run (and naturally, the increased resistance).  Had you gone with the 4GA, the resistence would have increased even more, and your voltage drop increased accordingly.  Besides, you save a bunch going with Greg's, I NEVER buy anything electrical from WM...

Here is how a dual battery switch (OFF/1/BOTH/2) is wired...




Hope this helps...

BTW, Ben, Greg's gets their orders out pretty quick.  You should receive your cables maybe by Tuesday.  As far as batt switches, I've had 2 Perkos fail on me due to age (big time corrosion buildup on the internal contacts).  I use Blue Seas, Guest and Cole-Hersee also make excellent switches.  But seeing as you are in Tenn., and don't see the corrosive effects like we do down here on the gulf coast, you should be alright with a Perko...

[Capt. Bob]

I have an extra Perko switch I'll be happy to send you for the shipping costs.
I'm running my antique Cole Hersee (carryover from my CCP) in my WAC.
It's in good condition and will work fine in your application.

PM me if you like.

[RickK]

Hard to beat that deal  

[Circle Hooked]

Capt Bob.

[gran398]

Capt Bob.

Absolutely! Very nice CB :rendeer:

[seabob4]

You don't want to see the backside of the Perko dual batt switch I just replaced with a Blue Seas... :x  :x