Basic electronics question from a rookie

[Glock Diver]

Capt. Bob- Thanks for sharing!     Now if we could just get a moderator to create an Aquasport 225 section in the Photo Gallery, you'd have a place to post that brochure!
I could only make out some of the fine print/specs on the left side... any chance you could zoom in on that text?

GD,
I'm pulling out the flatbed scanner I have and will be creating both jpegs and .pdf files of the four catalogs I picked up. Hang tight for a little longer (I'll do the 97 cat first) and I'll burn you a cd. You can then view it on your box with what ever photo editor you have. When I scanned what you see on the Forum, it's compressed so that I can get it to photobucket and then it's reduced again to meet Forum restrictions. Looks bad I know but when viewed with the computer at work, it reads just fine so.....
Hang on, it's coming. I think you'll enjoy reading what was out there in 97.

Currently, the Admins can't (and neither can we members) post to the Photo Gallery. This is a software problem the Forum has been dealing with for some time. Rick wants to post any and all Aquasport related data we can come up with and I just got lucky getting these. So give me a little time and I'll contact you so I can get you this info.

PS.... For anyone else with a "Gen II" Aqua, I currently have a 95, 97 2004 & 2005 catalog/calendar. If interested, give me a PM.

That would be super, Capt. Bob!

Thank god we boat guys are packrats, huh?  


seabob4- I think you're in for a wet morning!  But I guess if you really want to seatrial a boat, do it in SCA weather, right?  

[seabob4]

Glock,
Went out about 10:30, saw the Gulf from the ICW, told the owner it wouldn't hurt my feelings if we stayed inside...he immediately swung her around!  Pretty decent in the ICW, no traffic, that's for sure!  His 32 with 250 Verados hit 46 at 6 grand, I think he has a prop issue.  Verados like to see 6200-6300 top bop, so he should get her to 51-52 mph.  Good pay for a boat ride, know what I mean?

Bob C

[Glock Diver]

I'm jealous you got to go out at all, seabob!  The water off Fort Myers Beach didn't look that rough, but there were virtually no boaters out.


So getting back to that electronics question of where to connect my GPS power... I snapped a couple pictures underneath my console today. Here's what I got:


And the back of the switch plate:


Thoughts?

[seabob4]

10:30 this morn, just east of Honeymoon Island.  Not a bad morning in the IC, but got windier as the day went on.  The Gulf?  No thanks!




Anyway, as far as your helm goes, well, at least all the wires going to your ground buss are black!  I've seen worse.  To wire your GPS power, run the ground to that same buss, and pick an accessory switch that's not powering anything, and wire your + to the middle position.  That way you can turn on your GPS with a switch, and there is no need for an inline fuse as it is breaker protected.  Just make sure the breaker size is appropriate for what the manual calls out for.

For a fee, I'll be happy to run down and rewire your helm to MY specs...    

[Capt. Bob]

GD,
The first pic is a ground block. The heavy gauge black wire in the lower left terminal is coming from the battery (or there about). You might want to clean that whole strip up just a little.

I do not see the positive (hot) terminal strip in the other pic.
Do you have something along the lines of the first pic but with fuses attached?

[Glock Diver]

GD,
The first pic is a ground block. The heavy gauge black wire in the lower left terminal is coming from the battery (or there about). You might want to clean that whole strip up just a little.

I do not see the positive (hot) terminal strip in the other pic.
Do you have something along the lines of the first pic but with fuses attached?

I didn't see a hot terminal strip, and I looked for one...    maybe I missed it, will check again tomorrow. Good idea on cleaning the ground block. I'm not sure it's ever been done.

Anyway, as far as your helm goes, well, at least all the wires going to your ground buss are black! I've seen worse. To wire your GPS power, run the ground to that same buss, and pick an accessory switch that's not powering anything, and wire your + to the middle position. That way you can turn on your GPS with a switch, and there is no need for an inline fuse as it is breaker protected. Just make sure the breaker size is appropriate for what the manual calls out for.

For a fee, I'll be happy to run down and rewire your helm to MY specs...  

Not sure that I have any unused switches. Previous owner added a T-top mounted light that's run through one of the extras, but I'll check.  Thanks for the tips!

I'll definitely keep your offer in mind! I didn't realize that you were just "right up" I-75!  Hopefully you got some of the gorgeous weather today that we had in Fort Myers.. been waiting for this since April!   8)

[seabob4]

We've all been waiting for weather like this since April!

[RickK]

GD,
The first pic is a ground block. The heavy gauge black wire in the lower left terminal is coming from the battery (or there about). You might want to clean that whole strip up just a little.

Good idea  :!:
Make sure to bring some liquid electrical tape with you under the console and coat all the wires where they enter the crimp connectors and then coat the terminal strip after it has been cleaned and the terminal rings have been cleaned and reattached. Looks like it was initially coated.  

[Glock Diver]

Spent some more time under the helm today, cleaning mostly, but organizing some wires too.  

Capt. Bob- No, I definitely don't have a positive terminal strip.  Looks like all the hot wires are coming from the back of my switch plate.  

Question:  Should I add a positive terminal strip?  Seems I've run out of free connections. I noticed today that both the Fishfinder and the AM/FM Stereo are getting their juice from the last fuse, and are spliced together.  Since I'm looking to add GPS power also, is it OK to add to this? or should I install a new strip for things like this?


So nobody can post to the photo gallery, eh?  Strange!  Hopefully they get it fixed and we can start an Aquasport 225 section!  

[Capt. Bob]

Spent some more time under the helm today, cleaning mostly, but organizing some wires too.  

Capt. Bob- No, I definitely don't have a positive terminal strip.  Looks like all the hot wires are coming from the back of my switch plate.  

Question:  Should I add a positive terminal strip?  Seems I've run out of free connections. I noticed today that both the Fishfinder and the AM/FM Stereo are getting their juice from the last fuse, and are spliced together.  Since I'm looking to add GPS power also, is it OK to add to this? or should I install a new strip for things like this?


So nobody can post to the photo gallery, eh?  Strange!  Hopefully they get it fixed and we can start an Aquasport 225 section!  

If it were me, I'd add a "Blue Sea" fuse block. I added one to my motorcycle for additional electrical add-ons.
This is a relatively inexpensive,marine grade fuse panel that uses the newer style fuse (think auto) and you can get them anywhere. Mount it under the console and you're good to go. They come in two sizes, look good (though you rarely see them), easy to mount, wire and make fuse changing a snap. Adding your various electronics will be much easier and better organized. You can even relieve some of the load your switch panel is now experiencing.

http://bluesea.com/category/5/21/productline/126

As far a posting to the gallery, only time will tell.