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Connecting elec start o/b to boat wiring

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/13/2008 : 11:15:51

The new Nissan elec start o/b I purchased has larger wiring than my old o/b, and likely will not fit through the hole in the stern made by the PO. Before I just enlarge that hole, I would like to know how others have made that connection, i.e. where does your o/b wiring enter the hull?
On my boat, the leads from the battery are large wires that go under the aft berth to the stern to that area right over the skeg which is accessable inside by a removable wood hatch board. The access hole in the stern, protected outside by an exit hole cover resembling a half cone, goes directly into that space. This has made connecting/disconnecting the motor very cumbersome because it is a real pain the get the motot's wiring through that hole.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Edited by - dmpilc on 01/13/2008 11:17:20

danandlu
Navigator

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USA
175 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2008 : 12:00:42

I used a trolling motor connector through the stern. I purchased it at Sportsman's Warehouse, I found similar(?) at Cabela's -[url="http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=netcon&id=0000967013799a&navCount=1&podId=0000967&parentId=cat21380&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21380&hasJS=true"]LINK[/url]. My boat came with an older 2 stroke (no electric start or charge) so there was no hole, I had to drill a new one in the same area as you describe. I drilled just opposite from the bilge discharge hole thinking it would look balanced and access is good behind the removable cover in the quarterberth. If I had it to do over again I would have not put it where I did because I didn't take into account that the boat squats when under power and the connector is then under water. Even though the connector is supposed to be water proof I've noticed some moisture at the prongs.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2008 : 13:05:16

Dave, In '05 I switched from an'93 Johnson 9.9 electric start to a Nissan 9.8 electric start and use the same hole that Catalina provided. Because of the size of the line and the insulating boots attached, the lines have to be split and sent through one at a time. Not a big deal, just peel back about 6 " or so and send them through singly. Once inside they make up to Blue Seas System, Power Post Plus terminals. From there another cable connects them to the battery switch.

The Blue Seas terminals were from West Marine, page 633 in the 2005 catalog.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT, # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3468 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2008 : 14:09:19

David,

My motor is hooked up similar to what you described. It's a tight fit with having to feed each wire in one at a time. Then I complicated it a bit more with feeding to thin wires from my solar panel thru there as well. That hole, the wire connection and configured to prevent water entry is a definite need for an improvement project. I rather not think about it and work on other things.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2008 : 15:40:50

I installed a trolling motor plug last summer, I have been really glad people advised it. The wires come in through the scuppers.

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Dustysailz
1st Mate

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USA
85 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2008 : 15:59:15

You have the exact same motor that I have. My wires come inside the boat through the starboard stern vent, into the quarter berth at the transom. My battery is located under the starboard settee. The purchase of a 10' extension from West Marine allowed the connection to the battery terminals. All has worked well thus far. Good luck.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2008 : 20:06:16

I thought I responded last night, but it didn't show. Thanks, guys, for the suggestions. I may check out the trolling motor plug idea. We have a Bass Pro Shop here, not too far from my office.
Frank, If you have to remove the motor from the boat, will that trolling motor plug go through the scupper or do you have to remove it first?
Also, as an aside, are those your stereo speaker wires in that inspection port cover?
Val, I had to send the old motor's wires through one at a time, too.

Edited by - dmpilc on 01/14/2008 20:10:54

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2008 : 20:35:03

It fits!
Yes I put terminals in the inspection plate. The inspection plate was standard in 1989. The weather seal allows the wires to exit the lid with no damage. My speakers are mounted on my stern rail.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 06:59:32

When we made the switch to an electric start O/B on our 78 we put two through hull fittings up around the rub rail on the transom on the port side. (motor mount and sail locker on the 78) The first was for our gas tank connection since the tank went on the ledge in the sail locker. The second was for the wires for the outboard. Since we raced and the local PHRF allowed for removing the OB and stowing it in the cabin while racing we mounted a terminal post right inside the locker. From there the wires went to the battery and to the battery selector switch.

The set up worked quite well, the only thing I would have done differently would be to mount one of the "plug in" receptacles on the transom that I've seen on many boats but unfortunately could not locate a picture of online.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 15:55:52

Be careful not to overdo it with wires and hoses going through the scuppers. Those are meant to drain the cockpit. Our C22 had a similar configuration and we mounted a trolling motor connector on the transom.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 22:31:17

I'm leaning toward a transom fitting, if I can find one, so the only hose going through the scuppers is the fuel line. On the C-22, I ran the fuel line into the aft air vent cowl and then through a slit in the flex hose to the tank on the shelf, like the older C-25's. Our 84 C-25 doesn't have the air vents.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 09:19:54

Dave P.

I pass the fuel line under the traveler preferring that nothing obstruct the scuppers, except that when the boys were really young and getting bored I'd plug the scuppers and flood the cockpit with about five inches of water and let them "swim". It worked for a while and then they outgrew it.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT, # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 09:35:20

It would have to rain toads to plug my scuppers in Kansas and if that happens I will not be worrying about my boat!

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 13:29:28

According to BoatUS most sailboat sinkings occur at the dock. Many are from bad thru-hulls but others are from the cockpit filling and changing the waterline which then puts thru-hulls underwater that shouldnt be, etc. Often the scuppers or drains get blocked by debris such as leaves. It pays to be attentive to those scuppers.

Edited by - on

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.