Chuck Is spot on in this post. I (shudder) have to agree with him
completely. ;-)
JIM in FL
wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:
Please recommend a good book on wiring a boat for beginners. Local
book stores and local marine supply stores only have limited number of
books on wiring, and they tend to be for advanced topics -- like wiring
a sailing boat with all kind of goodies. All I want are basic stuffs
like simple wiring diagram, and stuff for VHF radio... Preferably with
plenty of color pictures.

Any suggestion? Thanks.

Jay Chan

There's a good book called "The 12-Volt Bible".

Also, there is a lot of basic wiring information available on the ANCOR
web site.

A few general tips before you go off to study up on what the actual
experts have to say:

1. Take the time to calculate the maximum load on each circuit, measure
the distance from the battery to the load (and back), and get a large
enough wire for the job. Lots of people use wire that is too small, and
then wonder why they don't have sufficient voltage for reliable
operation.

2. Buy stranded, tinned, marine wire. Don't try to get by with the
cheaper automotive grade. You will spend not that much for for the wire
itself, when the scope of the entire project is considered, but it will
make the difference between a really good result and something that
will work only temporarily or intermittently.

3. Pay way careful attention to your connections. Use properly crimped
hardware, make sure the terminals are clean, and consider using a "heat
shrink" cover to keep water and salt away from your connection.

4. If you have a lot of connections, use a panel or at least a buss bar
rather than glom a spiderweb of crap onto the battery terminal.