A World of Wiring with our new bunk lights! DIY 12 volt sailing boat electric systems (Ep 55)

[@farmerjimbob67]

Looking fabulous now we can see her properly. Only suggestion would be to fit rubber grommets where the cable passes through the fittings to protect from possible chaff

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yep we will do! Good idea thanks

[@Nena84734]

Wow, great job, so much light which makes for a nice comfortable space either for working or relaxing!

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yes exactly! Thanks Nena

[@ricksimpson1543]

Very nice cabin lights & nice installation as well!

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Ah cheers! Much appreciated

[@yexacom]

Hello from Finland. Yes you do a most fantastic jod: I will join you and believe I have money to spend ( I am 74 years and from Finland).

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Thanks!

[@bendaves77]

I'm glad that KZbin suggested your channel a few months back, I've watched every video since. I mentioned your cool project and channel to a few other sailing channels , i see sailing delos is building a aluminum catamaran in Australia and told them that they could really impact your project and success on KZbin by simply checking out your channel and giving you a shout out in one of their videos.. I will not quit bringing your channel up until you start being rewarded with more and more subscribers..

[@stevenself554]

A pro who rewired my old boat a number of years ago took the trouble to fix stiff and flexible plastic pipes as cable trays for the long runs fore/aft. He said he did it to protect the wires, give flex for future mods requiring cable pulls and added bonus points for clean install. I thought it was great but best to do before too much space gets filled in.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yep! Sorry we didn’t show that but all our cables run in plastic trays that have covers. Nice and safe!

[@LynSaville]

I’m not an Auto/Marine Electrician, but the way I understand Wiring and Fuses is that the Fuse is about protecting the Wire/Conductor so you install the Fuse at the beginning of the run of Wire as close to the Power Source as possible sized for the Wire you’re protecting, then the Circuits starting from the Bus Bar you Fuse each Circuit close to the Bus Bar. I’m presently wiring a Toyota Coaster that I’m converting to a Motor Home with 24V 12V& 240V Circuits with a 3000 Watt Inverter and a total of 360AHr at 24V Batteries System, and I’m also concerned about Fire. I managed to set my car on fire years ago wiring a Hi Fi the wrong way and lost the car.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

An interesting, so we are fusing both ends of the wire run but the. You say we should fuse again after the buss bar to each light?

[@errolseager1292]

@@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River Yes, as @user-wm1vs5gh8g says, you need to rate the fuse to protect the wire size, wherever you reduce the wire size IE: at your bus bars, you need to add the appropriate size fuse, if you don't and a fault occurs at the light for example the smaller wire can draw current until the larger fuse blows or the wiring burns out and potentially causing a fire, there is no need to fuse both ends of the wire, you only fuse the start end.

[@waynedoeblin6801]

Good job,it’s hard to make wiring look tidy if you don’t have cavities to hide it in.In days gone by,electricians had neat rows of cables held down with little brass or copper straps,and it was like a feature.I’m sure you’ve seen some examples of that.Looks like you’re keeping it fairly simple,so it’s not to hard to maintain,and fault find if the need arises,that’s my kind of thinking too.Besides which,all the flash systems would require robbing a bank to fund the project.Best wishes 🙂

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yeah very true! Thanks

[@peterheiberg566]

I’ve done lots of amateur wiring over the years and yours looks great. If a wire join is in a potentially damp area smearing some dielectric grease on the joint before the heat shrink seems to work wonders. Once somebody advised me that when running a bundle of wires it should look like it’s had a comb run through it. Only other thing I can think of is to get a rachet crimper. Your crimp is the always at the correct compression and very strong and you’ll use it for the rest of your life. Oh, and one more thing, keep the gaff rig!

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Hahah thanks! So good tips and tricks there. Cheers

[@Nena84734]

The cabin is so beautiful!

[@1425race]

Electrical work looks good hope you are using glued heatshrink. Makes a completely waterproof joint and you can also use glued heat shrink crimp connectors to join to wires together rather than using spade terminals, saves space, less chance of corrosion getting into the joint and is waterproof again.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yep! We love a bit of heat shrink ahah fun stuff!

[@1401196616091996]

Love it……

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Thanks! Glad to hear it

[@HKoel]

Like your interior very much. It’s cosy but for all, it’s tastefull. My compliments. When it is finished, it will looks even more amazing, I think.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Thanks so much!

[@rolandtb3]

Let there be versatile lighting. Bonus charge ports added.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yep exactly! Thanks

[@RachaelMaude]

Stunning lighting and content! Also great thumbnail 😊

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Hahaha thankyou!

[@gregg6282]

Those bunk lights haven’t changed in many years. I have them on my yacht and they were put on in 1986. Only they had halogen lights then and I have now got LED lights now

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yeah true! They are very pretty

[@canyonhaverfield2201]

My Ford truck roavinghome is Tug..21 yrs now full time home...& hands down choice is indirect soft lighting..& my rule of thumb & toe is selecting 'placement of things' where the whole shebang not only works for the particular need, yet doesn't compete( in the sense of purpose)with the neighboring 'thing' ... Over & over I've had to dope-slap myself on that one.

[@svkodoku]

Getting into wiring is fun and as you know will get complicated fast. I’ve used a small sharpie pen to write on each wire or add a piece of tape and write at every place the wire terminates and starts again - what it is and going to. This has saved me countless hours when things grow. Looking forward to your progress here. Nice work 😎

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yep that’s a good tip! Thanks, it’s getting there but yes labelling is vital!! Haha

[@bendaves77]

You can also easily use a cordless drill battery to test things that are 12 volt and if your battery quits or a switch you can still use it powering it with a Dewalt or Milwaukee etc cordless tool battery.. I have a friend who is always in the scrap yards looking for parts and this is how he tests things..

[@DavidHebden-w9g]

Another great episode !!! New lights look fantastic

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Amazing! Thanks!!

[@steveshierdoesstuff7420]

Stop it! Just stop it! How dare you start putting in these beautiful lights when I am still working on sorting out my fuel tanks. Darn, darn darn! Seriously guys, absolutely awesome as usual. Your choice of lighting is gorgeous. I have still to do a wiring diagram, but not too far away now. Anyway, keep up the fantastic work. Take care groovers, Steve.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Hey Steve thanks mate! It’s ok, we still have to fit our fuel tanks.. but as you o ow the key to boat building is victory job or jobs that give quick satisfaction! Keep pushing on mate! We will all get there, one day…

[@rosstrevor8303]

Looking good. On my boat i fitted motion sensors to all main lighting except bunk lights ,no groping in the dark for a light switch at sea. Warm white lighting looks great on a timber boat and easier on the eyes as well i think. I soldered as much as possible and used circuit breaker rather then crimp connectors and fuses that tend to suffer from corrosion over time [may be it will stand up better , time will tell] lol . Brush-On or Liquid Electrical Tape is handy and circuit board spray sealer for exposed connections. Above all do up a wiring diagram or plan as you go it will pay of down the track. Cheers

[@peterhendry2154]

You can get the plastic bits of those switches brass plated. They go in a vacuum then the brass cathode is hit with a big jolt of electricity and vaporises onto the material. Friend of mine got all the nasty grey plastic pipe clips on his copper pipes done in gold. Wow! Now he has to keep polishing the copper.

[@PeterSpringhall]

Very relaxing episode! 😊

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Ah that’s good to hear! Thanks

[@MikeAG333]

No comments on the lights or wiring, other than these are tedious chores which produce a nice result (grommets, though!). My main comment though is that we haven't really seen the interior for quite a while, and it's looking really good.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yes grommets! Good idea. We will do that. Yeah interior is coming along well thanks!

[@Davidcallard]

A great job Matt! I'm certainly no wiring guru but I have a very simple mental model about electricity which has served me well over the years: I think of electricity as if it were water and my job is simply to facilitate the flow. You begin with the supply and then you use the negative wire to enable the flow of the🎉 'water' ( electricity )to pass through whatever is the appliance to be powered and thence to the earth sink. There is one issue that I believe should always be left to the pros and it is lightning protection! There are many things that can🎉 have a huge impact on your protection such as what materìal your mast is to be made from, viz wood or metal. It just doesn't make sense to put at risk many thousands of dollars in equipment for the sake of a great earth connection! Tarkìne is going to be a fabulous ship! I am sure she is going to give you both the best of adventures for decades to come!

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Oh amazing thanks! You are very right there, lightning protection is very very important! Thanks!

[@edkleinstuber2119]

working on elect is tricky and slow, you have done a nice job and appreciate you bringing us along. Cheers to you both and thanks for sharing. Ed

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Cheers Ed, thanks for following along!

[@garygraves8950]

'Right Way Up'.......nice.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Hahah glad you liked that

[@Jacob-W-5570]

I wouldn't have said anything, but you did ask. it will look more like 'some one who knew waht they were doing' if you use junction boxes to split the wire to multiple light sources rather then splicing the cable into a light fitting. But both ways work, it's only if you want to change or expand the system that it will be more troublesome.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Oh yes true, thanks! Appreciate the advise haha

[@neilbrunyee980]

Looking really good. Keep at it

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Thanks so much Neil, we will keep going!

[@johnpettigrew9732]

TAZZIE GOLD

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Cheerzzz!

[@kentate435]

Looking beautiful

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Aw thanks!!

[@sboileau2]

Looks fantastic !!! Very Cozy.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Thanks so much!

[@stephent1117]

Great job as always. Just needed rubber grommets for a professional finish. Keep well and stay safe.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Oh thanks! Yes we will do that! Cheers

[@nigelmorgan3449]

Matt put fuses near your batteries as well just incase you make a mistake and you don’t burn the wires

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yep we have fused both ends! Thanks

[@bendaves77]

You can get alot of those dual color bulbs and lights in America online at a semi truck chrome shop.. you buy the cheapest one's and they're not going to last long but there's certain manufacturers that have 5 to 10 to lifetime replacement warranty..

[@pascalleguennec9112]

A superb boat, a very nice job and, perhaps best of all, a very beautiful couple! Well done to you and good luck... ❤ 🎉

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Thank you very much!

[@richardroy2430]

You are doing a good job.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Ah thanks!

[@DaleShirley-o1u]

Nice work!

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Thanks Dale!

[@SighardTeichmann]

nice! 🔦💡🕯🪔

[@nigelmorgan3449]

Hi matey what about a grommet to stop them rubbing when you go through the metal. Also the lights for reading maybe a bit lower

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Good idea! We will do that

[@rickestabrook4987]

Looks like a professional installed those lights. Well done!

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Thankyou!!

[@bendaves77]

All connections including splices with connectors should have some petroleum jelly put on it.. it will keep moisture out and keep corrosion from happening.. also i wouldn't be using cheap connectors, buy the ones that have solder in them and heat shrink.. then cover them with a large piece of heat shrink..

[@rick91443]

Good timing; waiting for lunch...cheers...richard in Normandy

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Enjoy Richard! Cheers

[@malliz1]

Looks pretty good mate

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Thankyou!

[@MrTallpoppy58]

Run electrics high 😀 if water enters the boat it will find the bottom of the boat .... so run your electrics as high as possible.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Hahahah a nice idea!!

[@гарин-4ртж]

🙋Слава Рукастым!✊

[@whoever7374]

Curious as to why you used bayonet connectors on the lamps vs butt connectors. The lamps are a semi-permanent installation that maybe changed out in a number of years.

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Well a good question! Things always keep moving around in the boat and wanted to be sure that if we wanted to move or disconnect the lights it was easy enough to do. But yeah beside that we didn’t really have much of a reason except that things change

[@mikem1436]

Since LED's draw very little current, what is the minimum gauge wire required to be in compliance?

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Ooooh we would have to look through our notes but a general rule is 4mm2 for lights and usb and 6mm2 for pumps etc

[@feikemanting5258]

beautiful lines already!, is lefke from friesland?

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Thanks! She’s from Eindhoven but her name is from there!

[@steveshierdoesstuff7420]

ps get well soon. :)

[@DaleShirley-o1u]

My wiring looked like spaghetti and buss bars!!

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Hahaha atleast you can eat it!?

[@karengunn4558]

Can you turn off the red light before it switches to white? Could be a bit annoying for people below decks otherwise. Just wondering

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Yep! We did make a little mention of our special bulbs in that video

[@gavinberry1796]

I am unsure about the others who watch your channel, but be careful not to lose focus - I used to watch another channel that has become focused on the partner's musical abilities!

[@jaygee5693]

👍In their last episode Maya left her violin in it's case. We watched Aladino refurbish and refit the rub rails, with no musical interludes to interrupt the flow. I'm not denying that Maya has a great musical talent, but a separate music channel would satisfy her many fans while keeping their channel focused on rebuilding Magic Carpet, then sailing her!

[@RachelReavis-ik2qw]

Wasn’t it worth all that wiring to see your beautiful wife’s smile (in the light)?

[@Building_a_Boat_by_the_River]

Hahaha well said!!