Forums, Electrical Systems, Navigation and Safety equipment, Jungle of wires

James Chew at 01/09/2013 19:30:50
Hi everyone,

I have a 1973 Contessa and throughout the summer I have an issue with getting the Nav lights to work – every time I fix them they soon fail again. I’m sure the problem is something simple but I can’t find it because the boat is full of 40 years worth of old wiring. Removing the switch panel reveals a tangle of wires like spaghetti, some of it not connected to anything, the rest of it untraceable as it disappears into dark spaces I cannot access bundled up with other wires all of the same colour.

As things are at the moment, I stand little chance of being able to fix any problem that arises, particularly at sea. My question is, is this the case with a lot of Contessas? Has anyone rewired their boat, or paid an electrician to do it? Is there some trick to improve the situation?

Many thanks.

moongirl at 04/09/2013 21:24:49
James
Ping me an e-mail colinking at talktalkbusiness.net and I will send you a screed about wiring (it’s one of the chapters I am writing about CO32s in a little book based on 30 years of experience of the boats)
Regards

Colin aka Moongirl

James Chew at 04/09/2013 23:26:29
Thanks Colin.

Keny at 05/09/2013 19:58:57
James
A rewire really hinges around a new switch panel. Have you looked further down the forum under Distribution Panel ?
I made mine using push button switches which gives a great versatility of design. I could help you with this if you like.
All the power leads come from 2 posts next to the batteries.
It could be a way to while away those Winter months !
Keny

James Chew at 08/09/2013 14:04:54
Hi Keny. My panel is just a rectangle of plastic with seven switches and one fuse next to each switch. Should it be more than that?

James

Keny at 08/09/2013 16:44:07
:James

Sounds like you have the original panel. Most owners either purchase a new one of different shape or make one like mine to fit the original footprint. They both use current trips instead of fuses and toggle switches. This eliminates most of the troublesome elements.
keny