DC wire colors

[KinCal]

I certainly defer to experts like Mr. Andrews but in my mind changing DC to the red/yellow current code would avoid confusion. Of course that assumes that your not changing colors in the middle of a run.

I had a boat that was black = AC hot/12vdc negative and white = AC neutral/12VDC hot. Add all the "work" done on it by the various owners and I hated working on it. Nothing labeled so you had to trace everything you worked on.

If a working professional works on a boat is it legal to wire it either way - to current code or match existing?

 

[Capt. Bill1]

quote:

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Originally posted by KinCal

If a working professional works on a boat is it legal to wire it either way - to current code or match existing?

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There is no legal issue involved either way. It's a private boat.

 

[BillyK]

I've been really busy working on the aft head and stateroom and this is what I decided to do. There were existing #6 wires that had been used for the original vacuum flush system, but had been disconnected. I traced them back and reconnected them to the buss bolts. I installed a DC sub panel in the aft head and all aft head lighting, aft stateroom lighting, aft and engine room bilge pumps, and shower sump pump all come out of the new sub panel. I changed over AC lighting to DC and made LED strips for all of the lights (no more bulbs).

I decided that everything coming out of the new sub panel is to be updated to red and yellow. I bought new wiring as such and taped everything else. There are two AC circuits in the aft end of the boat, both for receptacles (port and starboard). Everything else is DC red and yellow. I dont know if I can keep this up especially in the engine room, but I'm going to try.

Here's some pics.

Sub panel location

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Shower sump

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All the bilge pumps will be wired to a light and alarm on the bridge where I always run the ship.

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I used the old AC wires for the change over to DC lighting.

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Since corrected

Billy K.

 

[Billylll]

I would make 1 suggestion I would use crimp connectors that you seal with heat. These are usually identified by the protection sleeve being translucent blue or red depending on the wire size.
Looks great and I am only trying to be helpful.
Bill

 

[BillyK]

Hi Bill,

I used the heat seal on the two terminal blocks in the bilge. I also use them in the engine room. The rest of the boat not so much, but I will consider what you suggested.

Thanks,

Billy K.