RIB Re-Wire & Options

[Matty75]

Morning all.

I'm looking for any advice, recommendations, options & opinions on getting the RIB re-wired.

Suppose I'll start off with the first question and just add to the list as it springs to mind.....

1) When it comes to a RIB re-wire, what would the basic re-wire job consist of, i.e. scope of the job, what would be "attacked" first? Is it a case of ripping out ALL the existing wiring and replacing with new?

2) In addition to a "basic" re-wire, what other options would be available, advantageous, beneficial etc.? Any exotic options worth thinking about?

3) Who would you recommend for a re-wire job, a specialist who really knows their stuff and would complete the wiring like a "work of art" as opposed to a "birds nest" (with particular reference to the inside of the console)?

Thanks.

Matt.

[Jon Tallis]

Originally Posted by Matty75

Morning all.



I'm looking for any advice, recommendations, options & opinions on getting the RIB re-wired.



Suppose I'll start off with the first question and just add to the list as it springs to mind.....



1) When it comes to a RIB re-wire, what would the basic re-wire job consist of, i.e. scope of the job, what would be "attacked" first? Is it a case of ripping out ALL the existing wiring and replacing with new?



2) In addition to a "basic" re-wire, what other options would be available, advantageous, beneficial etc.? Any exotic options worth thinking about?



3) Who would you recommend for a re-wire job, a specialist who really knows their stuff and would complete the wiring like a "work of art" as opposed to a "birds nest" (with particular reference to the inside of the console)?



Thanks.



Matt.

Hi Matty.
Having done this on my boat last year (lockdown project).......
1) where to start...... Depends on condition of existing but if your wiring looked anything like mine then yes, rip everything out (except the engine looms!) and start again.
2) options.... Obviously provide space (both physical and electrical capacity) for any planned future new toys, with some spare capacity over the top. A lot easier to put in the next size up fuse box / bus bar / switch panel now than try to tag on later. Install a main isolator switch if you don't already have one. Make sure absolutely everything is proper marine spec (no automotive bits), all tinned copper wire, either soldered and heat-shrunk or adhesive heat-shrunk crimps. For hardware (fuse boxes, bus bars, switches etc) it's hard to beat Blue Sea Systems stuff - not cheap but top quality. All connections must be above bilge / deck flooding level no matter how well waterproofed.
3) As for an installer, that's the hard bit..... Do your research and look at their past work on similar boats. I see you're in Liverpool - there should be some good people in that area which I'm sure others can recommend. I'm in West Wales and if I hadn't done the job myself I'd use Quinquari without hesitation but they're a long way from you. Nothing wrong in principle with using a good auto-electrician provided they understand the quality of work required to make marine electrics perform reliably.
Good luck!

[GuyC]

For the scope you could break it up into the power supply to the fuse box and then from the fuse box to the consumers. You also have a division between electrics (lights, bilge pump etc) and electronics (chart plotter, AIS). Personally in for a penny, in for a pound and replace the lot.

Plus one for Blue Sea stuff, tinned wiring and adhesive lined connectors. Over spec the cabling and make sure you have some spare fuseways.

‘Exotic’ - NMEA 2000, separate hotel load battery, decent kit, LED nav lights, waterproof USB connectors. TBH the list is endless but I’d stop short of stereo’s and underwater lights.

I don’t know who to recommend.

[GuyC]

Could a kind mod shift this to the electrical part of the forum please.

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by GuyC

Could a kind mod shift this to the electrical part of the forum please.

Done

[Chris Caton]

Hi Matt,

if you're in no rush to get the re-wire done I could give you a hand, I'm based on The Wirral. personally I would keep the wiring as simple as possible, the more you add the more chance of having a problem, and keeping it simple helps with future fault finding, nothing worse than looking for faults when you're out on the water!

cheers, Chris

[rou7]

https://youtu.be/mWIr9iJy8cA

Sorry,just could help myself