Category Archives: Whatever

Adding outlet for GPS and cellphone

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Hello Kevin

I have enjoyed many of your posts and have decided to put an dc power outlet on my boat, so I can use my GPS, charge my cell, etc.

I would really like it if there would be power without the engine on and I am curious to know if I can wire it through my ignition to accommodate that?

There are two wires, grey + and white -. Can you steer me in the right direction?

Gratefully yours,

Dewayne

Dewayne,

Pontoons often have a fuse block under the helm. This is a great place to connect your 12 volt receptacle and it has 12 volt power without the engine on.

Use one of the open fuses for your grey + wire and connect your white – wire to the negative buss. I would not use a fuse larger than 10 amps for a 12 volt receptacle.

Happy boat wiring,

Kevin

Clever “QuickConnect” for DIY Pontoon Electrical

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Several of our readers have alerted us to a very slick offering from the folks at Pontoonstuff.com. Their new QuickConnect line goes a long ways towards alleviating the confusion (and headaches) caused by adding major electrical components to – or totally rewiring – an older pontoon boat.

Pre-loaded and pre-wired to make installation exceptionally easy, the Pontoonstuff QuickConnect system includes OEM quality gauge panels, switch panels, accessory harnesses, and even a deck-mounted light holder complete with sidelights, horn, and docking lights. And, as the name suggests, all of these parts are engineered to be quickly connected together by the boat owner.

It is obvious that a lot of thought went into this system, which is built from the highest quality marine grade materials. Everything is strictly first-class, from Carling switches and Faria gauges on the panels to the Attwood and AFI components in the light pod. All of these parts are then wired with the finest quality copper wire – tinned for superior corrosion-resistance. As you would expect, both the wiring and the circuit protection accurately anticipate the usual amp draw for each accessory.

This QuickConnect family of products assures that DIY electrical work can be done both quickly and safely – at least for pontoons. One wonders why a similar system couldn’t be offered for other types of boats?