Tracing and mapping wiring

[Half Share]

I thought it would be good idea to trace out and make a diagram of the boats wiring. My goal is to become familiar with what I have and label and map it out. There are a multitude of meters available and I wanted to see what you guys are using.

Is there a good way to label the wires or is making a schematic best?

As some of you know I have gone from never owning or really boating to owning a 26' cape cruiser so the learning curve is steep. Appreciate the patience with the first of many questions

Mitch

[MOOSE]

When we first bought the MOOSE, it, fortunately, did not have a lot of equipment on it. So, being electrically challenged, the first thing I did was to trace the existing wiring and then I made up a diagram using the drawing tools in MS Excel. It took my a while to get the hang of how to do that, but I could color code the wires and represent large gauge wires with thick lines, etc. Then, as I added equipment, I would figure out from each set of instructions how to wire it and then added it to my diagram. As a reminder, I could then take the diagram down to the boat and I knew just what needed to be done. Over the years, those diagrams have been worth all the effort I put into them during trouble-shooting episodes. Memories fade, but I can always go back to the diagrams and figure things out again. I'm still no electrical whiz, but there is no substitute for doing it yourself and knowing your own systems.
Al

[thataway]

I use a labeler and print plastic labels 1/4 or 3/8" wide and wrap them around each wire and I trace it out. Often I have to label the wire at the origin along the way and at the terminus. I do occasionally use a signal tracer, but most of the time, just a cheap volt meter. Probably one of the better buys is a Sears clamp on/AC/DC ammeter which also reads volts, and resistance. I have several of the cheaper digital volt meters which for the most part as well as a Fluke high end meter. There are some places where the higher quality meter is better, but not for the type of tracing you are doing. Sperry and Greenlee make decent meters at a reasonable price.

I don't draw out the wiring. I can remember the circuits after tracing them out, and when I have a problem the labels refresh my mind.

The basic wiring is simple, but when you add VSR and a circuit for an indicator, or combining, then it gets a bit more complicated, and diagram would be of help down the line. On the other hand, I have been fooling around with this stuff for over 60 years--A good marine electrical book is helpful. Such as one by Nigel Calder, or Charlie Wing. There is also the 12 volt electrical hand book for boats. Even the old "Spa Creek" electrical guide has a lot of good clues.