1977 ski dashboard wiring diagram

I am looking for a wiring diagram for the electrical work under the dash as well as a detailed pic of an original dash so i can figure out what i need to do first as my situation is a little messed up. Switches and gauges are not in the right place, are broken, are missing, or are loose. Thanks!

My 76 was a disaster when I started also. The previous owner had removed switches and wires were hanging. Some wires were even cut or crimped to other wires. Luckily all the gauges were in place and connected. I've never understood why people feel the need to jump in and start moving wires all around. As restorers it makes our lives challenging!

Something you might consider while you're in there is to remove the old ammeter and replace it with a voltmeter. The problem with the ammeter is all the power for your boat must travel through the gauge. Many times the gauge becomes a source of problems from a resistance standpoint. Sometimes it is due to a worn out gauge and sometimes poor connections. The problem is the ammeter can overheat causing more resistance and more heat. It's a downward spiral from there. I have actually burned my hand on ammeters before! Older Chrysler/Plymouth cars used the ammeter and many were plagued with wiring problems as a result. You can find more information at www.madelectrical.com if you're interested.

Changing to a voltmeter is acceptable and will give you plenty of information about the charging system without having to pass all the system current.

Just something to consider.

Matt

Chris, have to disagree on the Ampmeter VS Voltmeter issue..
Two reasons for my veiws on this matter..
#1 All the amperage has to leave the alt. go forward to the guage and then a return path to the battery.Old wire , bad connections along with high resistance = HEAT.Heat ,plastic and fuel make for one hell of a FIRE......

#2 A voltmeter tells the state of charge, or actual Voltage that is stored in the battery. Kinda like a fuel guage for the battery, it will also show the actual voltage being sent to the battery, 14 volts or better will show that you are charging.Any reading below this says " you are removing faster than you adding" and there may be a problem................

Ever wonder why they no longer use this type set up with all modern charging systems???

Chris, do your research about old cars and ampmeters......
My biggest issue here is that most all Delco and Motorola OEM alt. put out a max amperage of 35 amps, This is about all a #10 wire will handle.
Any aftermarket unit that is purchased today will max out at between 65 for the base 10SI delco to 110 for upgraded version.
This is my point,If you shove 65 amps down a #10 wire you are asking for problems, increase the draw in any way and you have the potetial for SMOKE...........
Old saying in the boating world;
It aint hard to let the smoke out of a wire, but try to put it back IN..........Boat dr

Tim, hopefully you are on the same page as me...
Most boaters do not know the rating on their alt,nor do they care till they smell smoke.
The easier softer way for the boat dr. would be tie both wires together on the batt. side of a volt meter, then run a new 4 or 8 ga. wire directly from the output side of the alt. directly to the starter solenoid.
This will solve the problem easier and with less wire than with the "old ampmeter wiring circuit"........
Golly Gee Tim We Agree on somethings...
Not on your choice of props but somethings.........Boat dr

77nautique wrote: I believe my 100 a alternator is fine I think i need to get under the dash and do alot more than i thought.

The alt may be fine, but it sounds like your wiring is a serious fire hazard (in addition to being intermittently functional). If youre planning on keeping the voltmeter, you'll want to make sure that everything is wired correctly using this schematic. Like I mentioned in my last post, the wire running from the alt to the dash needs to either be A) sized to handle the full current rating of the alternator (4 awg for 100A) or B) fused appropriately (under the max rating of the wire and as close to the alternator as possible). Otherwise, you run the risk of setting your boat on fire.

Get the boat safe first, then worry about adding a second battery.

TRBenj wrote: 77nautique wrote: I believe my 100 a alternator is fine I think i need to get under the dash and do alot more than i thought. The alt may be fine, but it sounds like your wiring is a serious fire hazard (in addition to being intermittently functional). If youre planning on keeping the voltmeter, you'll want to make sure that everything is wired correctly using this schematic. Like I mentioned in my last post, the wire running from the alt to the dash needs to either be A) sized to handle the full current rating of the alternator (4 awg for 100A) or B) fused appropriately (under the max rating of the wire and as close to the alternator as possible). Otherwise, you run the risk of setting your boat on fire. Get the boat safe first, then worry about adding a second battery.

and don't forget to revise the wiring at the back of the motor as they are not connected to the start relay and from the wiring harness for a Voltmeter application as they are with an Ampmeter application. Thus your wiring issue under the dash as well.

Not big but takes some care, even with the right wire terminations can be a problem that can cause excessive heat buildup moreso with corrosion. Make sure you make proper crimps on your terminations ( I usually solder them as well) and use some good heat shrink). As for the extra battery I doubt you will need it unless you really want to crank music multiple hours without starting the motor. I ran two amps off one blue top all last year without an issue probably at least for an hour and half a few times.

I have seen 3 boats burned down to the water line, two were brand new and under warranty with electrical problems and one was pretty new and the owner had voided his warranty by improperly installing a cigarette lighter to let his kids add a portable cd player to the factory stereo... he didn't even have insurance.

JoeinNY wrote: I have seen 3 boats burned down to the water line

...and I was only worried about making it back to the dock!