Wiring to blank spots

[wyldewood]

I am attempting to install a couple of accessories to my 1980 DLX and am in need of some initial guidance. I want to install a VHF radio and GPS unit to the top of the console. I have several blank toggle spots and I am planning on using one for each. I have purchased a couple of on-off toggle switches with rubber boots but I am unsure on where to get the power. After looking under the console I see that there is a red and orange wire going to the blank spots. What is the proper way for supplying the units with juice. Any pictures or guidance would be awesome. I think it is pretty simple but just nervous about hurting the new boat.
Thanks,
WyldeWood 008

[lakebiker]

I actually pulled the track up and installed seperate hot and cold wires from the battery for my installs, fused of course. Probably an easier way what with all the wires under the console but I took what for me was the safest way.
012

[Shakespeare]

WyldeWood, you should see a wire daisy chained between all the toggle switches... that should be your hot (+12V) and it should be a red wire, but don't go to the bank on that (as far as color). The common will be a little more elusive. If you have any gauges with backlighting then you should be able to catch one of the commons going there. I would hope that would be a black wire, but anything goes underneath a CS console. A cheapo test meter would confirm things for you.

The other thing that comes to mind is you'll find a feeder that originates at the battery and ends up in the console. If you can identify those two wires then you'll have your hot and common. The feeder should be fused at the battery. That's what I hooked onto until I have a chance to follow lakebiker's suggestion of pulling a new feeder over and straightening out all that mess.

Mike C.

[redfish74]

I did the same as Lakebiker, pulled up the track and ran + and - from the battey with a 30 amp toggle on the battery. That way I could cut the power when not in use. Also this will give you plenty of voltage for all your acc.