Re: M_Boats: Montgomery 15 Electrical

[Stanley Winarski]

Hello Steve,

Welcome to the world of Montgomerys.

Here's a brief description of my electrical installation experience.

Running lights

I bought a bi-color rail mounting running light which I installed on the bow pulpit. I drilled into the pulpit and ran the marine grade two strand wire inside the tubing and through the hull via a hole drilled under the aft-most stanchion, sealing it to ensure no water would get into or through the deck. Inside the cabin, I ran the wire along the deck-to-hull joint.

Aft I mounted an 18" fold-down stern light with the lead running under the cockpit seat and taped to the ceiling on the stbd side. Some day I'll replace this with one that is completely removable because as presently installed, it gets in the way (even when down) when I come aboard using a stern mounted step. I've modified the lens so that it doesn't shine back into the cockpit but covers the aft and the requisite 67.5 degrees forward on each side. Not doing so floods the cockpit with so much light your night vision will be severely impaired. I didn't use a transom mounted light because the motor and rudder would block much of it's visibility underway. I want the visibility high and bright when night sailing on the Chesapeake.

I fashioned a mount for the mast head (from an aluminum door kick plate) on which is mounted a white all around running light for when I run under power, an anchor light, and the VHF radio antenna. I used a three strand marine cable for these, using a common ground and controlling which is lighted by toggle switches on the two "hot" lines.

I ran the wire (and antenna coax cable) through the inside of the mast and snuffed them in place using foam pipe insulation tubes from Lowe's . Others have recommended using wire ties every foot or so leaving the tails to keep the wires from slapping inside the mast.

Through hull connectors at the base of the mast permit removing the mast for transporting. (Don't do as I did and mount one of them too far forward where the jib sheets manage to get tangled with it.)

In the cabin, all wire are run to the side walls (ceilings) and held in place (except on really hot days) with Velcro strips. (Clean the surface very thoroughly with thinner before applying or the Velcro will not hold even in cool weather.)

Where the wires congregate, I've encased them in light weight split plastic tubing just to keep them "shipshape".

I've mounted the 12 V deep cycle gel battery in the locker under the v-berth. Cushioned the underside with a rubber floor mat and braced the battery so it will not bounce around underway. Ran the main power cable through the stbd storage compartment and out the aft end of it using grommets to ensure the fiberglass will not cut through.

From there the main line goes up to a small control panel mounted (slaving off existing through hull connections rather then drilling new ones) in the corner aft of the stbd window and the back wall of the cabin. Have the radio mounted above it too for easy but relatively dry access from the cockpit.

Circuit breakers on each circuit - and a 12 v cigarette lighter type plug for supplemental power needs.

That panel controls two interior lights as well as all the running, anchor, etc.

Hope this helps.

Stan
M-15, #177, Carol II


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