Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: Stu Jackson on March 09, 2009, 11:27:18 AM

Title: Drawing Wiring Diagrams
Post by: Stu Jackson on March 09, 2009, 11:27:18 AM
We've been discussing electrical systems and how they work.  As a result of a long discussion about echo chargers on www.catalinaowners.com (here: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=105813) an associated thread asked about how to find easy-to-use software for drawing wiring diagrams.

The link provided was in this thread: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=105866

It's called "Tiny Cad," see: http://tinycad.sourceforge.net/

I haven't used it myself and don't vouch for the "easy to use" part.   :D

I used the "DRAW" feature of Microsoft Word to make my wiring diagram.  Craig used Visio.

Craig's is Reply #14 here:  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4787.0.html

Mine is Reply #23, here:  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4623.15.html
Title: Re: Drawing Wiring Diagrams
Post by: Mike Denest on March 10, 2009, 05:07:36 AM
I use Visio for all my work drawings, it's part of the Microsoft Office program and it's very easy to use.  Files can be opened on any computer that has Visio installed.  You create a background in several sizes with all your drawing block information then create a foreground overlay drawing size according to the circuit you want to do. 
Title: Re: Drawing Wiring Diagrams
Post by: Craig Illman on March 10, 2009, 10:16:55 AM
I used Visio, then saved it as a JPG. You can download a free copy of Visio viewer from Microsoft. We've used Visio at work for our network diagrams since before they were absorbed by Microsoft. I'm not the artist with it compared to my co-worker.
Title: Re: Drawing Wiring Diagrams
Post by: Ken Juul on March 10, 2009, 11:01:29 AM
It's not as automatic as some of the other programs, but PowerPoint can also be used.
Title: Re: Drawing Wiring Diagrams
Post by: Stu Jackson on March 22, 2009, 04:05:28 PM
The co.com thread has been updated.  Try this:  http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=610701#post610701
Title: Re: Drawing Wiring Diagrams
Post by: Stu Jackson on July 09, 2009, 11:37:05 AM
WHY WIRING DIAGRAMS ARE A REALLY GOOD IDEA

Just before I broke my leg skiing in January, I'd installed a nifty powered subwoofer for our stereo system in the saloon.  After four months I finally got down to the boat again, but the brand new subwoofer wasn't working!!!  So I dedicated a day to troubleshooting, checked voltages, nada, finally opened the back of the electrical panel and traced the wires.  I'd gotten REALLY creative and had tied the subwoofer to the (shower) sump pump switch!!!  Why?  I'd figured that when I was topsides I didn't need the subwoofer down below, and it was "kinda cute" to be able to turn it on and off to hear the difference!  Smart?  You betcha!  Dumb?  Yup, I didn't do a wiring diagram nor finish noting that's how I'd wired it!!!  And after four months, no way I'd ever have remembered that little brain gem, right? (I also hadn't intended to do a number on my leg right after I installed the subwoofer, either... :cry4`)
Title: Re: Drawing Wiring Diagrams
Post by: Stu Jackson on August 13, 2012, 11:05:15 AM
Just came across this:  http://www.diagram.ly/

WORD draw is pretty much the same.