Electrical Tools and Supply Recommendations
Having a good set of electrical tools and supplies on board is essential. Saltwater, dampness, and constant vibration wreck havoc on electrical connectors and wiring. Being able to quickly test, diagnose, and fix a problem while at the dock or underway is important and being able to preventative maintain the wiring and connectors is even better.
Many of us had or have basic tools on our ‘first boat’ and gradually built on those tools as the boats got bigger and more complex. So, the tool recommendations are separated into 2 categories: “Basic” (DC only) and “Advanced” (AC and DC power):
Basic Tools (DC only, smaller boat)
Advanced Tools (AC/shore power, inverters, larger boat, etc.)
Basic Supplies (DC only, smaller boat)
Advanced Supplies (AC/shore power, inverters, larger boat, etc.)
Note: most of the tools & supply links below are Amazon affiliate links (AKA, Amazon pays on qualifying purchases and we use those funds to off-set the Square Space expenses associated with our Boater’s page). This gives you an opportunity to gain further information about books, read reviews and link the books listed, and gives us a very small percentage to cover the cost of this boating page.
Basic Tool Kit
Basic Electrical Tool Recommendations (for DC only boats, No AC power):
Digital Multimeter: Etekcity Auto-Ranging True RMS
Circuit Tester:
Alligator Clips Jumper Wires: TL–10 SE
RolGear Screwdriver (Amazon or direct from RolGear)
Electrical Screwdriver Set: Wera
Compound Plier 3 pc Set: DWHT70485 or
Side Cutting Plier Klein D213
Diagonal Wire Cutters Klein D248–8
Needle-nose Pliers Klein D203–6
Double Crimp Ratchet Tool: SG 18900 or
Cut/Crimp/Strip Wiring Tool: Klein 1010 or
Double Crimp Tool: Ancor 701030
Less Expensive w/great reviews: Ratcheting Wire Terminal Crimper: Titan 11477
Automatic Wire Stripper: Klein 11063 or less expensive Capri
Butane Lighter for Shrink Tubing or Torch lighter found at convenient stores or gas stations
Measuring Tape: Komelon SL2925
Optional Items:
LED Flashlight 300+ Lumens: Ultrafire
LED Work Lights (Harbour Freight) item 63601
Headlamps (Energizer Vision HD+ 215 to 315 lumens with red light option)
Rechargeable batteries: EBL AA and EBL AAA - not the best but the best for the price
Rechargeable battery charger: La Crosse BC500 - compact and built to work on AC or DC but is no longer available (will update soon)
Electrical knife/tool: Squirt ES4
Rechargeable Bug Zapper: Beastron
Battery (AA) operated pump: Tera - rated for fuel but I use mine in the bilge
Tool Bags - Milwaukee and Veto MC or MCT bags
Tools/Supply Boxes: Stanley 014725,
For more recommendations, see Practical-Sailor’s article on Strippers and Crimpers. or the How To’s at Compass Marine.
:
Advanced Tool Kit
Advanced Electrical Tool Recommendations (shore power, inverters, larger boat, etc.)
All of the ‘Basic Electrical Tools’ - plus:
Clamp-on Amp Meter: UNI-T UT210D Digital AC/DC Current Voltage Resistance Capacitance Clamp Meter
Non-Contact Volt Tester: Fluke 1AC-A1-II
(for testing AC outlet and cords)
GFI Outlet Tester: Sperry GFI6302
(for testing shore and boat outlets)
Double Crimp Ratchet: Ancor 701030 (not for heat shrink)
FOR HEAT SHRINK connectors, use heat shrink compatible crimpers:
Anchor Heat Shrink Crimpers
Crimping Pliers by Eacker
Automatic Wire Stripper: Ancor 701030
Lug Crimper, if needed: Ancor 702040 or
Less Expensive Lug Crimper: Ancor 701010
Cable cutter 9.5 inch: Klein 63050
Electrician’s Screwdriver Set: Wera 1760i or
Electrician’s Screwdriver Set: Wiha 32091
Precision Screwdriver Set: 9 pc
Heat Gun to Shrink Tubing: Wagner 503008
Soldering Gun: Hakko FX–888
More Expensive: Hakko FX–888D
Less Expensive: J&L 60w
Rosin Solder 60–40+flux: AT–31604
Optional Items:
Cordless Drill/Driver is essential for pre-drilling screw holes, installing screw/bolts and cutting hole (cables, deck fittings, etc.). We started with an 18v set but have downsized to the 12v with exception to our Makita angle grinder, jigsaw and vacuum (REALLY NICE). The 12v tools do the trick and cut with smaller precision, such as 12v circular saw or recipro saw.
Compact 12v Cordless Combination 3/8" Drill / Driver and 1/4" Hex Impact Driver: Milwaukee M12 or Makita 12v sets
Drill/Drive Bits: Milwaukee 1500
Plus Driver Set: Milwaukee 40 bit set
Mini Propane torch: Portasol 010389010 or
Mini Propane torch: Bernzomatic or just get a ’torch’ lighter from a convenient or cigarette store
Battery Load Tester: Schumacher BT–100
(great for testing stored or old batteries)
Wire Marker Dispenser: ZipTap
(Handy for expediently marking multiple wires)
Brother P-Touch Label Maker, PT-D600, PC-Connectable, includes AC charger :(We love this label printer! Print wire wraps or flags!):
I use this Amazon site for Brother branded Labels
And this Amazon site for “compatible” labels
For Electrical wire labels, I recommend Flexible Tapes (“FX”): TZe-FX251 (1”[24mm] Black on White)
Optional: TZe-FX231 (1/2”[12mm] Black on White) and TZe-FX651 (1”[24mm] Black on Yellow)
For important or outdoor labels, I use Extra Strength Adhesive Tapes: TZe-S251 (1”[24mm] Blk on Wht), and TZe-S651 (1”[24mm] Blk on Yellow)
Optional: TZe-S231 (1/2”[12mm] Blk on Wht), TZe-S241 (3/4”[18mm] Blk on Wht),
TZe-S631 (1/2”[12mm] Blk on Yellow), TZe-S641 (3/4”[18mm] Blk on Yellow),
TZe-S131 (1/2”[12mm] Blk on Clear, to blend in)
For basic label needs (e.g. food containers, etc), I use Standard Tapes:
Black on White: TZe-231 (1/2”[12mm]), TZe-241 (3/4”[18mm]),TZe-251 (1”[24mm])
Optional: TZe-135 (1/2”[12mm] Blacl on Clear, to blend in)
TZe-131 (1/2”[12mm] White on Clear, to blend in)
TZe-631 (1/2”[12mm] Black on Yellow),
TZe-411 (3/4”[18mm] Black on Red)
Note: You can go wild with dozens of color and size tapes available, especially from package deals from the compatibles. And FYI, I found that one set compatible tapes that I purchased did not have the same print quality in my Brother Cube printer but printed ok on our PT-2730.
Basic Supply Kit
Basic Electrical Supply Recommendations (for DC only boats, No AC power)
Wire Connectors: Ancor 220003 or If you can afford heat shrink connecters (e.g. Ancor, AMP, Molex, FTZ, 3M and others), they will save you time. FYI: for heat shrink connectors, buying in bulk packs of 100 pieces in a box will save you a ton of money, just find 1or 2 other boaters to split the 100 pack. More on this later.
Terminals (rings) Ancor Rings,
Blades (flanged spades) Ancor Spades
Butts Ancor Butts and
Step Down Butts Ancor Step downs - Step Downs Butts are essential!
Tinned marine wire supply Ancor Wire
Electrical Tape Scotch
Heat Shrink Tubing Ancor 301506
Heat Shrink Tubing Ancor 304506
Metal Cable Clamps Ancor 403892
Nylon Cable Clamps Ancor 400000
Nylon Cable Ties GB 50098
Nylon Cable Holders (white) Amico
Nylon Cable Holders (black) Amico
Fuse holders:
ATO/ATC, 10ga, 30A Ancor 607023
ATO/ATC, 14ga, 15A Ancor 607022
AGC/MDL, 12–18ga, 30A Ancor 607013
(Extra fuses all types used on the boat)
12v Cigarette plug Marinco 12VPG
12v Cigarette Receptacle Marinco
Spare bulb sockets:
Dielectric Permatex 31824
Advanced Supply Kit
Advanced Electrical Supply Recommendations (shore power, inverters, larger boat, etc.)
All of the ‘Basic Electrical Supplies’ - plus:
Tip: For large projects, consider purchasing connectors in bags/jugs of 25, 50 or 100 and wire by the spool, especially Safety duplex.
Duplex Safety Wire Ancor Duplex
Marine Grade Battery Cable Ancor Cable
Nylon Cable Ties Ancor Ties
Big Selection of Connectors Ancor
Lugs in assorted sizes Ancor Lugs
Terminals Bars Blue Sea 2302
Terminals Bars Blue Sea 2406
Terminals Bars Blue Sea 2722
Bus Bars Blue Sea 2314
Bus Bars Blue Sea 2315
Single Post Blue Sea 3/8
Circuit ON/OFF Switch Blue Sea 6006
Spare Circuit breakers Ancor Breaker
Grommets 180 pieces
(plus old garden hose)
Split tubing Ancor
Split tubing Shield
Split tubing Trident
Spiral wrap Ancor
Spare Coax and VHF connectors
Note: Split Tubing and Spiral Wrap must be Self-extinguishing in accordance with UL 94 v.2 and ABYC.
Optional Items:
Replacement LED bulbs no.58
Replacement LED bulbs no.1004/1156
Replacement LED bulbs no.90
Replacement LED bulbs G4 Warm
Replacement LED bulbs B15D Dbl
Replacement LED bulbs B15D Cool
Led Dome Light SeaSense
Led Reading Light SeaSense
12v test battery (old power tool battery or two 6v in series) with a fused alligator clip for pre-testing or isolated testing of devices
Tip: Consider using marine grade Nylon connections which will better resist corrosion, cracking and falling apart in a marine environment. And if not using heat shrink connectors, always use heat shrink adhesive lined tubing to help protect the wire against corrosion from moisture and strain on the connector.