Bespoke electrical switch / fuse panel

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NFCN

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Have tried the Search facilty but can't find the answer - yet I know it's been discussed before...

A winter job this year is to modernise the 12v system. The 30 year old system on my M33 is old fashioned - push-pull knobs and old metal-strip style fuses hidden inaccessibly.

I'm after a modern switch panel with integrated lights / fuses - but would really like one made to a specific size with the yacht's name engraved on it. Christmas present idea etc.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier who will make one up to order?

Many thanks.

Nick
 
Taplin International made mine. Excellent but pricy and therefore you have to be in Santa's good books. If you are keeping boat a long time worth it though.
 
NFCN said:
Can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier who will make one up to order?

Many thanks.

Nick
Click to expand...
Try your local sports trophy shop - no joke - they should be able to engrave the panel for you and cut all the holes - all you need to do is fit the switches etc.
 
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A few tricks from experience

We just built a custom electrical panel for Vega last year and managed to build it to commercial aircraft specs at less than what companies like BEP wanted for much much less. First the panel: Get a friend who is good at design to lay out your panel in Adobe Illustrator in actual size. Don't forget the sexy drawing of your boat and holes for the LEDS to show if the running lights etc are on. Then for the components: Go to a surplus aircraft parts shop or just wonder out to the airport maintenance facilities and ask for out of date Airpax switches for DC and AC in the sizes you will need. The white ones are usually DC and the Back ones AC. Remember the volt and amp meters for both AC and DC and the frequency meter for the AC. There are a load of small parts but make a drawing of your electrical panels systems and then a parts list. Most of it are things like terminal strips and the like. Took me 3 weeks to find all the parts, 2 weeks waiting for the local sign shop to make the panel and a week to put it all together. I made a stainless steel box for ours and used waterproof glands to bring in the connections. Surveyor says it is way and above what he usually sees and gave it top ratings for the insurance. I know it sounds like a lot but well well worth the effort and you get the sexy outline of your boat from the side and top to boot!
 
Traffolite

I've been planning to do this for ages but have yet to get round to it.

I was thinking of using Traffolite, which is the stuff they make tags and labels for building services plant out of. It's a laminate of two colours, engrave through the top one to reveal a contrasting colour underneath.

there's lots of places that do it, just google for one near you.
 
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