Choice of switch panals.

coopec said:
"The knack is to achieve the balance of price/quality that suits you".

I won't argue with that. There's some pretty rough looking yachts out there but I've found that generally they are the ones that have done a circumnavigation!:rolleyes:
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That is true. Boats and the quality of the materials you use are a function of your approach to life (and your pocket, of course!)
 
coopec said:
If you went for quality all the time even when the fuse/switch/circuit breaker/ light bulb is non critical you'd quickly go broke.
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I'd consider any switch, fuse or circuit breaker critical. The difference in price isn't usually enough to cause one to go broke.

I did an engine rewire on a large motorboat a few years back, a stop solenoid failed internally and circuit breaker failed to trip. The wiring overheated and melted, filled the whole boat up with thick black smoke. They caught it just in time, as it was a foot from a 750 litre diesel tank. Also lucky because they were liveaboards, been extremely serious it it had happened during the night.

I suggest most electronic components are made in China and are probably dead copies of the "branded version".
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It's true that a great many electronic components are made in China. Not everything made there is rubbish. A lot of big brand names have equipment made there, but to their own specifications and standards. The problem is, some companies will make complete rubbish, often looking like a branded item. The issue is identifying the good from the bad.
 
There are a million to chose from here Boat Electricals. No connection to them and never bought from them but a UK company so at least there should be some support. I wouldn't bother with a Voltmeter on the panel. You can get USB sockets with voltage readout. If you want a proper battery monitor then it will need it's own space somewhere.

My problem with all the prefab panels is the fuse/CB ratings. Always too many high Amp. Which is why I made my own. Looks better and cost less.
 
Having been a frequent traveller to China and visited many factories / terminals etc.

As well as the previous R&D Manager of well known Mobile Phone Co a pal of mine ...

>>>>>>>>>>>
I know that many branded items produced to Branded Specs etc. are also copied in same factories and sent out with 'similar' label ... a letter left off or changed etc. The physical product is often same - but the programming and final setup is done by the Brand company.

When I asked my pal why they let it continue - his answer was simple :

1. The programming itself stops their knock-off working exactly same as ours.
2. People trust a Brand Name - even in China - the Chinese prefer to buy the original as its a 'prestige' thing.
3. Chinese production is on time, near zero production rejects, price.

Can't argue with that.
 
Buck Turgidson said:
There are a million to chose from here Boat Electricals. No connection to them and never bought from them but a UK company so at least there should be some support. I wouldn't bother with a Voltmeter on the panel. You can get USB sockets with voltage readout. If you want a proper battery monitor then it will need it's own space somewhere.

My problem with all the prefab panels is the fuse/CB ratings. Always too many high Amp. Which is why I made my own. Looks better and cost less.
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They are very nice - but are made by Blue Sea, a US company from Washington State. Don't know where they are actually made but are widely available from a number of dealers in the UK. Expensive - the fully made up panels are 3 times the price of the Axon one I bought. The cheap small free standing ones are essentially the same as you can get from a whole range of Chinese suppliers.
 
Tranona said:
They are very nice - but are made by Blue Sea, a US company from Washington State. Don't know where they are actually made but are widely available from a number of dealers in the UK. Expensive - the fully made up panels are 3 times the price of the Axon one I bought. The cheap small free standing ones are essentially the same as you can get from a whole range of Chinese suppliers.
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But at least the link works! I get an account suspended screen when I click on the link you provided! 🤷‍♂️
 
I suspect they have gone out of business. I had some difficulty with their site when I was buying my panels, although they were phone on the phone and email. They had a huge range and I suspect they had difficulty making money at the prices they were charging. Very happy with mine though.
 
well my electrical wiring looks fine. The original panels are a mess. So I’m fitting a good quality new panel as I like to walk on to my boat and have a switch for everything.
don’t want to have wires direct to panel so was thinking of wago connectors. Also quite like the grey trunking used but can’t find it anywhere. Anyone know what’s it’s called. Keeps everything in order.
steveeasy
 
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