Circuit Breaker Switch Panels

[thazir]

We're really struggling to identify good value breaker switch panels... it seems they are either really costly like Blue Sea or really cheap like Force 4, wondering if you had any suggestion on brands / retailers that would be worth a look?

 

[rogerthebodger]

I made my own by sketching out what I needed and then taking it to an custom engraver and getting then to make what I sketched

https://flic.kr/p/Wonv5s

 

[thazir]

I made my own by sketching out what I needed and then taking it to an custom engraver and getting then to make what I sketched

https://flic.kr/p/Wonv5s

that looks great, how did it work out cost wise?

 

[noelex]

As Roger has indicated, the DIN rail circuit breakers are a good option. They are very easily replaceable (important if you are using CB’s as a DC switch) and available in any country from numerous manufacturers (so the manufacturer can go bust and an identical sized breaker is still available ). The DIN rail MCB are very well constructed, but not expensive, as they are sold in high volumes. They are true magnetic/thermal breakers (as are most of the Blue Seas breakers) rather than the less expensive thermal only units sometimes used in the cheap marine panels.

You can mount them without a custom engraved panel if you don’t mind a slightly "industrial" look.

Below is my main circuit board:

 

[noelex]

Here is another example from a different boat, to give you some installation ideas.

 

[rogerthebodger]

that looks great, how did it work out cost wise?

No idea and I don't wish to know how much building my boat costs anyway

 

[geem]

Here is another example from a different boat, to give you some installation ideas.
View attachment 184921

I am in the process of doing that. I have 16 breakers, DIN rail mounted to replace my Merlin Gerin breakers that predate DIN rail. It's a bit of a project. A bit like chopping your head off and replacing it with somebody elses

 

[Minerva]

As roger has indicated the DIN rail circuit breakers are a good option. They are very easily replaceable (important if you are using CB’s as a DC switch) and available in any country from numerous manufacturers (so the manufacturer can go bust and an identical sized breaker is still available ). The DIN rail MCB are very well constructed, but not expensive as they sold in high volumes. They are true magnetic/thermal breakers (as are most of the Blue Seas breakers) rather than the less expensive thermal only units sometimes used in the cheap marine panels.

You can mount them without a custom engraved panel if you don’t mind a slightly "industrial" look.

Below is my main circuit board:
View attachment 184920

That is very neat indeed!

 

[bedouin]

What have you got against the cheap ones? A 12V circuit breaker is a commodity item that can be picked up for a few pence from someone like RS and the rest is just a cut out panel and a few letters.

I got my panel from Axon but I am not sure they are still in business

 

[noelex]

That is very neat indeed!

Thanks.

 

[Tranona]

Yes, there is a gap which comes about because of the steady declining market for such things as there are effectively no volume builders in the UK to provide volume, no amateur boat builders and boats built in the last 30 years or so mostly have good switch panels unlike boats built in the 30 years prior to that. There are a couple of custom builders, but inevitably they end up as, or more expensive than Blue Sea. The exception until a couple of years ago was Axon, but they are no longer in business, presumably because of lack of volume. The photo shows the panel setup they put together for me. Just grateful I got it just before they closed down. It is not that difficult to make one , getting the panel machined and engraved by a signmaker and using standard components such as Carling circuit breakers.

 

[Stemar]

An alternative if MCBs don't fit in your switch panel is to use a blade fuse circuit breaker

You can get blade fuse boxes with LEDs that tell you which fuse has blown, and they're a good idea when the saloon lights go out

 

[Trident]

ASAP Supplies have some good value panels that they get made - switches with the normal pop out circuit breaker

Not as nice to look at as BlueSea but not expensive and using high quality UK made circuit breakers , they certainly do the job

 

[PaulRainbow]

I design my own and have them made by a sign company. I generally use ETA or Carling switches and breakers.

These are just breakers:




These are switches and breakers:




Battery isolators etc: