Electrical panel - looking for inspiration

dur

dur

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 May 2003
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420
Location
Chichester
www.gaff-rig.co.uk
I am needing to sort out and tidy up some wiring and I think a new cupboard / box / panel whatever it is called will be required for fuses and switches etc. The existing one has tree wood sides and plywood front and is simply too small. The ply front doesn't look great and is a bit thick (1/4" maybe) for the toggle switches which are mounted on it. So I am looking for ideas on what to use or make for the job. Need to be easy to open for acces to wiring etc. Sorry to be vague - I guess I am interested in how others have tackled switch / fuse panels on trad boats.
 
Electronics Box - my solution

I currently have the same task in a boat where the designated navigation/electronics space is very tight. My solution will probably not suit, but here it is anyway –
I’ve made a dovetailed box (570x200x200) from solid mahogany, to match the interior, which will sit above the side of the small nav table. I don’t think there’s a better solution for the front and rebated in back than ply as it maintains it’s strength and shape even when thin. I’ve used two layers of 5mm marine ply offcuts left over from covering the deck (I’ve used the same for the nav table so it all matches). The cut-outs in the front have been fairly carefully planned so that I can get the switch/fuse panel, battery meter, 12v socket with fuse & switch, car type music radio and VHF/DSC radio with mic hanging room all into a small space. The Fuse, switch & 12v socket are all counterbored from the back so that they tighten up correctly.
Access to the inside is by three doors/flaps. The centre door is hinged at the bottom with a strong ball catch at the top and holds the other doors, hinged at the sides, closed.
The busbar etc. can all be screwed onto the 10mm thick back and there’ll be space for a small container for spare fuses etc. inside. The engine switch & monitoring panel will be sited elsewhere – probably in the cockpit.
The box will sit snugly between two bulkheads and I’m thinking of putting fiddles on the top, front and back, for the odd CD, memory stick etc.
Les
 
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Thanks very much Les. That is the sort of inspiration I had in mind. I couldn't possibly match your joinery (never done a dovetail joint etc.) but maybe could use a simpler joint. The ply doesn't look bad - I guess it is a case of finding a bit with a close colour match to the real wood. I like the doors - all makes good sense. It would be great to see how it turns out.
 
My old panel (a relic of a previous owner's refit apart from the fused distribution panel which replaced something very old and electrically unsafe) looked like this:
oldpanel.jpg

and I could have sworn I had a picture of the new one which is simply a piece of perspex with a nice hardwood frame around it, with the fuse panel, engine panel, TinyTach and various other switches mounted in it in a similar - not identical - arrangement . Looks loads better and the most time consuming part of the job was the hardwood frame. I'll post a picture when I remember to take one.
 
Wow

Wow, Les that is a beautiful piece of carpentry, it puts mine to shame :-)
(Won't post a photo just yet...at least not until I've varnished it and it's in situ to hide my dodgy joins!! )
 
Hope the attachment works .here is my attempt. Pine wood sides aluminim face pre-drilled and then covered with Fablon as were all sides, Time will tell, exposed to sea air,but not the weather.

Cut at an angle hinges fitted and 2 cabinet closers rebated inside (Think thats the name for it,spring loaded balls)
 
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This option 'may' be a little more expensive but will look fantastic for many years.

But first, may I suggest you do away with as many fuses as possible and replace them with circuit breakers, finding and fitting fuses in the dark with you and panel rolling around in a heavy sea at night can be a bit of a challenge.

Do a drawing of the layout you like or base it on one of the many available by searching the web.
Once you have a plan get a price from a sign-writer
to make up the face panel in one of the many very professional looking etched or engraved panels.
You can include the boats name (stylised) all functions engraved or etched, switch holes and odd shaped openings pre cut, even side covers to hide your possible lack of carpentry prowess; all this and in almost any colour or texture you desire.

They look great, are easy to clean and can be hinged at the base to give full access with an interior light fitted.

Good luck...:)
 
Thanks for all the ideas. I still haven't done anything yet - unusually the early summer has brought some sailing weather!

Les has shown that ply can look good for the front but I also like the perspex or etched panel ideas (not that I am ususally that up-market). My next mission is to find some reasonable tree wood for the sides which won't look out of place with the existing slightly hotch-potch collection of wood we have down below. I'll keep you posted!
 
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