Engine Control Panel in Cockpit

[MJB]

I have finally bitten the bullet and am replacing the ancient Volvo in my Countess 33. The engine control panel is currently located at the nav table and I'm looking into the feasibility of relocating this in the cockpit... now here's the question... Does anyone know where I can obtain a suitable "module" that could be inset into the cockpit sides/coaming/bridge deck to take the panel, please? The panel is approx 180 by 140 mm. Cheers in advance. Mike

 

[cindersailor]

I went through this when I fitted a new engine a few years ago. I ended up mounting the panel in the cockpit forward bulkhead and built an open-fronted teak box around it with a hinge-down perspex lid with some foam rubber seals. Although not entirely waterproof, it provides sufficient protection and the panel has been fine for the last 3 years with no further protection. I would however say that the boat is on a swinging mooring so receives very little rain into the forward part of the cockpit.

 

[ShaunG]

I asked the same question a couple of months ago and no one knew where to but one.

So.....

I made a mould from a baking tray, then used this as a mould for my inset panel, it took about 3 hours to complete in total, cost about £20 and i now have a perfectly fitted GRP inset box. you are welcome to mu mould but i think it is a bit small.

if you want to know more then let me know

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

have a look at the Vetus website P80+ It may throw up ideas.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/fd2b8fee#/fd2b8fee/80

The MP10B12 bottom of page 83 looks as if it may be a simple solution(?) and would give you new rather than reusing old or could it be that you could parallel up the system to have both???

Best of luck
S.

 

[doug748]

I picked the smallest, simple panel and put it in a cockpit cave locker (you know the sort of thing most boats have for bit and bobs). The panel has just warning lights and a key so is pretty robust, it rarely gets anything more than very light spray anyway.
The main problem is that you need a certain clearance (and access) at the rear of the locker and you may wish to site more instruments below decks. I just fitted a Tiny -Tach direct to the engine.

 

[MrCramp]

I have finally bitten the bullet and am replacing the ancient Volvo in my Countess 33. ... Does anyone know where I can obtain a suitable "module" that could be inset into the cockpit sides/coaming/bridge deck to take the panel, please? The panel is approx 180 by 140 mm. Cheers in advance. Mike

I would try Maplins, they have various plastic boxes. look here

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1691

If that is no good here are more

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=Plastic box&source=15

I would use a box at the back and then make up a perspex cover at the front. You can get decent quality plastic boxes from supermarkets that are meant for food.

 

[contessaman]

I went through this when I fitted a new engine a few years ago. I ended up mounting the panel in the cockpit forward bulkhead and built an open-fronted teak box around it with a hinge-down perspex lid with some foam rubber seals. Although not entirely waterproof, it provides sufficient protection and the panel has been fine for the last 3 years with no further protection. I would however say that the boat is on a swinging mooring so receives very little rain into the forward part of the cockpit.

I did much the same. My panel was originally inside under the bridgedeck. Mounted there, I didnt see the temperature guage rise when my motor blew a core plug. the first thing I knew the engine note changed, I throttled back and it stopped dead and seized solid. (thankfully it recovered later)

the panel is now on the outside of the bridgdeck facing the helmsman, see attached photo:
I built a new panel out of black acrylic and added a tacho and fuel guage too. The box is teak and the cover clear perspex. My mother in law sewed me up and elastiacted cover to keep the elements off when not in use but thats more for stopping the sun from crazing the clear perspex really. Try not to drip teak oil everywhere like I did though... at least it was over the winter when the cockpit was filthy with algae and slime anyway.

 

[MJB]

Many Thanks for all your ideas... food for thought! Cheers

 

[john_morris_uk]

Another idea is simply to mould your own from your own plug or blank. Mock up what you want in mdf and bits of ply. Fill and fair and polish, and then make a mould, and you can then mould a GRP recessed engine control mount exactly the size and shape that you wanted in the first place.

It sounds tedious, but its a very simple process that doesn't take too long for a simple small object like this.