Hard times?

[robp]

There have been a few threads regarding the ability of yacht builders to weather the financial storm. Well, maybe they are making up for lost boat sales in spares!

My Bene 36CC has something like a RCD where 230V 16A is received at the panel. It just has a blue button to arm it and a red to test and flip the power out. Much like one of the 13A adapters you use for power tools etc. It's always been a pain due to its flipping out during any short duration power outage, leaving the boat with no power. The whole thing consists of a small circuit board with an IC, some resistors/caps and a relay. 230V input L&N, 230V output L&N. Doesn't seem to reference to earth - must measure the balance between the two poles.

Anyway, more recently it completely gave up the ghost. Got on to Ancasta to get a price.... £294.23 delivered!!!
I mentioned that I would expect the entire panel, 12V and 230V should cost no more than that. No - the 230V only, panel which holds the RCD and three breaker switches, plus a neon - more than £1,000

Good questions for potential boat buyers at LBS. They do go wrong.....

It's on the bench at the moment and I will be having a word with Legrand. At those prices, someone should be wearing a mask.

 

[Moodyman]

Hi Rob,

Had the same problem on my Moody a few years back. I replaced mine with similar from Crabtree - Starbreaker MCB/RCCB. It was a about 5 years ago now and the cost at that time was just under £70 inc VAT. Got a friend with electrical knowledge to replace. The company is Electrium, Forge Road Willenhall, West Midlands - 01902 638800. Was supplied through City Electrical Factors Ltd - 01243 533225 (Chichester)

Not sure whether this is helpful, but the cost you quote seems a bit OTT.

 

[Sandyman]

OTT ? OTT ? I would say they are a bunch of thieving b******s.
Rob get yourself down to any electrical factors. If they can find an exact match they will find similar to do the job. Even if you have to find a different way of mounting it, its still got to be cheaper than those rip-off prices.

 

[nimbusgb]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tripswitch-RC...ervan_Caravan_Accessories?hash=item2ea957e5ae

This will make your eyes water!

I don't care what anyone says about the original item being specifically intended for x,y or z use, marine environment or any other garbage. For £300 someone could fly over from the European headquarters take a taxi to your boat, fit it, take you out to dinner and pi$$ off home again.

Ridiculous!

 

[robp]

Hi Rob,

Had the same problem on my Moody a few years back. I replaced mine with similar from Crabtree - Starbreaker MCB/RCCB. It was a about 5 years ago now and the cost at that time was just under £70 inc VAT. Got a friend with electrical knowledge to replace. The company is Electrium, Forge Road Willenhall, West Midlands - 01902 638800. Was supplied through City Electrical Factors Ltd - 01243 533225 (Chichester)

Not sure whether this is helpful, but the cost you quote seems a bit OTT.

Hi Barry.
Yes like you and Sandyman say, I'll take it into City or someone and try to get similar. A bit of metalwork coming up!
It's the £1,000 panel with a few breakers in it that amused me! Maybe it did include dinner nimbusgb

 

[stephenh]

If you go to Fleabay and look for what is called a "garage unit" you will have lots of options, some of them waterproof to a degree.

e.g. :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GARAGE-CONSUM...QQptZUK_WSJL_Wholesale_GL?hash=item4a9c59650c

good luck

 

[FullCircle]

Well, if you're not going to use the boat anymore, can I buy your windscreen please?

 

[robp]

Well, if you're not going to use the boat anymore, can I buy your windscreen please?

Never been quite sure about the windscreen! Great for housing a three course lunch in the roughest of seas (well almost) and I've been very pleased to hide under it on occasion. But gets in the way sometimes.