Pannel for mounting electrics

[DuncanHall]

I am upgrading my electrical systems on my vessel to accommodate Lithium batteries and need a larger board to mount the elecrical inverting and charging systems.

Currently my Inverter charger alternator to battery charger and MPPT sit on a sivler covered board that sits in the enging compartment. Its about 40cm by 40 cm.

My new system will replace the alternator to battery charger with up to 2 Victron Orion Tr Smart 12/12-30A DC DC chrgers. Unfortunatly, the current board upon which they are mounted is to small so I need to find a larger version. However I am strugling to find anything like the existing board. Essentially, what is needed is a heat and fire resistant board strong enough to screw the varous electrical componets on to.

I do not think it sensible to use marine ply as its flamable. Can anyone advise?

 

[dankilb]

I wouldn't worry too much about using ply. If the equipment goes on fire - it'll soon reach other flammable material in all but the most fastidiously configured engine compartment.

If you did want something more indestructible, how about pre-formed epoxy glass board ('G10')? Epoxy Glass Fibre Sheet 5mm GRP G10 FR4 Glassfibre 300mm x 200mm Plate | eBay

 

[Tranona]

I expect most of the panelling for your engine room is ply so not sure why the mounting board should be more at risk of catching fire than anything else.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I expect most of the panelling for your engine room is ply so not sure why the mounting board should be more at risk of catching fire than anything else.

I agree.

If something gets hot enough to set fire to a piece of marine ply, something is very wrong.

 

[Refueler]

Pal of mine revamped his panel with a 3D printed surround ... I printed that for him .... and the panel was formed by him of thick heat resistant plastic.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Are the engine rooms of old wooden boats lined with fire proof material ?

Thought not.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Pal of mine revamped his panel with a 3D printed surround ... I printed that for him .... and the panel was formed by him of thick heat resistant plastic.

I like the idea, but if the OP is worried about fire, something that is 3D printed will melt at quite low temperatures ?? You may well have a more sophisticated printer, but both mine print at 200°C, and the filament melts at a significantly lower temperature (around 150°C, I think).

 

[BabaYaga]

I would be a bit concerned about the engine room being too hot for that type of equipment (max 55 deg C, reduced capacity over 40 deg C).

 

[LadyInBed]

Paxolin (SRBP)
What Is Paxolin (SRBP) and its uses

 

[Graham376]

I just laminated black Formica onto 6mm plywood.

 

[Refueler]

I like the idea, but if the OP is worried about fire, something that is 3D printed will melt at quite low temperatures ?? You may well have a more sophisticated printer, but both mine print at 200°C, and the filament melts at a significantly lower temperature (around 150°C, I think).

Depends on the Filament used ....

PLA / PLA+ / LW-PLA ... they melt at 165 .... but PETG ... ABS etc. melt at higher ....

My print temp's range from 215 (PLA's) up to 270 with other ....

TBH - if fire starts .... as another said - does it matter if Ply ... Plastic ... or whatever ??

Anyway - all I provided was the surround ... the panel itself mounts with own screws ... the surround sits as extra ...

 

[Aeolus]

Stainless steel splashback? e.g. Stainless Steel Splashback - 750mm x 600mm x 8mm | Worktop Express

 

[Daverw]

Or add a thin section of cement board, available easily from diy stores

 

[pyrojames]

I used Tufnol. You can get it for its mechanical or electrical properties.