Re-Wiring my boat

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OK so there's nothing at all wrong with my boat electrics, however some fuses are a bit all-over-the-shop, i'd like to simplify things and have everything 'central'. OK that's not a proper excuse... i'll be honest, i'm forever trying to perfect things, and i'm not 100% sure of the exact layout of this boat since I didn't design/impliment the electrics on this boat

I'm fairly competent, the oul man is a sparky etc. etc. so no problem there

So i'm guessing the first step is a live and negative feed (Just have to source this in the boat)

So then, have a live and negative 'bus-bar' and feed from that? I presume in this day and age trip-switches would be a better option. I'm guessing 12v trip switches are easily available? (This is what i'll have to go into detail about with the oul man)

Now, I want to have my switch panel outside around the steering console (I should have a space available handy enough)

It's just the usual stuff, Nav lights, Stereo, Bilge Pump, Extractor fan etc...

The only heavy usage item is the fridge which has a direct connection with an inline fuse (After the battery isolator switch of course)

So my question is, any recommendations for trip switches and mounts? And finally, any good sources for switch panels? The requirement for the switch panel is I want a simple ON/OFF rocker switch (or similar) with a light/LED indicating when it's on, and advantage if I Can label the switch. Must be splash proof as i'll be doing a bit of spring cleaning with a drop of water

The boat is a Lema Gold, I don't know the exact size panel I need until I measure it, see below for a picture.

See on the right, in between the throttle stick, to the left is the current switches, to the right is a silver light display indicating status of the switches. I'll probably blank off the current switchpanel and put the new panel over the 'status panel'

So the needs are:
Cabin Lighting
Nav Lights
Anchor Light (Maybe an ON/OFF/ON for this?)
Stereo
Bilge
Extractor
Sink/Shower pump
Deck Lighting
Radar Arch lighting
VHF
GPS
Fishfinder
2 x spare

Inspire me!

 

[gimmesunshine]

i think youd be much better of putting the panel in the cabin, will last a lot longer not taking the brunt of salt spray etc

 

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i think youd be much better of putting the panel in the cabin, will last a lot longer not taking the brunt of salt spray etc

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Forgot to mention im on Fresh Water

A panel on the inside did cross my mind, but beside the driving position is much more practical as it's where I spend a lot of the time. Maybe I should be looking at switchpanels for RIBs etc.

The thing is I want a 'nice' looking splashproof panel, not a military/commercial looking yoke

 

[alan006]

You might get something suitable on the www.aquafax.co.uk site. They have a good selection of switchpanels and other goodies to help do a nice wiring job.
Good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[alt]

Cheers Alan,
It's just something i'm considering doing over the summer. TBH I reckon i'll be busy enough with work etc. it's just something I could do if I get bored

 

[PCUK]

Index Marine Equipment are the electrical supplie specialists.

 

[Petrolia]

Maybe I'm just a boring old kiljoy but I think you should leave well alone.

What will you gain versus the hassle of doing it and the possibility of making things worse ?

I know what you mean about not being completely happy with things but sometimes it's best to just deal with it.

A while ago I decided to move some switches on my dashboard to make them more ergonomic. When I removed the dash I can tell you there were far more wires behind there than I had imagined !

I successfully moved them and everything works but as I say it wasn't as straight forward as I had imagined.

Anyway that's my peneth worth.
Good luck if you go ahead.