CD28 Electric Panel Replacement

[Paul S]

I would greatly appreciate any information about replacing the electric panel in our 1979 CD28. The current panel (6.75" X 13.5") has six toggle switches and circuit breakers, a two-battery voltmeter, and the battery switch. So far, there doesn't seem to be any ready-made panel that will fit the existing space. The switches are all corroded and one has already fallen apart. Thanks for any help you can provide. Link to panel photo: https://picasaweb.google.com/1183385120 ... ober262011

[Bob Ohler]

Blue Sea Systems may have a stock panel that will work, or, using their 360 Series of semi custom panels, you may be able to find a panel that suits your needs. You would probably need a 3 x 1 panel in the 360 Series.

Custom panels are fun to think about but they tend to be expensive! I priced a custom panel for our CD30.

Take pictures and make labels when you start to allow you to get the wires back correctly.

Keep us informed and post pictures of your project.

rbo

[bottomscraper]

If you can't find a stock or semi-custom panel these guys can
make a custom one. We had them make a sub panel for us to
replace the junky Seadog fuse panels that one of the PO's had installed.

We had space limitations and none of the stock panels would
work. They were easy to work with and the price was only a little
bit more than the closest size stock panel we could find.

http://www.wewireboats.com/s.html

This is picture of our custom panel from the "We Wire Boats" web site.



I probably should have had something better that "12 Volts DC..."
put on it but I didn't really think about it much. There are a bunch
of other examples on the web site.

[John Ring]

I'm replacing the panel in my 1979 CD28 this winter. I just ordered a 360 Series panel from Blue Seas, model 1164. Also, I ordered their mini battery switch to make it all fit onto a 6-3/4" by 14-3/4" teak board/plywood I'll mount it on before setting it over the old hole. I'll mount the mini battery switch just below the 1164, and it should all fit nicely into the corner where the old panel lived. The 1164 is an 8 switch panel with breakers, illuminated labels, and an analog meter. It's 4-7/8" wide by 10-3/4" high. They also offer it with digital meter.

Good Luck!
John
CD28 #241
Tantalus

Here's a pic of the Blue Seas part# 1164:


and the 3" by 3" mini switch:

[rorik]

I made a new panel under the bridge deck. I used all Blue Sea items.
Used the heavy duty selector switch, 30 amp AC panel, 8 pole DC panel.
I'll try to get a pic late tonight or tomorrow to post.

EDIT:
Obviously, I'm still reworking the galley area, but here's the panel setup:

[hilbert]

My 1976 CD28 had a basic panel, with 9 toggle switches and 9 panel holders for AGC glass fuses.

I wanted its replacement to be simple, reliable and flexible. I tried to achieve this through the use of toggle switches, accessible blade fuses, adhesive lined heat shrink terminals and oversized wiring.

[Terry]

Fabulous panel, Hilbert.

I, too, like blade fuses. I really like your ultra-neat wiring job. The concept of switches on the front with fuses on the back is pretty much what I'm considering when I redo Cassandra's wiring, which is long overdue.

Regards, Terry

[Bob Ohler]

Hibert, Great Looking panel and it would look great on any Cape Dory!

What material did you use for the black panel on the front side?

Bob O.

[hilbert]

Thanks for the positive feedback.

The black panel is ABS plastic. The material is textured on one side and smooth on the other. It is available in various dimensions on eBay and amazon. I used a 12â€

[Terry]

rorik, I like your panel especially the indicator lights. Did you use LEDs?

All the best, Terry

[Maine Sail]

rorik, I like your panel especially the indicator lights. Did you use LEDs?

All the best, Terry

That panel is stock Blue Sea Systems and the indicator lights are LED... You can buy just the LED indicator lights from Blue Sea... Those panels also offer back lighting for the labels..

[rorik]

rorik, I like your panel especially the indicator lights. Did you use LEDs?

All the best, Terry

Thanks.
Sorry for the late reply.
Exactly what Maine Sail said.
For the back lit labels you just have to connect 2 wires that come already attached on the rear of the panel to pos/neg. The LED's are amber. The label letters a soft green.

[rorik]

rorik, I like your panel especially the indicator lights. Did you use LEDs?

All the best, Terry

Thanks.
Sorry for the late reply.
Exactly what Maine Sail said.
For the back lit labels you just have to connect 2 wires that come already attached on the rear of the panel to pos/neg. The LED's are amber. The label letters a soft green.

[Ron M.]

small led indicator lights are also available from radio shack and other suppliers. When overhauling my original panel I used them on each circuit. I also added 3 additional circuits by drilling the panel to accept the fuse holders. My thought at the time was, it would be nice to replace everything with breakers but costly. There's nothing wrong with fused circuits when properly sized and wired.

[Bob Ohler]

Ron, I have been thinking about this project for at least a couple of years now. I also have a CD30. Your thoughts about adding fused circuits to the existing panel interests me. Would you have any photos of your refurbished panel that you could post, please?

Thanks,

Bob O.