Electrical Panel

[tjr818]

Here is a snapshot of the new Supplementary electrical Panel we are adding to Slainte. I am not sure if mixing AC and DC in the same panel is recommended, but the two are actually separated internally and this is what would fit that space we have.

Electrical Panel.jpg (804.02 KiB) Viewed 1129 times

[godspeed]

where will you mount this? can you post some pics when done? whose a/c did you use?

[tjr818]

I am reusing a Bass panel, but I added a new ELCI breaker. If I hadn't had the Bass panel I would have gone with a Blue Seas panel. I like them.
I will be posting a picture why the panel is installed.

[Bob Ohler]

I am planning an electrical panel upgrade project. I would appreciate it if anyone else would please post photos of their panel upgrades. I would love to see both the processes and the completed projects.

Thanks!

[tjr818]

I have finally fished all of the wires (three AC Triplex cables and six DC primary wires) from inside of the Starboard lazarette through the aft bulkhead to the new Electric Panel. Now I am confused by the BlueSeas wiring diagram for the ELCI Here is the link: http://assets.bluesea.com/files/resourc ... I_ELCI.pdf
The first diagram seem to suggest that the Hot wire and the Neutral wire go through the sensing coil and then on to the breakers. The schematic diagram shows the Hot and the neutral going to the breaker first and then through the sensing coil. Which way is correct?

[tjr818]

After a long delay the new panel is finally wired and installed ( with the wires going through the breaker and then the sensing coil ). We will plug her into the shore power tomorrow when I will have a helper on shore. I am very happy with the way it turned out and the bonus binocular rack.
I am amazed at how many boat bucks were sunk into Anhor heat shrink ring terminals

AC Panel.jpg (1.12 MiB) Viewed 881 times

[Jim Walsh]

Very neat. I like it a lot. Planning, execution, and results meshed nicely.

[swhfire21]

Very nice job, Looks like it could be original.

Here's a hint for anyone taking on a wiring project - https://gregsmarinewiresupply.com/Zen/

The wire and terminal's at this website are 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of most marine stores and you do not have to buy in bulk. I found them 1/2 way through my project last winter.

[tjr818]

Thanks Steve,
Those prices are indeed 1/2 off of what I had been paying.
I hope I am through with rewiring. Maybe for my next boat

[godspeed]

imitation is the greatest form of flattery...can i repeat your design for godspeed, an older sister to your 27? what wood specie did you use to fabricate the 'box' really looks consistent with the cape dory style. nice joinery. where did you run your chase for the wiring? and how did you fasten the entire assembly?

[tjr818]

Steve, I used Teak for the panel enclosure. I had some leftover from the days when it was $9.00 a board foot! If I wouldn't of had the Teak I would have used Cypress or Mahogany. I like Cypress because once stained and varnished it looks a lot like teak. Fishing the wires was the hardest part of the installation. I ended up using two fish tapes one down from inside and then another up from inside the Starboard lazarette. Use the most flexible fish tape you can find. It would have been easier with a second person working the other fish tape. Once I got the fish tape through I used the wire puller that looks like Chinese (sorry Roberto) Handcuffs and was able to pull 10 gage flat triplex wire through the 1" diameter holes that I drilled. I had to do this for five different wire runs; the AC Main, then AC distribution, the AC for the Battery Charger, the DC for the power Socket/cigarette lighter, and for the seven wire bundle for the bilge pump switch. So I have five 1"diameter holes through the inside skin of the cabin bulkhead and five 1" diameter holes through the fiberglass bulkhead that separates the cabin and the lazarette.
For attaching the box, I used the same method that you would use to hang heavy cabinets in a house. Wood blocking with a 45 degree cut (see the sketch).

Section Thru AC Panel.jpg (871.97 KiB) Viewed 782 times

The Panel enclosure changes off of the block and then shims under the lower block pull it down good and tight. A couple of wood screws hold it all together and it is easily removed if I ever need to rewire.

[godspeed]

thanks for the cross section. the hard work is always the planning. that makes all the difference. well thought out plan. looks really nice.