Wiring Question

[Robert Lemasters]

I hope to have some sailing photos to post this September of my Commander #105, Njord. It's been much too hot and humid here in Portsmouth Virginia to work or sail, with very little or no wind, like boot camp in the summer where the only breeze you got was when another company marched by you. However, I was able to start replacing the electrical panel, wiring and the navigation lights, Perko sent me the port and starboard LED light relacements. I will be adding a battery selector switch and a solar charger, what I need is some advice on wiring this all altogether, I have thought about a simple two wire system with switches, inline fuses for each individual DC electrical demand and no panel at all that would also include an converter (also inverter) for dockside AC to DC, anyone with ideas?

[CapnK]

Hi Robert -

I have this book and love it - it makes electricamikal things simple for those of us who don't have a clue. I think you'll find it a good resource. Written by the same fellow who wrote "This Old Boat".

Sailboat Electrics Simplified by Don Casey

[Robert Lemasters]

Thanks very much for the passdown, I will get the book. I would rather go with the true and tried then my own inventions most of the time. When I have time to work on the boat its better to be prepared and have a plan. Yesterday I had some time but the heat index here was 117 F and it was real uncomfortable tracing some wires below I can tell you. Where I dock my boat the dockside electrical is being replaced and we don't have electrical power or water. I am looking at small electrical generators as I write this. Thanks

[CapnK]

Re: small generators -

Both Honda and Yamaha make some really neat little four-stroke (no mixing!) 1K gensets. They are super quiet (<60 dB at 10" away), efficient (.6/gal tank w/3.8hrs runtime at full throttle, 8 hrs @ a reduced load - and a load-sensing throttle that automatically adjusts), not too expensive ( I've seen prices from $550 - 700US on the 'net), small, and they use an inverter so that the AC electricity which they output is supposed to be a real smooth sine wave (good for 'lectronics). Both of the models have "1000" in the name, though I don't recall the exact model names, you should be able to find them via a Google search. I think they sound like just about the ultimate if you want a small genset on a small boat. You can also rig them in series, if you have more than 1, in order to increase the output - rig 5 of them for a 5KW generator, for example.

I know what you mean about working below in those kinds of temps - Sweat City!

[Sprite]

There is another book by Nigel Calder but it costs something
like $49.00. I am in the process of rewiring a hornet's nest
to clean it up.


John

[Robert Lemasters]

Thanks guys, I just finished replacing the electrical panel, some wiring (found the missing green ground wire), running lights and interior lights without a book. I ordered Sailboat Electrics Simplified, it just came in, a little too late but will come in handy I am sure. I have Perko LED running lights and they are real good though Perko had to replace the originals because of a water and chrome problem. The LED interior lights I bought at an auto parts store they were very inexpensive compared to the ones sold as marine and just as good and so many differant kinds. I may even put in an amber LED or two in the cockpit for night light, they are very cheap, use very little power and some are even weather proof and corrosion proof.

[commanderpete]

What kind of panel did you get? I bought this one

http://www.paneltronics.com/paneldet...=9960002B&PT=4

A bit expensive, but its supposedly waterproof. Has 6 switches instead of 5. Mostly I bought it because it was about the same size as the old panel, leaving room for a DC meter in the box.

Still doing electrical work, wires hanging all over the place

[Bill]

August 15, 2005 edition of Practical Sailor has a lead article on distribution panels. They cover BEP, Blue Sea, Newmar and West Marine. No Panel Tronics models, however.

PS liked the Blue Sea panels.

You can read the mag at most West Marine stores.

[commanderpete]

Blue Sea is the industry standard I think. They've got a new line of panels

http://www.bluesea.com/product.asp?P...1=7460&l2=7997

I bought my panel 2 years ago. Just about ready for installation, along with the new cabin lights I bought 3 years ago.

Can't rush these things

[Robert Lemasters]

Commanderpete here is a photo of the new panel, I used a piece of epay wood I had laying around for the box. Good ol' West Marine.

[Bill]

Can't rush these things

Perfectly understandable. I have a duplicate of the Pearson original panel to install -- it's only been about eight years . . .

[Sprite]

I have my original panel it's in good shape but the wires are
nuts. I like the panel above nice job!!! Especially with the
plastic casing around the wires. Here's a question where is
the ground supposed to be mine I think the previous owner
did it to a bronze rudder. I was wondering what the original
was.

John

[commanderpete]

There were originally three wires running from the negative buss. Two went to the middle chainplates on each side. The third went to the starboard thru-hull.

I'm not sure you need them on an outboard model. I ripped them out, afraid that stray voltage might corrode those important pieces of bronze.

I wonder what those electrical books say?

[Jeff]

Not a reply about the electrical panels but nothing quite like sitting in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay in the middle of August. Grew up sailing in the Yorktown/Hampton area. Also just finished 12 years in the Army - good analogy.

[Sprite]

mine go out on the negative bus but I think to the rudder it is bronze.
The other through hulls were taken off except one which was for the
sink and I am replacing it with a forspar one out of marelon which I have
already bought.

John