Time to do what I have been meaning to do since around 2007. Based on the recommendations of my surveyor, I have finally come around to moving my battery(ies) from the lazerette area (which houses the fuel tanks) to the settee area in the main cabin. While doing that, I have also decided to build a communications center. Currently there is minimal space for all the gadgets I want while sailing, so why not build something?
Here is a schematic of the power distribution panel which will be co-located with the battery location. Right now there is only the battery and 1/Both/2/Off switch with no protection at all (please don't yell at me). So a rewire is needed/required. All the parts are on order and I should be ready to do the move soon. The disto panel is somewhat like Maine's so if you see a semblance that is why. The only part not ordered yet is the ACR. That will be probably after I get the panel in. Here is a schematic of how I plan on wiring the system.
The outboard has an alternator but I do not believe it has separate wires. I will have to look at that and see if that is the case. I just don't remember any alternator wiring. The outboard is electric start but that wiring will remain and not change.
The battery charger will also move to the new location. Solar panel controller will stay but I will have to install some heavy guage (8 awg maybe) from the controller to the panel.
A communication center is something I have wanted. I always envy the big boat guys for all their comm gear. So I decided I want one too. LOL. The space I have available is not conducive to an orderly layout so I decided to build one. The main panel will contain volt/amp meter with 30 amp breaker, VHF, HF, and GPS. The GPS is connected to the VHF for DSC operation. Right now I plan on running power from the DC panel to the VHF/GPS only and run power to the HF from a second battery. That might change. I may run the whole panel from a second battery with the 30 amp breaker being the "on/off" switch if I may.
Here is a proposed layout of the board. The board is 12x8 and will be on two sides. Top will be open for now while the other open side slides against a bulk head. The whole panel will be attached with 4 x 1/4-20 bolts from below so I can remove the entire panel with all equipment attached. This will make it easy to bring home and work on issues. Everything is sized 1:1, so yes, the HF rig is rather small compared to the VHF and the GPS.
Perspective (poorly done, I know) of the layout. Front and side panels will be 1/8" hardboard and the bottom will be 1/2" board. Again, only three sides (bottom, front, and right side).
And the schematic of the radio distro.
So there it is. Two main project in the making. Both moving forward while I still have the motivation to get it done. Just waiting on the arrival of the parts. I am sure I have missed something but for now I will just continue and cross any bridge I did not see.
This should be fun.
Here is a schematic of the power distribution panel which will be co-located with the battery location. Right now there is only the battery and 1/Both/2/Off switch with no protection at all (please don't yell at me). So a rewire is needed/required. All the parts are on order and I should be ready to do the move soon. The disto panel is somewhat like Maine's so if you see a semblance that is why. The only part not ordered yet is the ACR. That will be probably after I get the panel in. Here is a schematic of how I plan on wiring the system.
The outboard has an alternator but I do not believe it has separate wires. I will have to look at that and see if that is the case. I just don't remember any alternator wiring. The outboard is electric start but that wiring will remain and not change.
The battery charger will also move to the new location. Solar panel controller will stay but I will have to install some heavy guage (8 awg maybe) from the controller to the panel.
A communication center is something I have wanted. I always envy the big boat guys for all their comm gear. So I decided I want one too. LOL. The space I have available is not conducive to an orderly layout so I decided to build one. The main panel will contain volt/amp meter with 30 amp breaker, VHF, HF, and GPS. The GPS is connected to the VHF for DSC operation. Right now I plan on running power from the DC panel to the VHF/GPS only and run power to the HF from a second battery. That might change. I may run the whole panel from a second battery with the 30 amp breaker being the "on/off" switch if I may.
Here is a proposed layout of the board. The board is 12x8 and will be on two sides. Top will be open for now while the other open side slides against a bulk head. The whole panel will be attached with 4 x 1/4-20 bolts from below so I can remove the entire panel with all equipment attached. This will make it easy to bring home and work on issues. Everything is sized 1:1, so yes, the HF rig is rather small compared to the VHF and the GPS.
Perspective (poorly done, I know) of the layout. Front and side panels will be 1/8" hardboard and the bottom will be 1/2" board. Again, only three sides (bottom, front, and right side).
And the schematic of the radio distro.
So there it is. Two main project in the making. Both moving forward while I still have the motivation to get it done. Just waiting on the arrival of the parts. I am sure I have missed something but for now I will just continue and cross any bridge I did not see.
This should be fun.
