New Cockpit Control panel

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,390
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Finished the install of my new control panel. Built by @LeslieTroyer with his magic CNC Router.

We rewired the 1974 engine connections. Installed a new Alternator and Balmar Regulator. Then programmed the new Tach to give a more accurate accounting of my RPMs. Can now see the gauges. Also no more “what were out of fuel” issues as the fuel gauge has been moved up to the cockpit panel. A real improvement for the boat.

6A1DD47D-C41B-4878-BF3D-79EA2093D085.jpeg
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,085
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Toggle switches and lights and gauges...oh, my! :)

Very, very nice.

What?!? No boat name engraved into the panel? How can you remember?

Have fun with learning how much fun your new fuel gauge can be in misleading you. Oh, wait, you have more fuel than the QE2 !!! :)
 
Oct 19, 2017
7,996
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
Toggle switches and lights and gauges...
How very "old school" of you John. No touch screen, voice controlled, plasma screen. You will be able to always see it no matter how sunny it gets. Cool :waycool:.

-Will (Dragonfly)
 
May 20, 2016
3,015
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
It’s amazing the size of wires they used on this boat. All sensor wires 12 ga. Starter solenoid and kill 10 ga.

The gauges look low and top bare, mocked up the gauges higher and you couldn’t see them.

Fancy tach engine hours, clock, high rpm alarms, but needed pulsed input, not 0-? V output by small generator connected to old manual tach on motor. Alternator AC signal to the rescue.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,390
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
My panel is on the side of the cockpit beneath the seats.

If you want to have it up near the wheel you need to have a box, like a "NavPod" attached to posts "binnacle guard" so the gauges and the plotter is in the air above or near the wheel. Then you can attach a table and drink holders to the "binnacle Guard".
Are you meaning something like this?
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