Hunter 30 AC load center question

[tedheade]

Hello fellow sailors,
I am a new owner of a 1978 Hunter 30 by Cherubini. She’s in good condition, but needs some TLC. I have a question regarding the electric panel:

If someone could explain the 115V AC load center to me, especially the lower three switches on the left of the AC load center and the two toggles on the right, that would be fantastic. I understand the purpose of the rest, but these five controls have me slightly stumped. I am attaching a picture. Thank you in advance!
Ted

 

[tedheade]

i should add that i know the red switch turns off all AC power. it’s the two below i am uncertain of. and the top toggle on the right operates a small red light, what does that indicate?

 

[drew-]

Hello Tedheade,
I have a 34 with completely different panel but I recommend that you pull that panel and look for issues before using any of those switches(burnt wires, chafing etc). I am a new owner myself BTW. Factory wires are color coded on mine and it was easy to tell what was what (look for a manual on this web site to see them). Try and see where those toggle switches go and make sure they are fused because they look to be separate from the breakers. I had a few unlabeled switches on mine and it was a real eye opener when I pulled the panel. A few connectors even came off while inspecting (incorrect fork style). If you have a wire cross between A/C and D/C bus bars(not hard to do with the factory setup) you could lose tons of underwater metal or expensive components. Consider moving to ring terminals as well if not equipped. I did the whole thing with a back plane and personally tug tested every connector. 12V is probably a charger but "electric" is suspicious.
Make it right.
Label everything.
Sleep well.
Post pictures.
Good luck.

 

[ggrizzard]

I own a 1979 H30C since new. The panel on your boat has a number of previous owner modifications.
First, it's been moved from it's original location below the quarter berth next
to the 12v master switch (if it's still there) and looked sorta like this:

He changed (?) the original, white, A/C on/off power switch, which had a dual pole set up, to a simple red throw switch down the stack, that does not meet any safety standard, is a mystery. The "red light' usually means the circuit is live (on).

So, The P.O. has partially rewired the boat and added and moved some circuits.
Why there is a black toggle switch labeled "12v" is any body's guess. You will have to trace the wire itself from the switch to whatever it connects to. A guess would be to a 12 volt charger.
But as Drew suggested, don't leave it on until you know for sure.
The same goes for the switch labeled "Electr". Maybe it goes to an old "Eletrasan" head treatment system. Another mystery.

Dinner bell ringing. More later.

 

[ggrizzard]

The two switches at the bottom already mentioned are circuit breakers. If there is a short, they will trip to protect the wiring (not necessarily the appliance/device).
The two toggle switches to the right of them appear to be simple on/off switches that are not protecting anything, as far as one can tell from the pics.
There also appears to be a third bus bar for the 12v ground D/C circuits at the rear of the cabinet. And from experience, it makes sense. I did that as well.
But there is a change in the A/C side as well and it's difficult to determine specifics without being there.
You are going to have to do a new wiring diagram on your entire system and you are going to need to understand why a dual pole master switch for the 115 v circuit is necessary. You should also consider setting up a completely separate 115v D/C panel.

Questions???

 

[jviss]

There also appears to be a third buss bar for the 12v ground D/C circuits at the rear of the cabinet. And from experience, it makes sense. I did that as well.

I think you are confusing the OP's single pic and @drew- 's pics. The OP didn't post any back of the cabinet pics.

 

[ggrizzard]

Oops! All three came up when I enlarged the first one.
Thanks jviss.

tedheade
Please post a pic of your panel, in situ, with the surrounding area visible.
Also, post a pic of the backside as well.
I'll stand by for more responses!