Catalina 27 Electrical Panel

A

arlouper

.
Jun 29, 2013
24
Catalina C22 Lake Travis
I'm re-wiring my 1983 catalina 27 and would like to relocate the electrical control center. That would be the main battery switch, circuit switches/breakers, bilge pump switch, and associated buss bars. I would like something hinged so I can get into the fuses and wires as I gradually swap out the existing wiring more easily. I'd also like to get it a little higher, although that's not as important as the hinged opening system.

The question is: where are some alternate locations people have used? I've considered 1) the former alcohol range location (but might but a range back there someday) 2) in the bookshelf type area behind your head on the port bunk 3) where there is currently a sliding cabinet in the galley. All have pros and cons and I'm wondering what other people have come up with.

thanks.
 
Joe

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,175
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
arlouper said:
I'm re-wiring my 1983 catalina 27 and would like to relocate the electrical control center. That would be the main battery switch, circuit switches/breakers, bilge pump switch, and associated buss bars. I would like something hinged so I can get into the fuses and wires as I gradually swap out the existing wiring more easily. I'd also like to get it a little higher, although that's not as important as the hinged opening system.

The question is: where are some alternate locations people have used? I've considered 1) the former alcohol range location (but might but a range back there someday) 2) in the bookshelf type area behind your head on the port bunk 3) where there is currently a sliding cabinet in the galley. All have pros and cons and I'm wondering what other people have come up with.

thanks.
Click to expand
My plan to re work the wiring panel (if I ever get around to it). is to install a hinged cabinet on the starboard side bulkhead above the pilot berth. There's plenty of room for a three panel layout. Also my choice would be to keep the battery switch(s) and the hardwired smart charger near the battery box. On my dinette layout, the switchs and charger are hidden inside a built-in cabinet on the wall beneath the aft settee which houses the battery boxes in an adjacent storage area. I think the cabinet could have been factory installed. But it's perfect and I won't change it.
 
A

arlouper

.
Jun 29, 2013
24
Catalina C22 Lake Travis
Joe said:
My plan to re work the wiring panel (if I ever get around to it). is to install a hinged cabinet on the starboard side bulkhead above the pilot berth. There's plenty of room for a three panel layout. Also my choice would be to keep the battery switch(s) and the hardwired smart charger near the battery box. On my dinette layout, the switchs and charger are hidden inside a built-in cabinet on the wall beneath the aft settee which houses the battery boxes in an adjacent storage area. I think the cabinet could have been factory installed. But it's perfect and I won't change it.
Click to expand
interesting. We've got a compass mounted there but I like that location. Would you just through bolt the cabinet to the bulkhead?
 
Joe

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,175
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
arlouper said:
interesting. We've got a compass mounted there but I like that location. Would you just through bolt the cabinet to the bulkhead?
Click to expand
No, I'd use forstner bits to counter sink a hardwood frame with the appropriat wood screws directly to the bulkhead, which is 3/4 inch marine ply. The panels and bus bar set in the swing out section, actually a swing down might work better, bottom is wider to compensate for bulkhead angle. I too had an old bulkhead compass there, along with two other instruments that I no longer use. When removed there are three serious holes in need or filling and resurfacing. I did run across a DIY article in an old Sail Mag that gave a detailed fix. something that shouldn't be a hard search on youtube.
Each panel will be about 5' wide and 8" tall... so the box will be about 16x10.. All the chandleries sell the hardare with dimensions. There will usually offer the high end versions, with features you many not need for inside mount on a sailboat. The lesser panels will save significantly and certainy do the job. It has for well over 30 years on my boat.
 
RoyS

RoyS

.
Jun 3, 2012
1,742
Hunter 33 Steamboat Wharf, Hull, MA
Suggest that you use a few terminal strips in the old location for all wires size 10GA or smaller to extend these to your new location. Larger wires should probably be replaced and run unbroken to your new location. Remember to fuse battery wires at the battery(s) before extending those. Shorts in those wires will likely start a fire if they are not fused. Original factory boat wiring is usually a disgrace and seldom up to standards. Use only quality marine wiring and crimp terminals. Good luck.
 
A

arlouper

.
Jun 29, 2013
24
Catalina C22 Lake Travis
Joe said:
No, I'd use forstner bits to counter sink a hardwood frame with the appropriat wood screws directly to the bulkhead, which is 3/4 inch marine ply. The panels and bus bar set in the swing out section, actually a swing down might work better, bottom is wider to compensate for bulkhead angle. I too had an old bulkhead compass there, along with two other instruments that I no longer use. When removed there are three serious holes in need or filling and resurfacing. I did run across a DIY article in an old Sail Mag that gave a detailed fix. something that shouldn't be a hard search on youtube.
Each panel will be about 5' wide and 8" tall... so the box will be about 16x10.. All the chandleries sell the hardare with dimensions. There will usually offer the high end versions, with features you many not need for inside mount on a sailboat. The lesser panels will save significantly and certainy do the job. It has for well over 30 years on my boat.
Click to expand
Thanks for the suggested location. I've decided this is the right placement for me. I'll be able to fit all my controls with 200% breaker switch capacity over what I think I need. Its out of the way, its high up, its not a significantly longer run to the batteries than the original location. I've already got the cabinet built now I just have to install.

BTW, by 200% I am not talking about volts or amps (although I'm not worried about that either) I mean I can install 12 breaker switches even though I only need 6.
 
Joe

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,175
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
arlouper said:
Thanks for the suggested location. I've decided this is the right placement for me. I'll be able to fit all my controls with 200% breaker switch capacity over what I think I need. Its out of the way, its high up, its not a significantly longer run to the batteries than the original location. I've already got the cabinet built now I just have to install.

BTW, by 200% I am not talking about volts or amps (although I'm not worried about that either) I mean I can install 12 breaker switches even though I only need 6.
Click to expand
Actually, there's plenty of room for 3 panels side by side. The standard dimensions for the DC indoor panels are about 4.5" x 6.5" approx. So with a 16x8 case you can give your boat plenty of room for expansion.... for instance adding a USB power panel, a bayonet plug for your spotlight, gauges for battery monitoring to mention a few. Good luck... it's gonna be a fun project.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,890
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Very nicely done.
 
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