Before, During & After

[Maine Sail]

Before:

During:

After:

Finally almost done....Don't use 110V side, except for outlets & inverter, so I will finish that next winter.

 

[Ross]

Very nice and neat.

 

[Tim R.]

Hah! He had to show the during photo because I was up there last week and threatened to photograph the mess!

Great job MS.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Ygbsm!

 

[catsailor]

Thank you for the during photo. I feel better now.

I hate those push-ons, I've had so many fail. I just published the 6-month salt spray corrosion inhibitor test for Practical Sailor (next month, I think) and they accounted for all of the failures.

My PDQ has a panel much like what you created, with hinged access. So nice when you go to add something or, god forbid, trouble shoot. Everything labeled, everything together, no push-ons.

Very nice job, of course.

 

[Maine Sail]

Thank you for the during photo. I feel better now.

I hate those push-ons, I've had so many fail. I just published the 6-month salt spray corrosion inhibitor test for Practical Sailor (next month, I think) and they accounted for all of the failures.

My PDQ has a panel much like what you created, with hinged access. So nice when you go to add something or, god forbid, trouble shoot. Everything labeled, everything together, no push-ons.

Very nice job, of course.

I too dislike quick connects but do have a few on non critical items than occasionally need to be disconnected but they are of good quality and sealed.

Every terminal otherwise is heat shrink/crimp with ring, no spades. It's a PITA removing the screw completely but I would not do it with spades..

Also brought my per crimp price down on the battery lug crimper..

 

[RonRelyea]

me too

Ygbsm!

+1

 

[pupluv]

I wish my panel looked as good as your "before" picture, much less the elegant "after".

 

[Lee Scott]

Only one general comment on a very nice and neat wiring job!! I was taught that all wiring coming into the panel should have 'drip-loop' in it so that condensation and any other moisture does not flow along the wire all the way to the terminal. As a result, I try to always run my wires down to the bottom of the enclosure, then back up to the terminal rather than making a run straight-to-the-terminal. Is this a necessary precaution, or just overkill?

 

[Ross]

Overkill in a dry location.

 

[jibes138]

Great Point OldJags

MaineSail should immediately rip out all his new wiring and put drip loops in. Water in the panel will short out the whole system, great oservation. Seems like these do it yourself projects should have an inspector you call in to make sure it is done to code, just like building a house.

 

[Maine Sail]

MaineSail should immediately rip out all his new wiring and put drip loops in. Water in the panel will short out the whole system, great oservation. Seems like these do it yourself projects should have an inspector you call in to make sure it is done to code, just like building a house.

Um Dave nearly all those wires originate from the BOTTOM of the panel... Water, last time I checked, does not flow up hill. The few wires that don't originate from below have drip loops/low spots prior to entering the panel area and then the individual wires on the back plane are 180'd under the wire loom to create extra length and a drip loop. Oh and that area has been bone dry for 31 years and was wired to full ABYC standards and beyond in many cases..

 

[Lee Scott]

MaineSail should immediately rip out all his new wiring and put drip loops in. Water in the panel will short out the whole system, great oservation. Seems like these do it yourself projects should have an inspector you call in to make sure it is done to code, just like building a house.

I'm not sure that's really called for, is it? I'm just asking - not looking to start a war! I like drip loops for another reason as well. It gives you another 6-8" of extra wire for those instances where you screw up a crimp connector at one end or the other and need to re-do it. I've done the beautiful wiring jobs, then when I realize I've done something wrong, there is not enough slack in the wire to be able to fix it.

 

[Maine Sail]

I'm not sure that's really called for, is it? I'm just asking - not looking to start a war! I like drip loops for another reason as well. It gives you another 6-8" of extra wire for those instances where you screw up a crimp connector at one end or the other and need to re-do it. I've done the beautiful wiring jobs, then when I realize I've done something wrong, there is not enough slack in the wire to be able to fix it.

Under that wire loom the wires go beyond each termination point turn 180 and come back to it. This gives me plenty of extra wire to make any new terminations that may be needed. The wires going off the left side of the back plane go to the swing out panel and can easily be replaced, individually, if need be.

 

[Lee Scott]

It's obvious that this is not the first panel you've wired. Many of the little 'tricks' get hidden behind the neat loom works and can't be seen by the layman. I used to install fire and burglar alarm systems in a former life, and took great pride in doing work that looked like yours.

 

[Maine Sail]

It's obvious that this is not the first panel you've wired. Many of the little 'tricks' get hidden behind the neat loom works and can't be seen by the layman. I used to install fire and burglar alarm systems in a former life, and took great pride in doing work that looked like yours.

No it's not the first. Having been on, around and working on boats for a good portion of my life you eventually figure out what works and what does not. The current electrical standards miss a lot and also pick up a lot.

I do have a few "violations" of E-11 and have yet to see any boat that fully meets it, new, used or DIY. For example the ABYC advises that batteries be fused within 7" of the battery. One of my banks is 8 3/4". They also advise that the minimum wire size is 16 AWG. My LED compass light is fed 3 feet by 18 AWG because 16 AWG would not fit. 3 feet of 18 AWG duplex will carry considerably more current than my .009 amp compass light can use so I am not to worried as the standard was written well before many of us were utilizing LED's it is also fused with a .5 amp fuse.

I suspect Jibes was being a tad sarcastic with hos post as he knows how I do things.

P.S. ABYC E-11 does not contain any references to drip loops but they are a great idea.

 

[jibes138]

You are correct sir, just busting you a bit. The inspector idea was just to generate more income for the state because like most states they are broke and looking to the feds for bailout money. I have seen house after house that was inspected and immediately start to have structural problems, plumbing problems, leaks, etc. These inspectors seem to be a bunch of rubber stamper shovel leaners, in general, I'm sure there are a few good ones around. Great job MaineSail...let me know when you are ready to do some volunteer work to help a creeky old man rewire his boat.

 

[jimmcgee]

VERY nice work. Cue the applause

 

[jimmcgee]

Just curious, how long did the job take start to finish? That is a LOT of work.

Jim

 

[Maine Sail]

Just curious, how long did the job take start to finish? That is a LOT of work.

Jim

Probably about 300+ hours. Nearly the entire interior had to come out, things re-worked, panel built, back plane built, battery compartment re-designed etc. etc.. I started in late November.

Of course I also pulled out the engine, replaced the fuel tank, added a fuel polishing system, replaced & re-plumbed the water heater, replaced the VHF, added a RAM mic, R&R'd the manifold & exhaust elbow, changed the antifreeze, changed tranny fluid, re-bedded the chain plates, replaced the PSS bellows, replaced an incorrect vane type shower sump pump with the proper diaphragham type, re-finished some interior cabinetry, replaced standing rigging on & on & on.. Long winter but the fuel tank is what really put me behind, that and my real job and three year old.. For a while I was heading to the yard at 9:30 p.m. and coming home around 1-2 a.m. just to fit it all into the day..

A full re-wire is not a weekend project..

P.S. Just discovered yesterday that my less than 1 year old Nicro solar vent is dead... Gotta love boats...