DC Electrical Panel

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

SVTatia

.
Feb 12, 2011
33
Allied Luders 33 Toronto
I have searched long and hard to find something about DIY panels to no avail.

I wonder if any of you have a source for "blank" electrical panels. I then can get the breakers, meters, etc and mount them.

Many Thanks
 
R

RichB

.
Oct 8, 2006
87
Hunter 23 Winter Park, Fl. h23
You gotta love a "well done" custom panel. I used the white "marine plastic plywood" (can't think of proper name) inset into a wood frame. Switches and meters were taken from my old panels and some I found at SPSA (St.Pete Sailing Assn.) while racing in the 1st. GOB regatta there. A piano Hinge at the bottom allows it to open down to horizontal. West Marine carries some little LED indicator lights (red green white orange) that make it easy to see what's running in the dark. All in all a satisfying project.
 
RAD

RAD

.
Jun 3, 2004
2,330
Catalina 30 Bay Shore, N.Y.
I wanted to do the same thing and call Blue Sea and asked if I could buy a blank panel board to increase my circuit board and they would not sell it that way so I ended up adding a small panel at another location
 
O

Old Skool Neil

.
Jan 22, 2008
880
Fed up w/ personal attacks I'm done with SBO
Depending on how custom you want to go, here are some options:

I made my interior electrical panels out of a material called 'Romark' available at trophy shops. I drew up a black and white face scheme and the trophy shop scanned my original and laser engraved the material. I backed it with aluminum for stiffness, drilled and assembled it.
Chart Table 10-17-09.jpg

​

I made my exterior engine panel out of 'Star Board'. The vinyl labeling was from a sign shop. Again,I drilled and assembled it.
Engine panel blank with lettering.jpg Panel progress 009.jpg​

Then, you might want to contact Minney's Ship Chandlery in Newport Beach, CA http://www.minneysyachtsurplus.com/ Last time I was there (maybe 2 weeks ago) they had a complete salesman's sample case of panels for $49. These panels are fused rather than breakers but man, 49 bucks! Cross country shipping would be a factor.

Panels for Shawn1.jpg Panels for Shawn2.jpg​
 
Last edited:
T

tommays

.
Oct 2, 2006
1,517
Jboat J24 commack
If you really want to do DIY just make a GOOD drawing and find a water-jet shop


Bluesea has so many different ones i cant see how you beat the price building it out of parts
 
R

RichB

.
Oct 8, 2006
87
Hunter 23 Winter Park, Fl. h23
Nice work Neil.
That's a well packed Nav station.
One thing about using star board is that it is cheaper to remodel the panel if you change something. But that is beautiful work. Do you get any AC interference while on shore power?
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

.
Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
I use Blue Seas for many reasons but one of them is that I can't build a custom panel for less money than I can buy a complete unit. Buss bars, LED lights, digital volt meter, digital ammeter, breakers AC/DC sides etc. etc. on and on. Also these panels are a two part LPU painted, 5052 1/8" thick aluminum panel board not a cheap plastic one that can crack by simply over tightening a screw. Ask me about the plastic panel on our 2005 Catalina that was cracked before we even took delivery...:doh:

I have access to a guy who can make me a custom panel but when I price up all the parts to equal the Blue Seas panel I was over by more than double and had a lower quality plastic product.

With some serious Google searching I paid $719.00 for this panel, can't even buy the parts for that..



Here are just SOME of the components that make up this panel:

24 - Circuit Breakers @ 24.99 ea = $599.76
1 - 30A Double Pole @ = $59.99
1 - 7250I DC Main Breaker = $41.99
1- 8248 DC Multi-Meter = $242.94
1 - 8247 AC Volt-Meter = $234.99
24 - Amber LED DC Indicators @ $10.11 = $242.64
7 - 8034 Green AC LED Indicators @ 3.16 = 22.12
1 - 8066 Red AC LED Indicator = $3.16
1 - DC Label Set = $16.63
1 - AC Label Set = $16.63
2 - LED Back Lighting @ $19.94 = $39.88
1 - LED Back Lighting = $20.94

TOTAL FOR SOME PARTS = $1541.67

TOTAL COST COMPLETE = $719.00

There are a LOT more components that make up this panel not included in the above list like all the buss bars on the back, a three way switch, two fuse holders, crimp terminals, wiring, screws etc. etc.. You could very easily be damn near 2k to duplicate this panel by buying the parts.

Pre-made Blue Sea panels are a STEAL!!!
 
O

Old Skool Neil

.
Jan 22, 2008
880
Fed up w/ personal attacks I'm done with SBO
In my case I was severely limited in available space so store bought panels were not an option. Further, I think MaineSail demonstrates that sophistication comes at a price. In making that statement, I don't mean to suggest Blue Sea Systems are not a good value.

My panels aren't as large, my gauges aren't digital and I don't have as many circuits (although I have separate circuits for everything on board), but I don't have $700+ invested either, more like $320 - $350 excluding the cost of the Xantrex sniffer and my labor. That figure includes the custom laser engraving.
 
S

SVTatia

.
Feb 12, 2011
33
Allied Luders 33 Toronto
Thank you all for your input.

Seems like Maine Sail has a good point, Neil also needs a compliment for his work.

Mine is an older boat and it has fuses rather than breakers. I read Don Casey and he is saying that one is not better over another and the advantage of breakers is that they are also a switch.

Can I borrow your opininons on this?

Many Thanks
 
D

Du4salr!

.
Feb 14, 2011
18
Dufour Arpege' 30' Bayfield Wisconsin
There are certainly a lot of talented folks... I appreciate your willingness to do the project yourself but if you find it too much, check out these folks.. they can make it quite simple.

http://www.ezacdc.com

they have plug and go systems that look quite nice.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom