Move the electrical panel

[PSR]

The DC panel on my C27 needs attention. Here's the current situation:

I puzzle over how Catalina (and others) chose to place the panel so low in the boat.

The fiberglass has been defaced with a primitive access port (the screw holes were for hinges for a wood door over the "port"), the cutout for the DC panel is too large so the panel is not securely screwed down, and the bilge pump switch is unfastened under the panel. I could clean all this up by mounting the panel, switch, etc., in a teak plywood panel over the fiberglass, but the electric panel would still be unfortunately low in the boat. A better solution seems to be both to cover the area nicely (maybe putting a drawer or two down there) and to move the panel to a safer location. The best place may be to starboard over the quarter berth. That means extending a lot of wires across the beam of the boat, and it would be best to do as others have by moving the batteries under the port settee--displacing the water tank.

Another possible location might be under the port deck, where the old Heathkit depth sounder used to be, maybe sacrificing some shelf space below.

Has anyone documented moving the panel on any good old boat? I have found a few posts on the subject but not many. Have I missed a thread describing this modification? Any other thoughts on such a move, where to, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes to all!
Peter

 

[ggrizzard]

I'd love to do the same and to hear ideas.
Thanks,
G.

 

[Ward H]

I don't know your boat well enough to suggest a location but will offer this.
Your idea of setting the panels into a teak panel is a good way to go. I did this on my boat this past spring. The cuts required for the Blue Sea DC panel were to intricate for me to do in place so I built the teak panel at home, inset the DC panel and other smaller panels, then took it to the boat. I then cut rectangular opening in the bulkhead for the teak panel containing the smaller panels.
I didn't put the battery switch in the teak panel as the heavier wires would make it much more difficult to open the panel for working on the back side of it.
I used t-nuts on the back side of the bulkhead so removing and reinstalling the panel is easy.
That ugly white light fixture was replaced next.
I did all my cuts with a vibrating multi-tool with saw blade attachment. Much easier than a jig saw.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I think that I wouldn't change the panel location UNLESS I planned on replacing all wiring anyway. That would seem to be a pretty big challenge. The question I have is, how do you intend to "extend" the wiring? Would you make bullet connections or otherwise have a concealed box of ringed connections (or something similar)? I don't think I would want to rely on the integrity of connects, so I would prefer to re-wire to avoid interrupted wires.

If re-wiring, then my all means put the panel where you like.

What's wrong with upgrading the panel in the current location, other than it may be a little less convenient? It actually looks like a pretty good space. I think I would cut out more of the hull liner and build a proper cabinet with a panel cover that can be opened for service. I'd also try to move the master switch to be a little more removed.

 

[PSR]

Wet electrical

What's wrong with upgrading the panel in the current location, other than it may be a little less convenient?

Thanks for the thoughts. The panel is below the galley just inches from the bilge so that it would be quickly inundated if a wave came over the stern & into the cabin. Just the wave would be bad enough, but then the electrical system would be disabled. Any watery disaster would be all the worse if electronics were then disabled.

Come to think of it, though, the likelihood of inundation is small.... I will probably not change the location and make a nice teak overlay so the panel can be mounted better there....

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I kind of figured that you are mostly concerned about water getting at the lower location. I'm not sure why it would be any worse than the batteries or the battery switch (I have the switch and ACR connections at floor level) being temporarily submerged. But I also wonder if there is a way to waterproof a cabinet, at least on the bottom and the sides, bringing the wiring in from the top.

It sounds like a project where the details need to be thought out and planned!

 

[PSR]

Thanks again for the thought Scott. Waterproofing the panel completely will be tricky but partial waterproofing to raise the electrical waterline is an interesting idea.

 

[CloudDiver]

The location you mentioned, under the port deck, is exactly where I moved mine. My boat is much smaller, a C-22, so the space is tighter and I have a much smaller panel... but essentially this is the same idea, if it helps here is a few pics. I used a stainless Piano Hinge and King Starboard with some cabinet door magnets that hold it closed. Obviously I have only installed the master switch, I'll put the panels in later when I re-do all the wiring. I just needed to get the panel sorted so I could finish my interior restoration. Electrical will be last on the list.

 

[PSR]

Is there a reason to keep the large bakelite panel on which the battery switch is mounted if I add a teak panel to this area for mounting everything and covering the ugly hole?

 

[mitiempo]

Is there a reason to keep the large bakelite panel on which the battery switch is mounted if I add a teak panel to this area for mounting everything and covering the ugly hole?

No, there isn't a reason.

 

[caguy]

I agree with the OP I have no idea why they would put the electrical panel in such An Inconvenient spot. Any water that gets down there tends to corrode the contacts. Check out the Catalina 30, they seem to find a perfect place to put it on that model. It's by the starboard ports. I plan on moving mine there.