Is My Control Panel Inadequate?

[NOLA_sailing]

Thank you everybody for the input. Based on the input it seems some sort of monitoring should exist and a reliable alarm seems to be the most practical. I'll keep ya'll posted as to what I find behind the panel.


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[NOLA_sailing]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Whatever you have, I'm sure its inadequate.

Wow. I haven't felt this inadequate since high school...😉


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[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by NOLA_sailing

Wow. I haven't felt this inadequate since high school...😉


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Glad to help

[jimbunyard]

I like an oil pressure gauge to keep tabs on the engine (mine's mounted in the cabin, along with the voltmeter) but it's not strictly necessary.


An alarm light or buzzer (or both) is a very good thing though, there's a kit available here, Sierra Warning Kit Oil Pressure/temp - Star Marine Depot, that has a low oil pressure switch, a high temp switch and a buzzer for less than 30.00. Seems a very good buy to me.

A high amp momentary switch for the glow plugs is also a good idea, I prefer a pushbutton over a toggle (less chance of breaking it off), but either will work.



M-490 - Marine Construction Pushbutton Switches Series
35A at 12V, 20A at 24V, 10A at 36V DC. Normally Off, push to On.
Two brass screw terminals.
Mounting stem; brass 5/8" -32 thread, 1 3/8: (34.9mm) long, fits panels up to 1" (25.4mm) thick.
Silver contacts.

or



551841 - 551 Series 20A and 30A Toggle Switches Series

Up: Mom On, Center: Off. Two screw terminals. This universal switch can also be used to control day signaling lamps. Diecast housing. For stem- or bracket-mounting. 15/32" -32 thread mounting stem, with keyway. Brackets: .170" (4.3mm) diameter holes, 1.72" (43.7mm) on centers. Fits panels up to 3/16" (4.8mm) thick. Chrome plated brass handle, 1 1/16" long (27.0mm). Steel screw terminals. Plated steel hexnut. 30A at 6-12V DC, 15A at 24-36V DC.
Silver-plated contacts.

or



Switch, Mom, None/Off/On, Screw

EATON

Item # 21EV18 Mfr. Model # 8005K37N113V52, 3/4 hp , from Grainger.

[Steve W]

The Universal M-18 in my boat has an oil pressure buzzer and light on the panel. A few years ago, the buzzer quit working. I located it mounted to the back of the engine panel. I pulled it off, removed the buzzer cover, cleaned up the contacts and it has worked perfectly since. I suspect you may find one behind your panel. Mine is about 2" square x 1" thick with a metal cover. Might be worth a look to see if you already have one.

[NOLA_sailing]

Originally Posted by jimbunyard

I like an oil pressure gauge to keep tabs on the engine (mine's mounted in the cabin, along with the voltmeter) but it's not strictly necessary.


An alarm light or buzzer (or both) is a very good thing though, there's a kit available here, Sierra Warning Kit Oil Pressure/temp - Star Marine Depot, that has a low oil pressure switch, a high temp switch and a buzzer for less than 30.00. Seems a very good buy to me.

Thank you for the great suggestions!

[NOLA_sailing]

Originally Posted by Steve W

The Universal M-18 in my boat has an oil pressure buzzer and light on the panel. A few years ago, the buzzer quit working. I located it mounted to the back of the engine panel. I pulled it off, removed the buzzer cover, cleaned up the contacts and it has worked perfectly since. I suspect you may find one behind your panel. Mine is about 2" square x 1" thick with a metal cover. Might be worth a look to see if you already have one.

I'm starting to think this might be the case and hope to confirm this weekend.

[sanibel sailor]

I redid mine completely and added a idiot light sender for both temp and oil pressure. Written up in Good Old Boat magazine a year ago.

[rcrunkil]

SEWARD MARINE PROVIDES PANEL REPLACEMENTS FOR CATALINA ENGINES WITH OR WITHOUT GUAGES. EVEN THOSE WITHOUT GUAGES HAVE BOTH TEMPERATURE AND OIL PRESSURE ALARMS PREWIRED. YOU MAY ADD AN OIL PRESSURE GUAGE IN ADDITION THE ALARM CHEAPLY AS INDICATED

[NOLA_sailing]

Originally Posted by sanibel sailor

I redid mine completely and added a idiot light sender for both temp and oil pressure. Written up in Good Old Boat magazine a year ago.

Was it costly to put in a whole new panel? Thanks.

Originally Posted by rcrunkil

SEWARD MARINE PROVIDES PANEL REPLACEMENTS FOR CATALINA ENGINES WITH OR WITHOUT GUAGES. EVEN THOSE WITHOUT GUAGES HAVE BOTH TEMPERATURE AND OIL PRESSURE ALARMS PREWIRED. YOU MAY ADD AN OIL PRESSURE GUAGE IN ADDITION THE ALARM CHEAPLY AS INDICATED

Do you have their contact info? the only seward I could find is a commercial ship cleaner. Thanks.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by NOLA_sailing

As those who have helped before know, I have a wonderful little Universal M3 20b in my Catalina 30. The control panel, however, is different than the captains and admiral panels that most of these engines seem to have.

1) Instead of push to start, the starter is activated by turning the battery key (like a car)

2) Has toggle switches for blower and glow plug (instead of push button)

3) The only gauges on the panel are voltmeter, tachometer, and water temp. Has no oil pressure gauge or alarm (unless alarm is inoperable)

#1 doesn't bother me. #2 concerns me to the extent that it allows the glow plugs to remain energized and potentially ruined if I forget to flip the switch back to "OFF" after starting.

#3 however has begun to make me paranoid about the inability to monitor my oil pressure. In fact, I keep having "daymares" while sitting at work that at some point my oil pump will go out and I'll be completely oblivious until the engine seizes.

My question is whether I should spend the time and money to upgrade the entire panel or is there a simpler way of retrofitting an oil pressure gauge or alarm? Would you advise against the gauge/alarm being close to the engine block to avoid another hole in my cockpit? As always, thank you everyone for your input.

Replace the switch for the glow plug with one you have to hold on or a button switch. Add an oil pressure gauge and enjoy your boat.

[sanibel sailor]

[QUOTE=NOLA_sailing;1703352]Was it costly to put in a whole new panel? Thanks.


QUOTE]

All homemade and low budget, but looks great. My tach was good, but other gauges were bad, about $20 each, lights about $5 a pop, and maybe $15 for the plexi. A few more $ for wire connectors, etc. Should be good for another 35 years. I cleaned up the rat's nest wiring as well.

[sanibel sailor]

off topic, but...

another little slick thing I did was to make the compass light come on with either the tricolor or running lights. On the lower left you can see the hot leads from both going to a pair of diodes leading to the compass light. Saves a breaker spot. Also I have the instrument panel lights come on automatically with the steaming light. If I cannot see the panel, it reminds me to hit the steaming light.

[chiefcoxswain]

Google " Engine watchdog" have one on gearbox and one on engine block.
easy to instal, no engine penatrations, mount inside where they can be seen and heard, about US$120. ea.
No affiliation, just a good product IMHO.