Engine Electrical Panel

[Joli]

We've gone the route of both above deck in a plexi case and below with a selector switch to pick the live panel. With center and aft cockpits it makes sense to have numbers in both locations. Possibly you could move your panel below and add number in the cockpit from additional senders, maybe temp and oil pressure?

[emeraldsea]

Didn't know why this window to the engine comp. was installed, thought ventilation, but during repowering I realized this must be what it was meant for.

[DWT]

Originally Posted by emeraldsea

Didn't know why this window to the engine comp. was installed, thought ventilation, but during repowering I realized this must be what it was meant for.

Wow! Great idea for keeping your gauges dry.

[SV Someday Came]

Originally Posted by DWT

I have for the last 5 - 6 years replaced all of the gauges on my engine electrical panel, amp, temp, fuel, oil and tack. The panel is mounted in the cockpit on my 30' Morgan and is exposed to the weather and I think this is what keeps screwing up the gauges.

I have been thinking about mounting the gauges just inside, to the right where I could see by just peaking around the main gangway. This way they would be out of the weather and maybe I'd get more than a year or two out of them.

Has anyone else ever done this? If so would you have a picture that you could show.

My gauges were in the cockpit (below) and were a mess, and even though the panel was well sealed, the wiring behind the gauges were more corroded than were other wires on the engine. I suspect that moisture wicked its way in through the gauges. The panel was located about 2 inches above the cockpit sole. One good wave dump and they would have been flooded. It was a stupid place to put gauges.


Initially, the guages sat right below the companionway in the cockpit. What I did was have the whole panel rotated 180 degrees and now they are in side the boat, directly under the companionway overhang. My reasoning was similar to what you are reading here: RPMs you always get a feel for and fuel levels you just become aware of. What was important to me was that (1) the low oil pressure alarm worked and (2) I found out after rotating the panel, that I fretted about the water temp. My plan is to have an alarm installed for the water temp.

Overall, I love the arrangement.

I have enclosed a pic of the old arrangement. Right now, that whole area has been redone with a removable teak plate that now gives me access to the backside of the guages that are now on the inside of the boat... if that makes sense!


Michael

[Cheechako]

I had the small panel mounted on the fore/aft "wall " to the head on one boat, just inside the companionway step. It stayed dry and was easy to read, hear and access.
On another boat, I bought a plastic portlite (like Beckson etc)and mounted the panel on a teak plywood filler mounted inside the portlite. This unit was mounted in the cockpit wall. When not in use you can dog it tight. Watch out for how far your key sticks out though if you want to close it when in use!

[James S]

I put my gauges over the companion way, under the dodger.
Gauges are Siemens VDO.
I haven’t actually gone to sea with them yet, but their seals and general construction looks pretty good to me.
I still need to sort out some decent "water proof" speakers to go on the sides.

[James S]

A better pic.

[Sandero]

My gauges are mounted in recess in the forward starboard side of the coaming above the seats. They had a plastic flip up cover to keep the rain out for 6 years which I took off. Last year I did a velco attachable removeable panel since I never liked the hinged lid. The gauges are VDO, 23 yrs old and work fine with a bit of fogging which goes away when its warm. No problem mon.

[DWT]

Originally Posted by James S

A better pic.

Nice job and good looking too!

[James S]

Thanks…I really enjoy trying to sort this stuff out.

[MidLandOne]

Originally Posted by James S

I put my gauges over the companion way, under the dodger.

I know a number of cruising sail boats (ie for passage making, not for day sailing around the bay or for racing) custom designed and built for very experienced owners where even the sailing instruments and autopilot controller is up under the hard dodger to keep them out of the elements in order to improve their reliability. So nothing at all exposed at the helm in the electronic line; that not posing a problem as little time is spent at the helm.

[blahman]

Our take:

It's covered by 1/8" Lexan. The guages are mounted in 1/2" Seaboard which is held up on the inside by the 1/4x20 screws. The frame is fiberglass covered wood, painted with Brightside Offwhite.

The lizard is Hal.




Cheers!
Aaron N.