Breaker Panel Drop In Replacement for Fuse Panel?

[Lomcevak]

Is there a drop in BREAKER panel that can replace each of these fuse panels?

I am loathe to cut any more holes in the boat that ABSOLUTELY necessary.

Each panel has a hole that is 4 5/8" x 3 7/8".
Each access hole is 3 1/2" x 3 1/4"

I am hoping the panel will have more than just 3 breakers per panel.

Note: that is a 3 position switch for the bilge pump: "Off, Armed, On". I installed it, but would be nice if the replacement panel had that option already on it.

(It would also be nice to look newer and more updated - but not vital.)

[Chinook]

I'm afraid that a breaker panel with more circuits translates pretty directly into a larger size. It may hurt at first, but I suggest you buy a good supply of jig saw blades and start making holes.

[Tomfoolery]

The closest I've seen is the Blue Seas Systems 4-position DC panel, but it's something like $200. Each.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/blue-sea- ... 73_003_524

I used the West Marine 6-position panel with LED indicators, which is a quarter the price, but it's bigger. They also have a 4-position panel that's smaller. The cutout is actually only half the width of the panel, so you may be able to retrofit without cutting (much).

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mari ... P011861556

For bilge pump auto/manual, you could always use two breakers, with one bypassing the float switch. Shutting both off disables the pump, but you'll have circuit protection at potentially twice the current rating of each breaker, so an inline fuse would be wise if the wiring is small. Or just use a heavier run of wire.

[Sumner]

I'm afraid that a breaker panel with more circuits translates pretty directly into a larger size. It may hurt at first, but I suggest you buy a good supply of jig saw blades and start making holes.

yep after the first couple it doesn't hurt anymore. Nothing wrong with it if you are making an improvement to the boat.



If I can use it my tool of choice now is a die grinder with a vacuum cleaner running to suck up the dust. The die grinder doesn't chip the edges of the cut as bad as a jig saw. If you use a jig saw you might get the blades used for cutting holes in counter tops as ...



.... the teeth are reversed (top blade above) and so don't tend to chip the surface you are cutting but chip the back side,

Sumner

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[grady]

I had trouble finding a panel looked better and had enough switches. I ended up making my own switch panel.

[Lomcevak]

I had trouble finding a panel looked better and had enough switches. I ended up making my own switch panel.

Thank you for the replies so far, guys. For some reason I didn't get an email alerting me to any of the replies on this thread.

Grady, can we see your panel, please? I do have a bunch of 1/4" plexiglass here just waiting to be used.

[Tomfoolery]

Grady, can we see your panel, please? I do have a bunch of 1/4" plexiglass here just waiting to be used.

And in that vein, I used a piece of white poly to make a hinged 'door', with the hinges on the bottom, for easy access to the back. I left enough room for a second panel, in case I want one. I borrowed the idea from another boat I had, where the electrical panel was similarly hinged. Made working on it much easier than if I had to pull a panel out and work through a small hole.

DC is on the left, and AC panel is on the right. AC and DC can't share the same space, at least without a physical barrier (according to the NEC - I don't know what the ABYC says about it).


(sister ship, but otherwise looks identical)

[grady]

Here you go. It was made of aluminum and labeled with a P-Touch. Switches came from superbrightleds.com. Breakers came from airplanes.

[RobertB]

As previously discussed, best to use a small amplitude reciprocating saw such as a Fien Multimaster or recent knockoff. These will cut right thru the fiberglass and not cut anything behind. Dust is also minimal and can be reduced further using a vacuum cleaner (the saw even has an attachment).
There are a wide variety of panels available from very inexpensive to high quality. 4 breaker panels are easy to find but I would not hesitate enlarging the hole to mount a panel with the number of breakers you need. I currently use 8 breakers. All four breaker panels are pretty much the same size.
My install
The thread showing how I did it http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... el#p290913

[Russ]

Here you go. It was made of aluminum and labeled with a P-Touch. Switches came from superbrightleds.com. Breakers came from airplanes.

This is the coolest switch panel ever.
Makes me temped to redo mine like that.

[March]

Agreed,
I want those little LED lights. Where did you get them from?

[Russ]

Agreed,
I want those little LED lights. Where did you get them from?

I think he said Superbright LEDs

Not too expensive either $5 ea
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... itch/1201/

Amazon has 'em for a little more. Free shipping with Prime
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... switch+led

[March]

Cool! and the one in the corner that lights up the whole panel?
I could use a couple under the sink, too...