J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment DC Electrical Panel Replacement

The best auto bilge pump power source is a fused line directly from one battery. It cannot drain both batteries, but will operate when you are not on the boat and the main bettry switch is off. Been paid to fix boats for 40 years.

So OK ... it appears that most of the J/30s came equipped with a variety of 12 fuse DC panels ... but the order of functions varies.

But if we are going to try to standardize on some sort of order ...
consider Lights Left ... everything else right

1. Running Lts | | | | 7. VHF
2. Steaming Lts | | | 8. Nav inst
3. Spreader Lts | | | 9. GPS
4. open | | | | | | 10. open
5. Head Lts | | | | | 11. open
6. Cabin Lts | | | | | 12. Auto Helm

I like running lts top left as that is what we send people down to do in fog, rain, and dark ... top left is nice.
and Steaming Lts have to be right after them as part of a combo.

I like VHF top right.

what you guys think?

Agree with Vic's logic

Vic,
From what I saw, Paneltronics has a nice set of easily changeable set of labels. So I am not sure I would add the labeling as part of the standardization... Just a thought.

I have a three way switch that toggle between LED masthead sailing lights and deck + steaming light when running the engine - which will not fit the breakers as I understand them.

Even though I do not see myself replacing yet my panel, I appreciate the efforts to get to a better model. I definitely support the following requirements:
- positive-on LED switch/breakers indication.
- backlight indication of label.
- easily customizable label.
- 12 breakers sounds right to me - although I like my three way switches for lights :-) I would loved also to replace my current three way bilge switch with one integrated and backlighted... but that probably refers to the possibility to used both breaker and fuse in the panel... I did not see this yet offered and not sure how convenient it is.
- Allow for breaker size to accept a couple of gauge 12 wire in the same socket (i/e for nice feeding of autopilots...)
- standardize the meters...

William,
I did not understand, even after reading the specs - what is the accuracy displayed of the digital ammeter - I would focus on the 100DC Amp - which is probably the only one that makes sense on the J/30... Does the right most digit display amps or 1/10 th of amps?

I noticed that the bluesea ammeter have a sleep mode with very low consumption (<0.15 watt ) ... I have no idea what triggers it. It also only need a circular hole not a rectangular one - which is easier to install... But I agree it is much more expansive than paneltronics one and the ease of installation is not relevant to a discussion about a J/30 standard...

Cheers,

I've done a fair amount of rewiring on Falcon over the years

* installed a Blue Sea AC pannel over 10 years ago which handles two plugs, Hot Water heater and the Battery charger

* two years ago I was having issues with DC pannel and replaced it with a Blue Sea pannel P/n 8068 which comes with two meters and 10 breakers with room to add three more. I'm not worried about the circuit breaker rating as all the electronics are each fused as well All wiring is mostly 14 to 168 gauge. Current pannel cost at Jamestown Supply is $499.00

* I found that the primary harness in the boat was in great shape once you trimmed the ends back about 1-2 inches and would not replace it unless you had a short The major corrosion was at the crimp connectors and if you use the heat shink versions that will not reoccur (in our lifetimes)

* what I would do differently would be to install a single DC/AC pannel and put it on a hinge so that it would fold down
This will probably require some wood working skills to build a frame that can handle the weight of the pannel

* so what do I have for DC circuits running lights, steaming light, deck light, masthead/anchor light, cabin lights, wind instruments, autopilot, GPS, Stereo, Inverter, assessory plug and VHF

I have also replaced the cabin lights with LED's expense but a much smaller drain

@Cap'n Vic - Based on the dimensions provided I would recommend Panel# 5201 which is 6.5" x 11" which is a standard panel punch size and keeps the cost considerably lower than a custom or special punch. The 5201 has 12 Branch breaker positions which can be wired and labeld however you prefer. The labels are conveniently changeable and we have a library of about 3000 to choose from. You also have the option of getting this panel with (Premier) or without (Deluxe) backlighting which is convenient when monitoring current drain. If there is an interest from multiple oweners I could even look into a custom combination panel which would include AC/DC, meters and anything else that might be needed.

@Rhapsody Bill - Based on these dimensions I agree with your initial request ( 5203 ) or my initial suggestion ( 2206 ) both very good options and would fit just right. Within the links provided you are able to customize, add a hinge, select your labels, choose meter type etc.

@Cap'n Vic - The requested layout is doable, also as mentioned previously you can label each position as you'd like and looking through our label library we have the following matches in addition to other options:

RUNNING LIGHTS; P/N: L1627
STEAMING LIGHTS; P/N: L1824
SPREADER LIGHTS; P/N: L13737
OPEN; P/N: L2862
LIGHTS HEAD; P/N: L1169
CABIN LIGHTS; P/N: L393
VHF; P/N: L1981
NAV INST; P/N: L1310
GPS; P/N: L902
OPEN; P/N: L2862
OPEN; P/N: L2862
AUTO HELM; P/N: L214

@Georges - We do have a large library of changeable labels to choose from, if there is no defined label list then not to worry as this will not impact the standardization of the panel itself once decided.

I would like to see this 3-way switch you refer to for your lighting, please let me know if you could send a picture as I beleive we could provide an equivalent solution.

Regarding the meters. The right most digit of the VOLT METER is 1/10th of amps and the right most digit of the AMMETER is whole amp. The accuracy of our meters is ±1 count.

@cstoddard - I'd be interested in putting together an AC/DC panel that includes all requirements in addition to a hinged frame so that it would fold down as mentioned. Note hinge, frame, enclosures and doors are just a few value added options we offer.

If curious you can go to the following link and customize your panel. It is a Link to 5203 which is the colsest match to the BS8068 panel. Assuming you used analog meters for your panel we would be right under the Jamestown pricing you've specified.