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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Electrical Distribution Panels

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Bortiquai
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/04/2008 : 10:25:05

When I got my 1980 Catalina 25, the electrical distribution panel was located on the wooden panel above/behind the kitchen sink. This wooden panel was severely damaged, and needs to be replaced. The distribution panel isn't in much better shape, and I'm also going to replace that.

What do people recommend for a distribution panel? I think i would like to have 6-10 breakers, and that would allow for future upgrades and gadgets. The prices on some of these seem pretty high, others are more reasonable. What are other people using?

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2008 : 10:58:39

http://ca.binnacle.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=61&products_id=5206

I'm talking freshwater...

I like this auto style fused circuits and grounding panel. You would then have to wire it to a switch panel.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2008 : 11:28:39

https://www.alliedelec.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?SKU=7574001&MPN=7500K14&R=7574001&SEARCH=7574001&DESC=7500K14

5 dollar switches.

regards.ray

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2008 : 11:33:15

https://www.alliedelec.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?SKU=7575007&MPN=1500R11E&R=7575007&SEARCH=7575007&DESC=1500R11E

4 dollar lighted switches.

Better...

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2008 : 11:50:46

https://www.alliedelec.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?SKU=7600230&MPN=1131/26&R=7600230&SEARCH=7600230&DESC=1131/26

switch boots ... Hmmmm.....

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3478 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2008 : 12:03:43

My original and still operating switch panel is below the steps which is an extremely poor location for guests or myself to access. I desired a switch panel under the sink area so I could switch on the nav lights from the cockpit area while single-handed sailing. I finally settled on a BP 8 breaker switch panel. It is made in Austrailia but can be purchased online thru Boaters World or maybe some other sources. It is pricey but it is just what I wanted. I then migrated many of the circuits from my original switch panel to the new one. I still have some circuits on the old switch panel. I also added some new circuits onto the new switch panel - most notably for 2 fans I installed.

Edited by - OLarryR on 08/04/2008 12:05:17

Mike Rauh
Deckhand

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11 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2008 : 18:54:09

Check the Catalina Direct website. They have an 8-switch unit (circuit-breaker style switches) with a master switch and the Catalina logo.
The price is about $165.00

The replacement panel looks like it will fit in same size opening as the original.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 08:00:01

That is a pretty good price for a original panel...

that's cool..

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 08:42:07

I have a couple of Blue Sea switch/fuse panels that use automotive blade fuses and have tiny LEDs to illuminate the labels--white:off, red:on. A guy who distributes this stuff warned me away from circuit breakers in the marine environment, saying fuses are precise and foolproof; breakers are imprecise and, due to just a little corrosion, might not break when needed. (My boat's builder uses the fused panels.) Plus, you can easily choose your fuse size for the circuit--it should be as small as reasonable.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/05/2008 08:43:10

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 09:48:21

Yepper.. I thought that panel looked like a really good setup. I bought one for another boat but I have yet to install it. As you indicated the fuses look good for many reasons. I like the way they essentially clean the contacts when you pull/push them in/out. The fuses are everywhere now given they are used for cars.

It is good to hear someone thinks they are good for a marine environment, I kinda suspected that but had no experience with them on boats.

Edited by - on

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 17:09:38

This is the one from Catalina Direct:
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=618

I had the same problem but the PO had already bought the panel. I replaced the old plywood piece with a scrap of 1/2" corian from my local countertop dealer. About the same price as a piece of star board. Be careful of one thing if you replace the plywood. Behind the plywood at the top is a piece of the cockpit fiberglass molding. You have to be careful when you layout your holes so that your panel ends up below this. Might also want to take into account the length of the various wires that need to connect to the breaker panel.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2008 : 07:57:50

I really like that Blue Sea setup. I should order one. All I need to do is get the carpet ripped out of my new house so I can put the wood floor in, whip down to the boat and finish the dock, then do the electrical work for my auto tiller, put the vinyl "Bamboo" lettering on my hull and secure the solar charge controller ....... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited by - on

farrison
Navigator

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USA
166 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2008 : 10:27:41

My original panel was trashed, broken switches & fuse holders, and corroded wiring. Also, the PO had added an auto tiller, stereo, VHF and fresh water pump, so I needed more switch locations than the original panel had. I bought two, 5 lighted switch panels from WM for about $36 each three years ago. I mounted them side by side in the stock location, behind the sink, with the Master switch mounted next to them. This provided hours of fun climbing in and out of the lazerette wiring things up. These give me switches for everything plus a spare, although you will have to change one of the switches for the bilge pump from the two position kind to the three position kind for the OFF/MANUAL/AUTO feature.

Paul

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2008 : 11:09:22

Down south here... it is so hot (95 without a breeze today in Atlanta), that all we can do right now is repair/plan from the house. So when you hear me talkin about doing something on the boat right now... it is just talk. I'm going out to run/bike this evening and I am looking forward to the cold beverage at the end.

Enjoy the weather up north and forgive us when we talk about going out this winter.

It is a good time to get the materials together and lay out a plan for electrical.

I did anchor out and clean the bottom! Great time of year for swimming.

Edited by - on

Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2008 : 13:08:48

Ray is SO not pulling your leg about working on the boat in the Texas heat. Two days ago I was adding some acorn nuts to the through-bolts for jib sheet tracks I added inboard on the cabin top. That's 12 nuts and it took me more than half an hour to spin them on because I was sweating so much they would slip out of my fingers.

I rebuilt my distribution panel earlier in the summer, before it got so hot. I was having trouble before, I would have to jiggle some of the switches to get the power to come on. I bought the best switches and fuse holders I could find, so I wouldn't have to do the job again too soon. I guess I spent about $80 on it.

Edited by - on

Bortiquai
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2008 : 11:13:59

Dave, I've been looking at the Blue Sea panels. They seem like they are the nicest... but man they are expensive. Which model(s) do you have?

Thanks

EDIT: I just took a look at some of these. The prices are much more what I would call reasonable. So where is the price difference? A 5 position "Distribution Panel" is $350, and a 6 Position "Fuse Panel" is $110. The only difference is the distribution panel has the Volt/Ammeter included. Am I missing something else?

Edited by - Bortiquai on 08/07/2008 11:35:03

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2008 : 13:35:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bortiquai
 Dave, I've been looking at the Blue Sea panels. They seem like they are the nicest... but man they are expensive. Which model(s) do you have?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Looking at the catalogs, I'd say I have two 6-position Weatherdeck fuse panels--nothing fancy, but really nice at night. (One is outside at the helm.) $89 each at Defender, $20 more at the Evil Empire.

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