Association Forum - Electrical Access

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Electrical Access

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

timpky
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
41 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/04/2003 : 22:32:27

I just purchased a 1978 Catalina 25 SK. Your forum has helped me in many ways. One topic I have not seen, and I can not figure out myself, is how to access the back of the electrical connections. I can see them by sticking my head into the port locker in the cockpit but I can not figure out how to reach them. Previous owners have made several changes and I want to 'clean up' the wiring in this area. Any help ?
Thanks,
Tim

Edited by - on

ddlyle
Captain

Members Avatar

302 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2003 : 22:46:55

I haven't looked on mine, but I wonder if you can unscrew the
electrical panel from the front, and bring it out to the galley?
Does everthing work? (mostly?)
If you climb down into the port locker, tie up the lid with a line to the stern rail. Don't want you to get locked in there.

Cap'n Dave
Sailing The Blues
1986 C25 sr/sk #5413

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2003 : 22:54:56

You have to crawl down in there... or con somebody else into doing it. Explains why lots of folks relocate their electrical panels.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

Marc Demaree
Deckhand

Members Avatar

15 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2003 : 12:36:34

I just did the same thing on our 1979 FK 25. As best as I could figure, you just have to climb in with your flashlight and do whatever you have to do. I'm 6'-2" and 200 lbs and didn't think I'd fit, but was able to make it down without to much trouble.

Just remember to bring a bag with all of the tools you will need to minimize climbing in and out.

Good luck,
Marc
The Last Chance
1979 C25 tr/fk #1481

Edited by - on

jsummerfield
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2003 : 16:03:33

I am shorter and heavier than Marc. I too climb into the large locker on a 1983 Catalina 25 to do electrical work. The cockpit space and volume is very large. Also, the bulkhead panel is removable between the locker and the quarters below the cockpit. I would save that trick for last.

Keep an insulated jug with some water within reach when working from inside the locker. If you were obese like me, you might want to step on a bucket or something further aft in the locker when climbing back out. It is not graceful for me and may not be lot's better for the smaller sailors. Use a bungee cord to keep the locker door all the way open. Plan this trek to assure that any meters, wire lugs, wire ties, etc. are handy. I store the safety, cleaning and some service gear in this area. Remove much of this stuff while inside and it is not too cozy. Do not stay too long inside if it is hot.

John
Houston

Edited by - on

Bob3589
1st Mate

Members Avatar

31 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2003 : 17:33:37

I just bought a 83 C25 and the PO did some wire splicing/connections that i would like to change and half of the fuses and switches are missing anyway. I removed the screws from the elec panel over the galley but the panel would not pull out far enough because of the wiring for me to see what wire went where. I am going to relocate the elec panel to over the left (i mean port) seat (i have traditional interior). I am thinking about running the wires from the existing elect panel thru a 3/4 inch pvc pipe along the top of stove counter to aft end of port seat where i will put my new elec panel. I would appreciate any comments from the old-timers on whether this is a good idea or not. I don't look forward to getting down in the lazerette to reconnect the wires but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Edited by - on

Earl Landers
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
157 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2003 : 18:11:17

Tim,
You might consider, 1. Remove the shelf above the stove (4 screws), 2. Remove the water pump (handle and spigot are in the way, 3. And then tilt the bulkhead behind the sink forward (6-8 screws). This gives access to both the rear of the fuse panel and the wiring without having to try to fit into the locker. The bulkhead mounted light on my boat had slack to allow the panel to tilt. Similar to this (The bulkhead has been removed in this pict)
<img src="http://home.bak.rr.com/edlgs/DSC00705.JPG" border=0>

Earl Landers
'83 C25 SR/SK
"Gentle Spirit"

Edited by - on

timpky
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
41 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2003 : 21:41:36

Thanks to all for the helpful advice. I'm sure I will benefit many times from your experience.

Tim

Tim Peoples
Sarasota, FL
Catalina 25 SK Hull #875

Edited by - on

steephen
Navigator

Members Avatar

100 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2003 : 19:58:45

Tim:

I just moved my electrical panel to the starboard side, above the long bunk. All the wires can be run behind and below the companionway. I just wanted to be able to reach the switches from the "stairs" in a hurry. I'm adding a couple, for the radio, compass and pump while I'm at it. That I think will leave me with only a few lighting splices to make tight in the old location. In a 110 volt system it would be insanity to have the fusebox located directly over the sink...
Stephen Z. on "Little Wing"

Edited by - on

RoofRoof
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2003 : 13:54:40

I have a 79 SK TR. It is a little awkward to get down in the port locker, but once you're there, it isn't so bad. I've been down in mine many times after the first time went easily.

I bought a bus bar. Solid brass bar about 10 inches long, and about 1 1/2 inches wide that has about 12-16 screws. This is used to combine all grounds. Good idea.

My boat's electrical had been N-rigged a few times by incompetant people, and nothing was marked. I redid almost everything.

Do this project at night with a helper that can hand you tools, and parts that you forget on topside. Nice and cool at night, and if you use a flashlight mounted on your head it all works out nice and easy.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.