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fitvit
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Apr 2016 : 21:06:00
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As I'm refurbing the walls I'm starting to look at the electrics. The sowester switch board is inside the boat just slightly below the other switch board which is on the outer side of the wall next to the steering wheel. I can't find a master switch but there is a battery with two crocodile clips hanging losely nearby. When I connect the croc clips to the battery then the switch panels light up and internal lights work so i figure this is a 'make do' master switch!!?? Does anyone know what the black circle thing is above right of the the switch board. I've found a couple of them on the boat. Are they super old and need replacing?
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2016 : 22:41:39
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The round black thing is a junction box... used to connect wires together..... not an ideal solution on a boat... they are intended for domestic electrical work.
A lot of your wires appear to be solid, single conductor. Again, great for your house, but not suitable for a boat.
Get yourself a copy of the "12 volt handbook" - you may be able to download it... then read it... it will answer many questions and give you the information and skills to sort out your boat.
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2016 : 10:58:08
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Sorry m'dear, other things going on.
I'd keep the two panels, change out the switches to new ones, and either polish it or glue Rexine (leather-cloth) over it - black looks good. Panels are expensive. The Souwester one with the fuses just clean up and re-use is what I'd do. What you don't want is that old junction box nor a new replacement either, you can create a neutral bus-bar in chockblock strips screwed to the bulkhead inside a cabinet that can house all your electrical bits. Clip and flexi-duct any cables under floors to protect them - B.S.S will look at that. Keep wires away from gas pipes too.
If you think you'll want shore power one day you'll need to wire for that too, but keep that separate.
Download the BS.S guide here:- http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/media/180428/bss%20guide%202005%20complete%20web.pdf
A free download is here: http://www.mojaladja.com/upload/Boatowner's_Illustrated_Electrical_Handbook.pdf
You probably want to file it not print it as it is 288 pages.
Also there is this one, the 12 volt doctor's handbook at 122 pages and lots of thumbnail pencil sketches: http://www.kb-kbh.dk/shipslib/el_ombord/12volthandbook.pdf
Both being American mean you'll need to source UK equivalent kit but where possible stay away from boatyard chandlerys because much of what you want can be bought off e-bay or a caravan shop or an electrical Wholesale store.
I advise you to purchase decent side-cutters, wire-stripper pliers, and a ratchet crimper (not the cheap thing - ask at a wholesale shop for a ratchet type that makes multiple crimps) that copes with red, blue and yellow crimp connectors. You will almost certainly need crimped spade connectors, probably in blue, some blue joiners, and probably some larger yellow ones.
See here for images, very top right is a suitable ratchet crimper pictured over a totally unsuitable non-ratchet one:- https://www.google.co.th/search?q=crimp+type+electrical+connectors&biw=1366&bih=657&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjVjvW49ZfMAhVLv5QKHfDHCJ8QsAQIIA
One note, on a boat in tidal waters the more expensive tinned copper wire is preferred as it doesn't corrode and cause problems, this is unnecessary for occasional visits by an inland waterways boat.
Finally living the dream!
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Edited by - cliveshep on 18 Apr 2016 11:09:39 |
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Electrics aaarrrrgghhhh!
