Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by seajbee on 09/06/08 - 5:43 PM

I'm going to be rewirng my whaler next week. I want to use a breaker panel with 6 to 8 switches to run all my electronics, running lights, etc. Anyone have any suggestions on which panels I should consider using, or not consider? I'm on a budget, would like to keep it under $200. Thanks

Posted by kamie on 09/06/08 - 6:33 PM

Wow, I guess you have a lot more things installed than I do [GPS;VHF;FF;Stereo;Lights;Fuel Flow;2 bilge pumps]? Most of electronics I have are 1A, 2A, 6A. As for spares it's not that tough, clip them onto the cover of the fuse panel, that's why those extra clips are there. Or you can store them in the water proof box where you keep your flares. If your blowing that many fuses, something is really wrong with your electronics/wiring and I would find out what. I rewired my boat and I have had exactly 2 fuses blow, one when the bilge pump froze and died and one for the VHF.

Posted by John Fyke on 09/06/08 - 7:31 PM

seabob4 wrote:
Kamie,
Calm down! You have a great boat, and you know your shit. I'm just a "breaker" guy. Find the source of the problem, fix it, push the reset button, on your way.

Seems these days, everyone's a little sensitive.

Nice language.

Posted by Meridian on 09/06/08 - 7:34 PM

If you check my personal page you can see the 6 switch panel. They have push button breakers to the left of the switch. I'll check and post where I got it. It was about $50

Posted by kamie on 09/07/08 - 6:51 AM

Bob,
I am calm. personally cheap and breakers in the same sentence just doesn't play out. But then maybe that's why I call an electrician to fix the wires in my house. I also don't buy the argument that it's hard to store spare fuses, when most fuse panels allow for some sort of storage. If your blowing that many fuses or the breakers are tripping that much, you got other wiring issues and the fuse/breaker discussion is pretty moot. If you prefer breakers, great, if seajbee wants to go with breakers, so be it. I do stand by bestboatwire.com, great folks prices are good and they ship fast.

Posted by CES on 09/07/08 - 6:52 AM

protek9543 wrote:
Thought you were more mature than you are that's all.

Uh ohhhh.

[IMG]http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/ceshaw/2437_silly_couple.gif[/IMG]

You guys grow up before I have to put you both over my knee!!

Posted by ioptfm on 09/07/08 - 1:31 PM

#12

Kamie, regardless of which route you take make sure you label, color code, or number every wire and connection before you take it apart and then reconnect. Will save you a lot of headaches and #@*%# later! :D

Posted by kamie on 09/07/08 - 2:43 PM

#13

Tom,
I believe you were directing that at seajbee. My wiring projects are done with the exception of adding an additional set of speakers to the stereo. I did that today while the boat is on dry land

Posted by seajbee on 09/07/08 - 9:47 PM

#15

Tom, I'll be completely rewiring the boat, doing away with ALL the old wires and switches. I ordered a OEM control box kit with ignition and kill switches from Suzuki. Also the complete harness for installation, tach and voltmeter with harnesses. I'll be installing a switch panel with breakers, hoping to find one with a "common hot" side so I only need one hot wire from the battery. Otherwise, I'll just make short jumpers to take it from post to post. I'll also install a ground bus with a common "out" to the battery. In theory, I'll only need to pull two wires from the battery, (hot to panel, ground from bus) simplifying the entire project. I'll pair, solder, label and shrinkwrap my wires going to electronics and lights. This is my first project in the resotration process. I'm really looking forward to getting it started!
This is one great site!!

Thanks for everyone's advice,
Chris

Posted by Blue_Northern on 09/08/08 - 2:26 PM

#17

I highly recommend a product called Liquid Tape. I used this stuff to seal up some connectors on my trailer and have not had a rust out problem since. I always use the heat shrink glue filled connectors but where the connectors screw down this stuff is great. I am planing to cover every terminal connection under the dash when I finish the outrage. When you need to unscrew a connection the stuff is not hard to cut off.

PS - I have never ordered from this vendor I buy mine at the local hardware store.

Edited by Blue_Northern on 09/08/08 - 2:27 PM

Posted by CES on 09/09/08 - 12:17 PM

#19

protek9543 wrote:
Hope you got your wiring done in spite of seaboob.

[IMG]http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/ceshaw/10_7_3.gif[/IMG]

That's it, you two are grounded!