Electrical panel covers?

[Concordia...41]

I don't know what to call it, but I would like to have a new face plate made for the front of the breaker panel.

This:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pbd3e0bf7be4235611909001bc6d2db4f/e7d437ec.jpg

Seems like it would be a pretty easy thing to whip out if one was in the business. I just don't know where to start looking.

Thanks!

- Margo & Sarah

[pipefitter]

Switch panel or breaker panel or breaker/switch panel. It's called what it is. We've made them from faux carbon fiber lexan,painted or anodized aluminum,black lexan,smoked lexan,you name it. Some places even carry the blanks like what you have there. You might call the place where you located your bronze parts and they might be able to lead you to the exact part or the vendor they use.

Google "Marine electrical panels"

Another alternative would be to get the old panel powder coated and buy the decals for the functions.
http://bluesea.com/category/8/34/productline/225

If someone else can't help you or if you can't find what you need,I will ask Brian where I work. He knows where to get all that stuff being that's his specialty.

[erster]

First class work is done by this outfit.

Scott Cambra
Vector Imaging
153 Barnes Street
Falls River Mass. 02723
Scott.cam@verizon.net

You will not believe all the other stuff he does, also, complete switch panels, hightech lighting including running lights

[Concordia...41]

I just followed pipefitter's advice, which led me to Paneltronics in Miami.

The prices are such that I just might get used to what I have :eek::eek: (rewired of course...)

Crikey!

Edited to add - I like Scott's website. The lights are very interesting & I'll give them a call.

http://www.herculights.com/what_are_herc.php

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

If the panel is still good, you can reuse it... replacing whatever you need to... then make a nice wooden hinged cover, to hide it all

[pipefitter]

Typically,if you have to replace switches and such the parts sometimes add up to more than the unit as a whole. Again,if nothing else pans out for you, Brian would know where the deals are.I don't know how old that panel is or what the back of it looks like. I know in most cases on boats that are younger than yours,electrical woes seem to follow a domino effect being as once you disturb one thing,the rest follows suit. Rewiring is definitely a good idea and I suppose you are faced with it being you have just restored your boat. I know the electronics/rigging guy at our shop hates adding new electrics to old wiring and I'll be damned if his worries aren't usually right on target with his predictions.

If you are to rewire it yourself,check the actions of all the switches and check for continuity.Switches will sometimes go bad just from sitting once corrosion has been allowed to grow on the contacts.

[Concordia...41]

I have (or have access to) all new breakers, etc. All wiring is being replaced from the panel backward.

On the panel front, the meter and battery condition switch are good and will be reused.

There's a nice wood box that this lives in, Ed just separated the two so I could refinish the box & that inspired me to think I wanted to get a new face made so I can redo the switch labels.

Also, it is set up a little different than I would - i.e. separate breakers for knot, wind, and depth.

If I got a new face made, I could remove the ones that I won't use - like "Loran" and "Lectrasan" and replace with "Chart Plotter" and "Refrigeration". It would certainly look neater, but at $500 I guess I need to get used to label maker tape. :(

The red label says "Warp Drive" and that's a keeper - even if get a new panel made :D

[pipefitter]

There you go then. Sounds like a plan. I didn't know if you were going to have to hire a electronics guy to do it. They get anywhere from 60.00/hr on up plus parts depending where you live. Here it is more like 90/hr for a shop rate that does that work.
Warp drive. . . That's a good one. :)

[willmarsh3]

I got stick-on labels at Fawcett Boat Supplies in Annapolis. IIRC 4 labels cost about $2.50. They have quite an assortment including such things as "Depth/Speed".
I bet you are excited about the upcoming launch!

[Ron Joslin]

Margo, I know you dont like West Marine but in the 2006 catalog on page 533 they have pre made panel labels (30 assorted DC labels) for $ 10.99 and (120 assorted DC labels) for $ 46.99 and (120 assorted AC lables) for $ 41.99. Hard to say, but from the photo they look to me like they are worth checking out. They are "Blue Sea Systems Labels"

[Concordia...41]

It's not that I don't like West, it's just that the stickers seem cheesy (all things considered and all the other work that's been done). The panel fits in a beautiful mahogany case and has a prominent spot by the companionway.

One of the links led me to a company that did custom aluminum panels and they even had software that you download and put the switches in the order you want.

But I'm searching for the plastic ones. I don't know what you call it, it's layered so when it's cut the white inside shows/makes the lettering.

We're set to install the engine Saturday and I've gotten sidetracked with minor details like the propshaft and coupling... :rolleyes:

[willmarsh3]

But I'm searching for the plastic ones. I don't know what you call it, it's layered so when it's cut the white inside shows/makes the lettering.



I know exactly what you are talking about. The ones from Fawcett are thinner and have the white letters printed on black plastic. I'm thinking there might be a local trophy shop that could do some up to whatever size you want using the layered plastic.

[kc8pql]

I'm thinking there might be a local trophy shop that could do some up to whatever size you want using the layered plastic.

Yes, check trophy shops. I had a bunch of white lettering in black plastic labels made for some exploded assembly displays I made for a client a few years ago. The local trophy shop engraved them for about a buck apiece.

[Andrew]

What about buffing/polishing the old one?

[Bark]

What about buffing/polishing the old one?


That sounds like a great idea (assuming it's metal, not plastic). I considered using brass plate to make a custom panel, but in the interest of time decided to get a a store-bought Blue Sea. It's fine, but a little modern ...

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL483/8634233/16009429/277911664.jpg

[JimJ]

I used a sheet of 3mm laminex for the board.

I drew the layout for the positions of the radios, switches, fuses and text in a graphics program and saved it as a PDF file. I then had it printed in red text on white adhesive-backed vinyl.

The three large cutouts are for radios.

I am sure you could do silver text on black vinyl

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p8b123d2156d4b2ab33ac0712c8e14dc2/e7c51d1d.jpg
JimJ

[Concordia...41]

Now that is what I'm talking about!

Thanks for taking the time to post the picture.

I'm still going to check with a local sign / trophy company as I bet if I gave them the dimensions they could cut the switch names into layered plastic.

One of these two options will work that's for sure.

Thanks again!

- Margo & Sarah :)

[bvv]

Second the trophy shop, or sign maker idea. I had one made by a sign maker 17 years ago for my boat that and they used black plastic with a white layer laminated in the middle. When the letters are engraved, they show up white. I don't remember whether I drilled the holes or they did.

Here's one I found on the Web: http://www.myengravedsign.com/

Or,

http://www.plastic-tags.com/engrave.php
"Plastics used for engraved plastic tags or signs are a multi layered laminate whose composition is based on the various types of engraved plastic tag end products desired. Modern engraveable plastics replace and are superior to the phenolics and lamicoids of the past. The various plastics available are; laminated ABS, acrylic cap ABS core and laminated impact acrylic. Some have a micro-surfaced face for delicate, less durable products. Other materials have a harder, thicker face layer. Some are even textured"

[JimJ]

Margo

I looked at the getting the the switch panel made of white panelling and having the lettering engraved with a laser. You could get any face colour with various test. They could even cut the holes for the switches and fuses. All this could be done from a .PDF file that I supplied.

However, the cost was > $100.00 for the laser verses $15.00 for the printing on vinyl. The ability to change the text by reprinting and changing the vinyl if needed said the vinyl was the way to go.


Jim