[alberg30] main wiring harness

Bob Johns bobjns at nais.com
Thu Feb 17 07:15:29 PST 2000


From: Bob Johns <bobjns at nais.com>


>Also, how about replacing the instrument panel with  a wood panel? My
>panel in the cockpit is made of metal, of some sort, and  certainly
>doesn't seal water tight, nor look well. It looks like its been beat to
>hell. Options for replacing this?   Thanks in advance:   Joe #499 "One
>Less Traveled"

Joe,

I did a complete rewiring job on Wind Call #397 five years ago. The cockpit
instrument panel was replaced with a lexan panel. I spray painted the new
panel on the backside with a flat black paint. The result is a painted
panel that looks glossy (in spite of using the flat paint) but since the
paint is inside it doesn't get scratched and it is protected from the
weather. Much better than wood IMHO.

I got rid of the old mechanical instruments and went electrical on
everything. I added an expanded scale voltmeter and fuel gauge. I retained
the separate starter switch even though the new ignition switch has a
starter circuit (turn the key past the ignition 'on' position to crank the
engine). The reason I didn't use the starter circuit in the  ignition
circuit is that I have heard of cases where the key switch stuck in the
'start' position and the starter did not disengage with the result that the
starter burned out.

The panel  has a large tachometer in the middle of the panel and is
surrounded by the Temperature, oil pressure, fuel gauges and expanded scale
voltmeter. The fit was tight with the instruments just about touching each
other, and I had  to trim the fiberglass where the panel mounts just a
little.

The running  light switch on Wind Call has two 'on' positions. The first
position turns on the just the running lights but not the steaming light or
the instrument panel lights. The second position turns on all of them. I
assume that your switch is connected the same way, but if not, I would
suggest that you wire the new one this way.

I rewired the whole boat, added a 100 amp alternator, new main electrical
panel and an ampere-hour meter, which can read voltage to 0.01 volts and
current to 0.1 amperes. The lighting wiring carries separate returns for
each lamp. ((Nothing dims when you turn on extra lights!)

If I can give  you any more information, let me know.

Regards,
	Bob Johns, Wind Call #397



--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------

Get what you deserve with NextCard Visa. Rates as low as 2.9 percent 
Intro or 9.9 percent Fixed APR, online balance transfers, Rewards 
Points, no hidden fees, and much more. Get NextCard today and get the 
credit you deserve. Apply now. Get your NextCard Visa at
<a href=" http://clickme.onelist.com/ad/NextcardCreative1SR ">Click Here</a>

------------------------------------------------------------------------


 950800529.0


More information about the Public-List mailing list