12vdc Project Complete !

[Catpainzmcspice]

I'm excited! A month ago I don't decided to refit my old systems panel. This lead to the rat nest of wires which have accumulated over the past 30 years.

So I spent the month pulling all the old wired, switched and 1970's tech and replacing it with proper, new seaworthy gear.

It took so long because I did it myself.

Here's a picture of the new systems panel and my old panel.

Okay!

Anyone else working on a summer refit of their DC systems?

[jrogers]

Nice job- it's a good feeling to throw out the old! I've got a windlass wiring project in the works. How you liking the weather lately?!
John

[Catpainzmcspice]

It's been a wet spring on the Puget sound. Something lime 43 straight days of no sunshine?

How's that windlass coming along?

[jrogers]

I'm sneaking up on it. I fabricated an aluminum stand that a friend is welding (in his spare time); I scored 50' of 4/0 welding cable on Craigslist last week; and I ordered lugs and heat shrink last night; I hope to start the installation next week, but just getting a wireway from the batteries to the chain locker is going to be a multi-weekend project. Gives me something to think about during the week, though.
What are you working on next?

[James S]

Hats off for biting the bullet and sorting it.

It was such a great feeling when our rewire was complete...the confidence in knowing what you have, and that its rock solid...

[Catpainzmcspice]

Next is the cabin sole. Taking my time with that because I want it to be perfect.

That windlass project sounds like a serious undertaking! Good luck with that.

It feels good knowing that if something goes wrong on the water I don't have to deal with 30 years of electrical jury-rigs to fix it.

[SabreKai]

Its a good feeling to upgrade stuff yourself. I just finished the electrical work on Espina before the new owner took her away.

Heres the before:





and here's the after:




It's not perfect but I think it turned out well. Only problem was the mahogany veneer delaminated form the panel. Not much I could do about it, happened over a period of several weeks worth of rain and humidity. I told the fellow to dismount it in the fall and I'd re do it. I also just noticed that I forgot to install the ground lead from the cigarette lighter plug. Opps.

When I go to do the panel on Sabre Dance I'll be using circuit breakers instead of switches and fuse holders. I had them left over from a project years ago and decided to use them for this. I figure it cost me about $200 in parts, $250 in new tools to do the job and about $75 in wiring.


Sabre

[Catpainzmcspice]

I admire your craftmanship! Nice work on the upgrade. It feels pretty good to know exactly how your system works, right?

[SabreKai]

Thank you. I am relatively pleased with it, and consider the work a great learning tool. I've messed around in electronics for a while, but never actually did a rewire job. But I had pulled the system out just before I sold the boat and it was part of the deal for me to replace it. The biggest pain was the terminal strips. Some allowed use of crimp on terminals, others were the type with the wire clamps. I had to mix n match because the only supplier didn't have sufficient of either type to do the job. ABYC says that clamp strips are ok, but I prefer the crimp ons. Next job I'll do a bit more searching to get the right ones and keep it uniform.

I started out with a complete circuit diagram, which evolved over the job. Now I have to make the final schematic and mail it to the guy. But wonder of wonders, upon final test there was only one glitch. The switches 3, and 4 got crossed between the switch and the terminal strip on the top of the panel. Simple fix, and Lo, everything lit up on command.

Sabre

[Scout It Out]

Nice going, and I have a pretty good idea of the condition your wiring must have been in before you replaced it; I'm not only working on a refit of both my DC system (AC too), but it just happens to be on another Bystedt 30. Glad to know about another example of this classic IOR boat out there, as there surely aren't very many! No "after" pictures yet for this particular project, as I'm just acquiring the necessary bits and pieces - but here's the original panel and the replacement.

[farotherside]

I *just* finished the same project. here's some pics...

Electrical System Complete! « disengage.ca

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Scout It Out.

Good luck on your electrical re-fit.

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by Catpainzmcspice

I'm excited! A month ago I don't decided to refit my old systems panel. This lead to the rat nest of wires which have accumulated over the past 30 years. . . .
Here's a picture of the new systems panel and my old panel. . .

The front side of the panel looks great - but - how about a photo or two of the other side - backside of the panel and the wire space behind the panel?
- - Like SabreKai posted - kudos for his very good looking job routing the wires and wire tying them into proper bundles. That is the mark of a fine craftsman.

That is where your "craftsmanship" will show itself.

[Catpainzmcspice]

Bystedt 30??? You have my full attention! Only 10 were built and I have a serious curiosity about the other 9.

Is your boat still in the Pacific Northwest?

I am really proud of my Bystedt. They were designed by Robert Perry in Ballard. Built in Ballard. And mine, anyway, has always lived in Ballard.

I'd love to hear about your boat. And any stories or info you have about those 10 boats and their history.

And, yeah, the 70s wire-job was cheeseball :0)

[Catpainzmcspice]

Ok! I'd be proud to show-off my rewire! I didn't even think about it. Tomorrow when I return to the boat.