Electronic Switch Panel Replacement Circuit Board

[Abrain]

So here is my crazy idea. I'm an electronics engineer by trade and I have electrical issues on my boat and its got me dreaming. My electrical issues are nothing big just speaker wire ran all over and a tired old electrical panel. Same of my switches are going out as a little wiggle is needed to get it to work.

I'm considering designing a circuit board to replace my switch panel, but also to do more. I would like to include a clock, GPS, temperature sensor, carbon monoxide sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, remote control for lights, voltage levels, security sensors and do all this in a small little box. Perhaps Bluetooth so my iPad & iphone could update my website for remote monitoring, mapping, theft etc. apps then could turn on lights, fans etc.

The entire space that my switch panel is mounted on could then be reused for storage etc. Is this a bad idea? Corrosion? I have made circuit boards with gold plating etc. reliability issues? What's your take?

[Navatech]

First off, speaker wire is about the worst wire you could use on a boat. What you should use is proper marine wire. Marine wire is like automotive wire with the main difference being that each strand which makes up the wire is tinned. This creates a wire that's highly corrosion resistant.

Second, I would hesitate creating a system that's not KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). Whatever you do, make sure you can service it on the water. Much if not all I think you want to achieve can be achieved based on a few additions to a standard electrical board.

[Captain Bill]

It's bad enough trying to keep one thing working on a boat, but requiring two active systems to work to simply control one system is asking for trouble. I would be almost terrified if I had an active system that was required to be functional to get the rest of my systems to work. I almost hate having a main breaker on my DC panel. If it fails I'm toast, so there's a spare on board. IMHO.

Bill

[goboatingnow]

Great idea , why not build in electronic circuit breakers using high side mosfet switches with current sensing, you could then connect a 3" panel display as a memonic display , save loads of stupid mechanical breakers.

Have a look at the TI Sensortag Bluetooth low energy SensorTag - TI.com

and guys hes designing it ,he can bring 10 spares if he needs it

Id put it all on ardunio shields and then encase it


note that some sensors will require physical orientation so will have to be packaged seperately

Make it and we can all help !

dave

[sailorboy1]

hey it is your boat, do it if you want

[Abrain]

Goboatingnow

You happen to see the plan.

Today if the rain persist ill be laying out the circuits. This should be fun.

[goboatingnow]

Goboatingnow

You happen to see the plan.

Today if the rain persist ill be laying out the circuits. This should be fun.

Hopefully you can post the circuit schematic for you to drool over!

dave

[colemj]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Hopefully you can post the circuit schematic for you to drool over!

And when you are done drooling over it, the rest of us can take a turn!
Mark

[goboatingnow]

its doesnt help that my fingers are sometimes random autonomous machines!

dave

[Saltyhog]

I'm an electronics engineer as well. All I'll say is that in general, the simpler the system is, the less likely you'll .

[Abrain]

Originally Posted by Saltyhog

I'm an electronics engineer as well. All I'll say is that in general, the simpler the system is, the less likely you'll .

Tell that to NASA.

I promise this is very basic stuff and I'm keeping it simple. Just using a few mosfets and connectors.

[goboatingnow]

E.T.S ( the circuit breaker prople) make very nice solid state CB modules. Plug in base , I made a little panel using them for a previous boat.

Dave