deltaten, The panel is located in the
cockpit, under the
cockpit seat across from the
helm so it can be seen easily. Behind the panel is my
electrical locker, making the
wiring direct and simple. All of the structure is 1/4"
plywood, sealed with West System
epoxy, and the switch panel is from Blue Sea, and has been in place, now, for about ten years, answering the question of how well does
aluminum plate hold up. I used the exterior switches because I wanted to be able to control outside lights without having to go below. The labels are standard labelmaker (Brother) and hold up very well. The labels read:
Panel lights (first switch at the top, left, so I can find it by touch in the dark), a red LED to illuminate the entire panel
Running Lights: double throw, for
Power (lights the
deck running lights and steaming light) and for Sail (lights only the masthead tricolor) The
compass is lit in either selection because I used double pole, double throw switches.
Instrument lights for when they are needed
Anchor light
Strobe light (because I just like having it)
Deck light switches (four of them, some using double throw) for the Foredeck light, the individual Port and Starboard deck lights (because I can choose between High Intensity Discharge "HID" floodlights for
lighting up the night, or lower
consumption LED deck lights), and the Aft floodlight. Having these lights is nice if you are doing
work on deck, needing to illuminate the
dock that you are approaching, or, in the wee hours of the night, using a bunk mounted relay switch, casting a protective cone of bright light all around the
boat to respond to the potential bad guys lurking nearby. I also have, at the lowest position on the right side (for Braille conditions) the Night Lights switch which turns on all of the red LED floor, and other location, lamps that make it possible to move about in the dark without waking sleeping off-watch crewmembers.
In addition to the switches, the gauges have accompanying
LED lights and buzzers to back up the situational awareness of whoever is on watch. For example, a bright, large red LED to announce that the
windlass power is on, a small green LED next to the switch for the
Balmar regulator to confirm the Small
Engine Mode is activated (if you need all power possible to start the engine), red LED and buzzer if the
oil pressure suddenly drops, red LEDs and different sounding buzzers above the Temp gauge, one to indicate the
engine is now dangerously hot, the other, tied to a flow switch in the seawater intake line, to warn that something has happened (bad impeller, kelp leaf or plastic bag over the seawater intake) that will shortly heat up the engine, various LEDs and buzzers around the Voltmeter that connect to the
Balmar regulator to warn of
electrical issues that might need attention, and lights and buzzers above the
Racor Vacuum gauge to let the
helm know that the
fuel filter is crudding up (and that the alternate filter switch needs to be engaged), or that the
fuel filter has
water in it. In short, should the helm go below to use the
head, grab a sweater or make a sandwich, that the alarms will let him or her know something potentially bad is happening. I also have several
bilge pump LEDs for the five automatic pumps that I have installed (I hate surprises). And lastly, the Engine Room Fire
Alarm. Because all of the buzzers have different sounds, I can be sound asleep, off watch, and still know what terrible thing is about to happen as I grope for consciousness. And, of course, the
electronics also have their associated alarms for
depth, big things that suddenly show up in front of us, or other issues.