'Vintage' style 12v control panel

[starman]

I'm just starting out the wiring of 'Project Harry' and don't fancy putting a modern plasticky 12v fuse/control panel in the engine room. Our present boat has a nice olde worlde one with metal toggle switches and glass fuses with screw-off holders. It's a bit old fashioned but suits the style of the boat.

Anyone know where I can get a panel that has more modern fuses/circuit breakers in a traditional design?

[Justme]

I think I remember that Gibbo was looking for old style dial & gauges a while back so he might have a lead or two.

 

Failing that you could buy a sheet of ali & make your own.

[steve hayes]

I use Schaeffer http://www.schaeffer-ag.de/index.php?id=97&L=1 for panels.

 

It is all online, use the design package they provide, the package tells you how much the panel will cost, order on line and sit back for your panel.

[David Mack]

I'm just starting out the wiring of 'Project Harry' and don't fancy putting a modern plasticky 12v fuse/control panel in the engine room. Our present boat has a nice olde worlde one with metal toggle switches and glass fuses with screw-off holders. It's a bit old fashioned but suits the style of the boat.

Anyone know where I can get a panel that has more modern fuses/circuit breakers in a traditional design?

 

Russell Newbery do classic style instruments, although these no longer seem to be illustrated on their website.

 

I have also read on a mailing list/forum/newsgroup somewhere of someone who will make old style enamel dial faces which can be used either on new instruments, or if you are converting/recalibrating old instruments. Can't remember where I saw this though.

 

David

[David Schweizer]

If all else fails you could make up your own panel using Repro Smiths gauges made by Caerbont here:- http://www.caigauge.com/ Their Classic Magnolia range are particularly stylish. Caerbont used to sell direct to the public, but nowadays they seem to market through Agents, one of them is here :- http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/INSTRUMENTS-/-GAUGES-SMITHS-CLASSIC/c1_271/index.html

 

Old fashioned metal toggle switches can be obtained from Vehicle Wiring products here:- http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/switches/lever.php

 

Blank panels can be made up by most engravers, I got mine through Sue Wissgott of Hemel Hempstead , she sells through Ebay:- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bespoke-Custom-Engraved-Sign-A5-8-x-6-/310273868199 I supplied her with a design, and she produced the panel with all the holes cut, I opted not to have any lettring beneath the gauges and switches, but she can do that as well if required.

Edited January 11, 2011 by David Schweizer

[GSer]

If you get stuck, I've got the kit to make the bare panels up to 13" x 17" from supplied drawings, inc holes cut out shapes, dials logos etc.

 

I keep brass to 3mm in stock also plenty of laminates, i can also get acrylic/perspex if needed.

 

Just pm me if you need anything

 

Paul

[twocvbloke]

Found one!!!:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360333720497

 

And another:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370474282763

 

Easy when you search for 12v panel on ebay under "Boat parts & Accessories"...

[starman]

Found one!!!:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360333720497

 

And another:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370474282763

 

Easy when you search for 12v panel on ebay under "Boat parts & Accessories"...

 

Doh! I search Ebay for everything but didn't think to look on it for this. Would metal toggles and glass fuses be considered acceptable by the electrickery gurus in this age of mcbs etc?

[Gibbo]

Ebay is the place.

 

From there I've got brand new, vintage style, volt meters, old style panel lamp indicators, toggle switches, old style screw in fuse holders.

 

Some of these are particularly nice

 

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p4634.m570.l1313&_nkw=JEWEL+PILOT+&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[oasis]

I think 240V LED is as efficient as 12V LED. I got the following off a quick search on Google. Typed in 12V LED for the one search and 230V LED for the other. I tried to compare Lumen output and viewing angle.

 

Light output intensity is measured in Lumens, this is the amount of light hitting your page. So the following comes to light (pun not intended)

 

12V: 490 Lumens at 6 Watt, 0.47A with a viewing angle of 30 deg, cost of $50 USD, life 50000hrs (5-6 yrs)

This works out at 490/6 = 81.7 lumens per watt

 

230V: 330 Lumens at 3.5 Watt, ~ 0.01 A with a viewing angle of 120 deg, cost $5.80, life 5-6 yrs

This works out at 330/3.5 = 94.7 lumens per watt.

 

Bringing the in inverter losses of 10% then the 230V lumens per watt drops to 330/3.8 = 86.8 only marginally better

 

So the only real difference is cost with 230V at >10% of the 12V, the viewing angle and lumens for reading has the 12V in front. I have not looked at the cost of the fittings.

 

APOLOGIES - I AM A NEWBIE AND MEANT TO PLACE THIS IN THE LED PAGE. IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE REDIRECT THIS. THANKS OWEN

Edited January 11, 2011 by oasis