Rich,
Your engine control panel is a really good idea. When I repowered last winter I let my installer put the standard Yanmar panel on the bridge deck where the Westerbecke instruments were located. The problem with that location is that the panel uses a key start switch. The key stands proud of the bridge deck and it is easy to hit with your foot when going into and out of the companionway. I may steal your solution, eliminate the key switch and install start & stop to momentary buttons near the helm.
I was initially worried about someone stepping on the key and breaking it off on the panel. While we were motoring down the ICW last week one of us hit the key and moved it to the off position. This happened more than once although we were aware of the vulnerability of the key switcht. All of a sudden we'd notice the instruments were dead. I wish I had thought this through better when we were doing the re-power, but the instrument panel just wasn't something I was focused on.
John
On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 9:47 AM, < ([email][/email])> wrote:
Putting the batteries in the starboard locker doesn't make a lot of sense. At one point in time, I had large 6v batteries in there, like golf-cart batteries but much taller and heavier. It gave the boat a permanent list. I relocated the batteries to the bilge just forward of the sump. This puts them out of the way and where the weight will do some good. The drawback with this is that if you boat floods, your batteries will be under water. I have a separate starting battery that is on the shelf inside the hanging locker, so even if the bilge floods I still have power until that is underwater too. By then, I have bigger problems. I cut out the battery box and now have a huge locker for storage. Its full of stuff of course. Someone installed them under the steering quadrant. My autopilot is there, so I couldn't do the same. This limits the height of the battery, but otherwise looks to be a good spot if yours will fit.
https://www.pearson424.org/gallery/album08
The pull cable is expensive to replace and IMHO is a dumb idea. I tore it out and replace it with a solenoid lever made for that kind of thing. When you turn the key on, the solenoid pushes the kill lever to “ON” and when you turn the key off it returns it to “OFF”; just like a car.
I replaced the engine three years ago with a Yanmar. They have a cutoff solenoid as part of the stock engine. They have it backwards however. Apply power to the solenoid to kill the engine. This means that you need an off-button. This is what the panel looks like now.
http://www.richardcarter.net/boat/pix/key.JPG
I have no key on the panel. The top switch pulls out to supply power to the panel. The red button stops the engine, green starts it. I also put a key just above the engine so I can start the engine from inside the boat when working on it.
—
Rich Carter
Original message
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