Source for switch panels and LED nav lights

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
I've looked around and found a few but thought that someone here may have a favorite place to go.

Also, comments on what to look for in a switch panel? Features, what to look out for etc... I've seen them on the web priced anywhere from $25 to $150 for a 6 switch panel. Any reason to only go with a 4 switch panel? Any drawbacks if I only use 3 or 4 of the 6 switches? I know I'll immediately use 3-4 of the switches and am certian that over time will use a couple of others.

I am planning on running Nav lights, interior LED lights and a couple of 12V lighter sockets for misc. uses (fish finder, maybe a corded spotlight, trolling motor maybe somewhere down the road.

Thanks for the input.

Mark W
 
I've looked around and found a few but thought that someone here may have a favorite place to go.

Also, comments on what to look for in a switch panel? Features, what to look out for etc... I've seen them on the web priced anywhere from $25 to $150 for a 6 switch panel. Any reason to only go with a 4 switch panel? Any drawbacks if I only use 3 or 4 of the 6 switches? I know I'll immediately use 3-4 of the switches and am certian that over time will use a couple of others.

I am planning on running Nav lights, interior LED lights and a couple of 12V lighter sockets for misc. uses (fish finder, maybe a corded spotlight, trolling motor maybe somewhere down the road.

Thanks for the input.

Mark W
Click to expand...


Mark,

For my snowgoose I used the West Marine brand fused 6 switch panel and it has held up really, really well in the saltwater environment. No source for LED Nav lights though.

T
 
Here's what I'm running on all (4) four of my boats.

USCG approved 2nm.

led1.gif



led2.gif



http://www.livorsi.com/...ging1.htm#elliptical
 
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Mark,
these blue seas panels are very nice in a small boat and come with the breakers\or fuses behind the cover.


the link is for the breaker panel.

Pick a number that works for you and google it for the cheapest price.


http://bluesea.com/category/62/27/productline/118


Jeff,
nice bow lights. Have you been able to view them from afar at night? We have put in some of the Hella masthead and nav. lights and they are bright as heck.
 
Mark,
these blue seas panels are very nice in a small boat and come with the breakers\or fuses behind the cover.


the link is for the breaker panel.

Pick a number that works for you and google it for the cheapest price.


http://bluesea.com/...2/27/productline/118


Jeff,
nice bow lights. Have you been able to view them from afar at night? We have put in some of the Hella masthead and nav. lights and they are bright as heck.
Click to expand...


Bob,

So you have had good luck with those. I know Blueseas makes great stuff, but when I was building the snowgoose, I thought about those, but the water resistant rating scared me off (the price too). My reasoning was that water resistant was going to allow any water that snuck in there to fester and not evaporate since it is semi-sealed, rather than dry out if it got wet. I'm planning for the Seacraft work already, obviously.

T
 
If price is an issue the panels made in China that look like you made it yourself, but never could for the price they sell them for are fine. BUTTTTTTTTT I met the owner of Blue Seas at a show and got to spend dinner with him. As far as electronics go I like what Blue Seas is doing and they stand behind their stuff. It looks good and works. They seem to make what a guy with a small boat needs, not just what has worked for the line for the last 40 years.

Others are trying to play catch up now.


As for any marine electronics.....Water proof or not. If you hose it down with enough salt water its toast. Period. Just a matter of time.
Thats where a guy gets his points, figuring out a way to keep the thing visible and dry at the same time. A good marine grease or corrosion X goes a long way to helping the cause.

As far as price Blue Seas is right there with Panel Tronics and or Bass,(a CT Company) so I dont think they are out of line.

http://www.povhost.com/bass/12kpanel.htm

A 4 to 6 switch panel from any one should handle a duck boat........ But a Classic Seacraft, now thats another story.
 
Thanks Bob,

One of the reasons I reccommended the simple west marine non-protected panel is that it has held up with no corrosion for 5 years of my use. It is out of the way and protected somewhat and in anyapplication it would need to be. I soaked it before install with Corrosion X and did it again this summer, I saw not a bit of corrosion in or outside the switches or fuses, all the wire and connectors are tinned, I'm sure it would last forever in a freshwater environment, if it was out of the way.

The seacraft panel will proabably be exposed to less even salt than the snowgoose, but I'll also probably use higher quality components on it, anyway.

Thanks again, filed away that info for the future.

T
 
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