Anyone used BEP Switch Panels

diver 1 · 26 February 2011, 22:53

I´m looking for a switch panel for my rib rather than a series of cheap toggle switches.
It will be for nav lights, etc

I´ve seen this http://www.power-store.com/view-item...d=1016&id=172&

Are these any good?

Thanks

diver 1 · 26 February 2011, 22:55

..Also does anyone know where I can find one without paying over 7 quid postage!

Thanks

martini · 27 February 2011, 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by diver 1

I´m looking for a switch panel for my rib rather than a series of cheap toggle switches.
It will be for nav lights, etc

I´ve seen this http://www.power-store.com/view-item...d=1016&id=172&

Are these any good?

Thanks

Its just a series of cheap toggle switches set in a panel for 33 quid, I'd rather make my own and buy the switches and labels for a lot less.

BogMonster · 27 February 2011, 11:42

Must be for a Verado as there's even a switch for the supercharger bottom right

I just had matching rocker switches fitted on mine with the labels on the switch.

Downhilldai · 27 February 2011, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Its just a series of cheap toggle switches set in a panel for 33 quid, I'd rather make my own and buy the switches and labels for a lot less.

Me too.

diver 1 · 27 February 2011, 17:42

OK thanks for the advice. Back to my orginal plan with the toggle switches then!

Downhilldai · 27 February 2011, 17:50

You can get Carling rocker switches (which are very nice) for around £4 each and they make a modular mounting panel system which will accommodate any number of switches you care to use for a few quid.

Mollers · 27 February 2011, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

You can get Carling rocker switches (which are very nice) for around £4 each and they make a modular mounting panel system which will accommodate any number of switches you care to use for a few quid.

I've got 'em on 'Hey Joe' (DHD's reccomend

) They are a proper job.

Jizm · 27 February 2011, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Its just a series of cheap toggle switches set in a panel for 33 quid, I'd rather make my own and buy the switches and labels for a lot less.

Got to say I was thinking the same thing....

some ideas here...

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.e...ches/lever.php

biffer · 27 February 2011, 18:58

just had a look at them toggle switch's, you must be out of your mind to even think about putting them on a boat

Jizm · 27 February 2011, 19:36

I was only referring to the rubber booted ones and they are only splashproof, same as the original BEP panel, just alot cheaper....

As DHD said Carling are hard to beat and available in a similar configuration, but obviously alot dearer.

http://aquafax.co.uk/html/product_details.asp?ID=10194

Or buy individual carling switches, as many as required of the type needed (off-on, momentary etc) and then get the bezels and legends to suit. I reckon it may still be cheaper than the BEP...

Ian M · 27 February 2011, 19:53

IP 56 = ingress protection first number (5) = protected against dust ingress, some ingress permitted. Second number (6) = protected against strong jets of water, limited ingress permitted. Limited salt water ingress onto electrical contacts

not for me!
Agree with Biff.
No experience of Carling switches, I've used Blue Sea which have proved reliable. Blue Sea weather deck switch panels IP67 rated, proof to temporary immersion - as needed on a RIB console (ie no ingress permitted) ~ £100 (money well spent in my book).
Ian

Jizm · 27 February 2011, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

IP 56 = ingress protection first number (5) = protected against dust ingress, some ingress permitted. Second number (6) = protected against strong jets of water, limited ingress permitted. Limited salt water ingress onto electrical contacts

not for me!
Agree with Biff.
For example, Blue Sea weather deck switch panels IP67 rated, proof to temporary immersion - nothing gets in! ~ £100 (money well spent in my book).
Ian

Agreed, but you should have seen the state of some of the IP68 control gear I used to replace in a factory I worked in, they didn't factor in the cleaning crew that's for sure!!

As a spark by trade I'm also with you but not all boats get used in all weathers so you pay your money and you takes your choice...

martini · 27 February 2011, 21:05

Interestingly, Blue Sea use Carling switches on their Weatherdeck panels with basically the same rubber boot over and rate it at IP67

Personally I think if my switch panel can take being blasted with a jet of water with only "limited ingress", then a bit of spray from the bow is unlikely to cause instant death of my electrics.

Ian M · 27 February 2011, 21:49

Sorry should have made the definition clearer - what the IP rating refers to are test conditions. These test conditions and test durations will be carefully defined. So the pass criteria for the test is a small amount of dust or water (which ever is being tested at the time) to get past the protection. This is the test conditions, and does not define the extent of ingress when taking loads of green water over the console every day of the week.

Often refer to these as part of the day job. Just getting the anorak now

biffer · 28 February 2011, 08:40

when something fails on a boat i like to take the bit to pieces to see why it failed, the toggle switches, if you can get them undone from the panel are made of ali, brass and steel, problay the worst combination you could have in a salt water world, this may be of interest, the trim switch on a controller handle, sometimes they go slightly loose and notchy, well the switch bit is fine but the spring under the rocker isn't, it's a 50 quid switch that fails for a little spring like the ones they use in ballpoint pens or small brushes from electric drills
you can buy carling's and swop the rockers about, they just pull off so you can change the faces

Dirk Diggler · 28 February 2011, 09:36

The Carlings you all refer to are known as V series, but they also make an excellent toggle as well. I've had a few failures with the V series, but I've never had one of their toggles (with a rubber cover) let me down.

Don't buy "v" series from Cquip though, they're cheap chinese copies, although the modular bases that they sell are fine.