Custom buttons panel

[DonPeterD]

Want a button panel like this.

Buttons needs to activate relay.
Circuit needs to be fused.
How??

8 buttons with light, 8 relays, 8 fuses is just about 2mio wires and a big mess. Has ANYONE seen a “module” with relays and fuses, that has a momentary circuit relay for horn, bilge, PA - and a on/off for lights, lanterns etc!?

This is only for the good looks!! I’m very aware that there are tons of cheap complete junkpanels out there.

[ShinyShoe]

Why add relays that add an extra point of failure? Yes some kit needs a relay but horns etc don't usually...

[DonPeterD]

How would you run a 30 amp lightbar, 10 amp bilgepump - through a 3 amp switch?

[ncp]

These are those switches:
https://www.bocatechinc.com/

Built in circuit protection:
https://newwiremarine.com/product/re...tton-bocatech/

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by DonPeterD

How would you run a 30 amp lightbar, 10 amp bilgepump - through a 3 amp switch?

30Amp light bar? I take it that its not LED. Are you sure it's not 30watts?

If it's 30amp and your bilge pump is 10 amp (that must be a big pump) that's going to draw your entire alternator output between them.

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Why add relays that add an extra point of failure? Yes some kit needs a relay but horns etc don't usually...

+1 Just something else to go wrong.

[DonPeterD]

Originally Posted by ncp

These are those switches:
https://www.bocatechinc.com/

Built in circuit protection:
https://newwiremarine.com/product/re...tton-bocatech/

I’ve seen those, and they are perfect - well except from the price. 800some $ for 8 buttons, plus sockets at 15$/pop if that isn’t crazy, I don’t know what is! But they are circuitbreaker, timer, intelligence all in one package, genius!

[Tim M]

Brian ward marine in Norfolk (google them) will be able to make up the panel you need in whatever design you require. They make panels for quite a few of the big boat builders.

[DonPeterD]

Originally Posted by Last Tango

30Amp light bar? I take it that its not LED. Are you sure it's not 30watts?



If it's 30amp and your bilge pump is 10 amp (that must be a big pump) that's going to draw your entire alternator output between them.

I will just have to pray to not go out at sea with a 4x4 hole in the bottom to drain and a Black Sea to light up, won’t I.

A big lightbar is 20 amps LED yes, AT FULL POWER, properly not needed very often, yet it needs the current draw when so.
Then comes navigation and what ever junk you have running.

But that’s not really my question though.

[DonPeterD]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Brian ward marine in Norfolk (google them) will be able to make up the panel you need in whatever design you require. They make panels for quite a few of the big boat builders.

Sweet Tim! Very useful indeed. But I take it will land in the same range of 800+$ and if that were an option for me, I would probably consider a yacht instead[emoji6]

It can, as described, be accomplished with loose relays and fuses, but it’s a slight pain to wire.
If someone knows of a circuit with relays and fuses on, that are cost effective, then that’s what I’m looking for.
The blue relayboard at the OP is for arduino and 5$ the buttons is 10$ and some fuses 10$. That totals somewhat more manageable price wise.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by DonPeterD

Sweet Tim! Very useful indeed. But I take it will land in the same range of 800+$ and if that were an option for me, I would probably consider a yacht instead[emoji6]

It can, as described, be accomplished with loose relays and fuses, but it’s a slight pain to wire.
If someone knows of a circuit with relays and fuses on, that are cost effective, then that’s what I’m looking for.
The blue relayboard at the OP is for arduino and 5$ the buttons is 10$ and some fuses 10$. That totals somewhat more manageable price wise.

Are you fitting all this kit to a RIB?

[DonPeterD]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Are you fitting all this kit to a RIB?

No no, to my television, in case of war and flooding you know.

Brexit n’all just saying!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by DonPeterD

No no, to my television, in case of war and flooding you know.

Brexit n’all just saying!

Ahh! I see clearly now, I think rule#3 applies in this situation [emoji112]

[DonPeterD]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Ahh! I see clearly now, I think rule#3 applies in this situation [emoji112]

Naah.. the rule to think out loud doesn’t apply here. Or anywhere for that matter..

Say you were sitting in your grandmas best leather chair, hating your life full on. Realize you’ve just hit rock bottom; and it possibly can’t get any worse. Then “Eastenders” comes on, you fall asleep. Waking up with a loud grunt, just to lean you wet your self, and what was in your mouth, is now on your shirt.
Push the light button
Push the bilgepump button.
Everything is suddenly normal again.

(Thinking out loud isn’t really a constructive thing...)

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by DonPeterD

Has ANYONE seen a “module” with relays and fuses, that has a momentary circuit relay for horn, bilge, PA - and a on/off for lights, lanterns etc!?

No

You seem to be after bespoke, complicated, cheap, aesthetically pleasing and a number of other contradictory requirements.

Are you part of the Danish MoD?

[DonPeterD]

Originally Posted by GuyC

No



You seem to be after bespoke, complicated, cheap, aesthetically pleasing and a number of other contradictory requirements.



Are you part of the Danish MoD?

I believe that to be in the eye of the beholder.. I don’t really see the complexity. As mentioned earlier today, it is done - and that is how it is built. Like it or not, that’s how your car is build. On top It even has a few computers to run it all.
-I just hoped someone had cracked it, at a fair price, as I can see I’m not the only with an esthetic sense.

What is the Danish MoD?

[Last Tango]

You have to take this boat seriously.....it's not a toy

[John Kennett]

Blue Sea Systems do an 8 way switch panel with circuit breakers. Switches are rated for 20A at 12V so you'd only need to add a solenoid/relay for your light bar.

https://www.bluesea.com/products/cat...Contura_Panels

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Blue Sea Systems do an 8 way switch panel with circuit breakers. Switches are rated for 20A at 12V so you'd only need to add a solenoid/relay for your light bar.

https://www.bluesea.com/products/cat...Contura_Panels

You've obviously not grasped the brief John, not Gucci enough[emoji57]

[Bobg]

Horns DO need relays with 30A contacts, or switches with 30A contacts A 3 or 5A switch will burn out in no time. This is due to the surge current when the circuit is activated. The Average running current is considerably less.
This criteria applies to any circuit which drives a solenoid (Horn) or a motor. (Inductive load)
If you do fit switches or relays, make sure they are the sealed variety. The marine environment will quickly rot out the cheap variety.. There are Automotive switches and relays which are suitable for a moderate price.
I am a firm believer that Reliability is more important at sea than the price of the components