Fuse Block 204c

[dmp700]

I am new to this group, so please bare with me. I bought my GW last year, (always wanted one) it's an older boat, 84 with a 2000 Johnson 225. I LOVE THE BOAT. I went thru the boat meticulously and it was sound. Anyway, as you know, the instrument panel "wood" is something to be desired, and I will change that. As you know it has the glass fuses and older fighter type switches. It has 7 switches right now, and I want to upgrade these to whatever is best. ie: thumb switches(rockers) or what everyone here suggests. Can I replace the fuse block with the push in type fuses? Is this a big pain in the butt? can I add more switches ie: 10? if it only has 7 now? do I add another fuse block and piggy back it to the one i have now? I know I have alot of Q's, I just want it updated, because I will have this for a long time. I tend to take care of things I own ( Anal retentive) Any help would be greatly appreciated.. Thankyou for your help. I am not afraid to do repairs, that you suggest I do, was in the military, worked on B-52, KC-135, and Fighter jets. So anything fiberglass is easy as well as fabricating. Thanks again

 

[kabinfever]

i replaced the sub panel on my 1990 overnighter. the main was still working well, but the sub was corroded badly. now everything thing works and plenty of room for extra circuits. i put in a blue sea w/ push in type fuses. 12 circuits i think. about $50 and well worth the labor of cleaning up wiring,putting on new ends, and tracing out circuits. mine was a factory sub already in there . a little bit of a pain b/c of location but again, worth it. do yourself a favor. if you label the fuse block, also write it in a notebook or something similar b/c i looked at mine yesterday and ink on labels is faded badly. good luck

 

[Bread]

I also replaced the fuse block panel (blusesea) on my 1990 overnighter with the push-in fuses when I added a fish-finder and GPS; it works fine.

I would like to replace the switch panel but cannot find a simple/economical replacement. My switch panel has the wood panel too, with 7 toggle switches and 1 push switch for the horn. It measures 7” H x 5” W. I talked to GW Customer service awhile back and they told me they do not have the exact measurements i.e. screw holes etc. It seems like I would have to make 7x5 templates, use a smaller 6 switch panel and then modify it to add the push-horn, on-off-on switches. In other posts I have seen custom made panels that I remember cost about ~$300 from vendors like Vectorled (http://www.vectorled.com) (could not get to their site and got a web site error, in biz still?)

 

[mboyatt]

Dmp700, first, thank you for your service to this country. Greatly appreciated! I agree with a previous poster to go with the BlueSea fuse panel. Very nice stuff and with your mechanical experience, you can handle the job very easily. I did the project myself and have very little electrical experience - I sure haven't been working on B-52s!! Regarding the helm control panel / instrument panel, I suggest switching to the rocker switches and spending the cash to get a custom panel cutout for your needs. I have that on my list for this winter. I think it would be well worth a couple hundred bucks to have something that looks custom. Good luck and welcome!

 

[GeeDub]

[quote="Bread"In other posts I have seen custom made panels that I remember cost about ~$300 from vendors like Vectorled (http://www.vectorled.com) (could not get to their site and got a web site error, in biz still?)[/quote]

Bread I don't believe that business is still around, and if it is, search more and you'll find some questionable dealings. I have seen the following companies, however mentioned by successful/happy owners:

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/index.html
http://www.wewireboats.com/s.html
http://www.newwiremarine.com/

Unsure of prices.

 

[kabinfever]

check out new wire marine online