Engine Room Circuit Breaker Box

[Gusshr]

Hi All,

I am in the process of collecting my main 12V large wires in the Port engine room, and I need to have a box to house around 5-8 circuit breakers.

I have seen in newer boats (maybe 80's) circuit breaker boxes in the engine rooms. What kind of material are those boxes made of? What do you all recommend for the material of the box? Should I go with outdoor rated circuit breaker box from the home depot? (knowing that I am only housing 12 volts and nothing 120v) The ones they have there are only metallic rated for outdoors.

Or should I build one from my Garage's starboard or PVC sheets?

Thanks

 

[SeaEric]

Most electrical fires on boats are DC related. Proceed with caution and with ABYC standards in mind. AVOID bringing anything from Home Depot aboard your boat.

 

[Gusshr]

Trust me I know the rules and I follow them very well. The question I have is what material Hatterass used for the boxes in the engine room?

 

[MVCaprice]

Trust me I know the rules and I follow them very well. The question I have is what material Hatterass used for the boxes in the engine room?

I'm pretty sure ours are all painted steel.

 

[Boatsb]

Trust me I know the rules and I follow them very well. The question I have is what material Hatterass used for the boxes in the engine room?

It does not matter what hatteras used. It was 30 or 40 years ago and standards have changed.

You need a new abyc approved or uscg approved panel and enclosure.

Home cheepo will not have it.

Worst morons will not recognize it if it falls off the shelf and hits them in the head.

 

[MVCaprice]

It does not matter what hatteras used. It was 30 or 40 years ago and standards have changed.

You need a new abyc approved or uscg approved panel and enclosure.

Home cheepo will not have it.

Worst morons will not recognize it if it falls off the shelf and hits them in the head.

Agreed. I would look at the Blue Sea Surface mount panel system. Its all in one and ready for labels. We redid our old Broward with the Blue Sea stuff and it seemed to be high quality and reliable stuff.

 

[Scarlett]

Agree on the Blue Seas stuff. I don't think Marinco is still around they may be part of Newmar now, but they would make up custom panels for you at very reasonable prices, you might see if Newmar still does that. John

 

[Boatsb]

Marinco and blue seas are sister companies. They both are part of bep or whatever the parent company is called.

 

[Gusshr]

It does not matter what hatteras used. It was 30 or 40 years ago and standards have changed.You need a new abyc approved or uscg approved panel and enclosure. Home cheepo will not have it.Worst morons will not recognize it if it falls off the shelf and hits them in the head.

Scott, could you please elaborate on your last line? What does this has to do with electricicals?

 

[Boatsb]

It means the majority of their employees could not distinguish between an electric coffee pot and a GPS.

Asking them for guidance is asking for trouble.

 

[Toolsntoys]

I agree that blue sea panels are the way to go. I just added a 12v on my boat. Does blue sea make a panel that's not surface mount? I don't know. If it's going in the engine room surface mount wount work as you would need the whole box. Hatt used an all aluminum box. (Not 100% sure) but I do know that the 30 year old box is corrosion free and looks like new.

 

[Boatsb]

Add a box for cable and strain relief. A swing out door would be best. Mount the panel in the door and make a nice looking and easily accessible one.

 

[Gusshr]

By the way Blue sea does not sell boxes. they sell panels only.

My question was about the box. Usually that is cut out from the interior part of the boat/cabinet and then you add the panel that contain the marine circuit breakers (essentially what Blue sea is made of). There is nothing smart about that as long as you know what you are doing.

It is not feasible to cut a hole in any wall of the engine room in my boat and simply have a flush mounted circuit. Therefore I am looking for a box to screw on the wall of the engine room in an accessible area. I know that the older Hatterasses have metallic boxes, I think I am going with starboard since I have a spare piece from my previous boat.

Now as far as marine stuff vs non-marine stuff, it all depends. I remember reading a post for someone saying the if you want to get a marine electric box then pick one up at a local hardware store take to the register and tell them you like to pay more for it!!

These are my two cents

Asfar as panels I have got a sheet of acrylic (same material that panels are made of and willing to put my dremel to work carving holes to mount the breakers on them. (similar material used in all boats), I got a piece of black one from prospect plastics in Ft Lauderdale (which they can make one for you with laser cuts if you desire) for $17. I will post pictures of my finished project.

 

[Boatsb]

Do what you want.


I'd get a proper nmea/abyc box with a hinged door and cut the door for the panel. It will have the knockouts or areas for cable strain relief and will be non conductive.

I dont care what the hardware store has or says.

 

[Gusshr]

Do you know anyone who sells abyc approved boxes?

I found NEMA IP66 boxes which are higher standards than the IP55 (the marine Newmar boxes on defender). I am not finding any breaker boxes that are ABYC approved.

 

[krush]

Check with these guys: http://www.bassproducts.com/

Also: https://www.paneltronics.com/Electrical_Components.asp?op=Rack-Mount-Enclosures

Also, there are many small specialty businesses that make up wiring panels in house...custom. They can do engraving and labeling etc. This may be a case of farming out might be the cheapest solution. Like these guys: http://www.wewireboats.com/

Markup on some of this marine stuff is outrageous and the contractors may get a large discount, so at the end of the day, you may not be out much more $$$ to have a plug and play setup.

Blue Seas has some surface mount stuff off-the-shelf: https://www.bluesea.com/products/category/14/34/Surface_Mount_System

 

[krush]

You can do what this blowboater did. Looks like a decent solution, but you have to cut your own hole.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14/elci-breakers-anyone-have-them-146750-3.html#post1835065

Or cut holes in this NEMA box https://www.amazon.com/BUD-Industri...d=1500090487&sr=8-6&keywords=pvc+junction+box

 

[jim rosenthal]

You may be able to find a suitable box through McMaster-Carr, also. They sell plastic electrical boxes- I used one when I was wiring my home generator set in, and it passed county inspection easily.

 

[bobk]

I just went back to re-read the original post and I think you want to build breaker panels for high current-carrying wires and cables in a very hot environment. I would not use ANY of the plastics you mentioned. They all have low melting or softening points and are very flammable. These plastics are not the same as the materials used for gem boxes or the opaque black panels used on boats. The latter are thermosets and almost certainly flame retarded. As others have suggested, you would be well served here by using an approved material and better yet, a purpose built box that hinges out for easy access.

Bobk