The old engine panel was in the forward wall of the cockpit
foot-well, not a great place for an engine panel. While the boat was in
the boat shed I cut out the old frame and recess for the engine panel.
The old Datamarine instruments were also in the
cockpit well, everything was removed and the openings glassed and
filled.
We had
the box made
to accomodate the radar display and the engine panel. The top half of
the box fits the new C80 radar display. It's on a RAM mount that allows
it to swing out and be seen from the wheel. Since the picture at right
was taken we've added another ball mount for the RAM below the hatch.
This allows the radar to be mounted out of the way of people using the
companionway.
The lower half is the engine panel with the auto pilot
controls
and nav lighting switches on the right side. I removed all the gauges
from the Yanmar panel, along with the stop switch. I painted the grey
gauges black and wired the new panel with switches and indicator lights
specifically for our engine model. Due to the generic nature of the
original panel I was able to remove over half the wiring harness from
the new panel. Everything on this panel is water proof so a cover for
the panel is not needed. Since it's inside, the keyed switch was
omitted.
The alternator warning light is also wired into the Balmar
regulator and gives appropriate indication that the Balmar is working.
