Guages and Switches

[fishbote]

I am redoing my console and was wondering what some of you recommend for guages (especially Tach) and panel switches (waterproof). Seems like Blue Sea is popular. Is it the Horizontal Series Waterproof Panels? Thanks in advance.

[Jon G]

Fishbote, I haven't looked a guages yet but I can speak for the Blue Seas water proof switch panels. Top shelf, waterproof,led,rocker switches. You can get them either way horiz/vert. I started looking at cheaper panels and then I thought, why would I go cheap on something that controls my bilge pumps? Welcome and good luck. Jon [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Scott]

Another one is Paneltronics ....they make just about everything imaginable (will do custom panels) ........for a price

They mass produce the most common configurations (6 and 8 switch vertical or horizontal etc....) fuse/switch panels and circuit breaker panels .... They have backlit function lables and also have indicator light for on/off status. Very well built ....but also more expensive

I have talked with these guys and they said I could basically make a panel anyway I wanted (If I had the need to do so ) ….and I believe I was told the aluminum panel came in white also..

Rocker switch

Toggles

Circuit breaker

[Scott]

Oh yeah Gauges ....Teleflex is probably the most recognized ..... But I went with Faria .... again I think these run a little more in the cash department

[Miles Offshore]

Fishbote, welcome to the board. My friend also just installed the white bezeled faria's and they are nice instruments. He got a lot better deal by buying a set on the internet than he could at the marine stores. I used the teleflex black bezeled gauges on mine again. Still has the original teleflex going strong on her. (You would think they might change the look of them a little bit over the past 25 years but they have'nt. Good luck, I dont thing you can go wrong with either set.
http://aolsearch.aol.com/dirsearch.a...faria%20gauges
I am using bluesea switch panels on mine. The 8 switch is horizontal and the 6 and 3 versions are verticle. I dont believe you can get either in the other direction though. Bluesea makes a lot of other componants that go along with the switches and that is the main reason I went/am going with them.

[Jon G]

Scott those panels look nice, I'll have to keep Paneltronics in mind for future projects. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[fishbote]

First of all, thanks for the replies. This is a great site! Is there any place I can take a look at both products? Blue Seas and Paneltronics both seem like quality products. I like the idea of backlit labels on the paneltronics. Anyway, if anyone looked at both I would like to hear your thoughts.

[Scott]

Well I think if you put the Blue Seas and the Paneltronic side by side (the rocker switch version) I think they would look identical....I think West Marine and Boat US have the Blue Seas Versions.....as far as the Paneltronics goes....I've only seen them at Consumer Marine's show room (Wall, NJ or online)....I know that really doesn’t help but they are very nice panels....You might email Paneltronics and they might point you in the direction of a dealer closer to you ....bottom line...They are both nice panels..

And Miles has a good point ..... Several of the gauges that I'm replacing had been Teleflex.(Still working and being replaced as the whole boat is being rewired and for cosmetic reasons.... with this Brand and style gauge

[jw]

I replaced my panel on my 20CC I/O with a panel made of mahogany. All the gauges were replaced with Stewart Warner, Purchased from Davidson Sales, In FLa, good Prices, carries all Manufactuers. The electrical was treplaces with a Blue Sea eater proof toggle panel 4 over 4.
My rig is a 1974 so the wiring was the old color scheme, Ancor has the old colors as well as what they do.
JW