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08-10-2015, 10:27 AM
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#1
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Guru
City: Southern Maine
Vessel Model: Prairie 36 Coastal Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,717
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Custom Helm Gauge Panel
I'd like to see what others have done with their helm gauge panel (aka "dashboard").
My thoughts are, I'd like to raise it up a little above the console, so I can angle it slightly. Maybe a clear plastic cover. New custom-cut panel from FrontPanelExpress.
I keep hesitating. Do I keep the existing analog gauges? With the engine data now available on my NMEA 2000 interface, I have all kinds of new options.
Do I add things like a USB power port?
Anything else that might be useful? Pictures welcome!
Here's the beast I'm trying to update:
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08-10-2015, 10:40 AM
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#2
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Guru
City: Maine Coast
Vessel Name: Tortuga
Vessel Model: Nunes Brothers Raised Deck Cruiser
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 889
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When I did my repower, there was no panel supplied, just a box of instruments. Here is what I did. I added my windlass control and the override for my automatic fire extinguisher/engine shutdown system.
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08-11-2015, 12:42 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: hawaii
Vessel Name: #31
Vessel Model: ex-Navy MUB 50 fish/cruise
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 873
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I like a panel to be mounted on hinges so that it can flip up for access to the backside.
I use a trick from race car experience, rotate all the gauges so the needle points 12o'clock at normal running condition. That way you can tell at a glance if anything is amiss without having to actually read each gauge.
If you do much night boating, now's a good time to install red lighting in the gauges, much easier on the old eyes.
If you decide to loose the analog gauges at the helm, consider installing them in the engine room, always good to have a reference/backup panel.
These days USB ports are essential, but make sure there is somewhere to park the decvices, they don't rest well on a sloping surface, will be hanging by the cord after the first wave!
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08-11-2015, 03:09 PM
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#4
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Guru
City: Madeira Beach, FL
Vessel Name: Seaweed
Vessel Model: Schucker mini-trawler
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,236
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kapnd
If you decide to loose the analog gauges at the helm, consider installing them in the engine room, always good to have a reference/backup panel.
These days USB ports are essential, but make sure there is somewhere to park the decvices, they don't rest well on a sloping surface, will be hanging by the cord after the first wave!
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What a great idea to reuse the gauges down below... Spiffy. Thanks.
In addition to the USB, you can buy some with a mini-USB plug at the end. I've got one of those by where I sit for my cell-phone. The cord on mine is small (8") so it's not useful for the Kindle.
I like to read too much to have it tethered on such a short wire.
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08-11-2015, 05:28 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: kemah
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,135
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I did a panel for a center console and used frontpanel express. They did great work. I went with a black matt finish with cnc scribed labels that were filled with white epoxy.
that panel was awesome looking after it was populated and mounted. It was instrumental (<-- get it?) in selling the boat too.
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08-11-2015, 06:31 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: Southern Maine
Vessel Model: Prairie 36 Coastal Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,717
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Good stuff! The hinge is a great idea. Somewhere to park handheld devices too.
I had Front Panel Express do a small panel for a new switch on my main electrical panel, mostly as a test, and I liked it. It's cool to be able to design it on my laptop and ship it off for fabrication. I just would hate to get it back and think of something I should have done differently. Hence this thread.
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08-11-2015, 07:07 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: Full Time Cruising East Coast
Vessel Name: Meridian
Vessel Model: Krogen-42
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,014
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Cost of a custom panel?
__________________
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Terry
Meridian
KK-42097
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08-11-2015, 07:44 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: San Diego
Vessel Name: Circuit Breaker
Vessel Model: 2021..22' Duffy Cuddy cabin
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,691
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptTom
I'd like to see what others have done with their helm gauge panel (aka "dashboard").
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Maybe Mark Pierce will post a pic of his panel...to me, his is absolutely beautiful! (Could it be that he knew what he was doing?)
__________________
Done with diesel power boats! Have fallen in love with all electric!
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08-11-2015, 07:52 PM
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#9
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Guru
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
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Kevin Sanders is another one who did a nice custom panel. Cannot recall the screen name but the person who CNC cut it for him is a TF member.
__________________
Craig
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
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08-11-2015, 09:36 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Beverly Hills
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,371
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Check out Mango Mama's custom panel in the Kadey Krogen builders section, "Manatee Pilothouse enclosure" post #10.
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08-11-2015, 10:27 PM
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#11
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Master and Commander
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
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I worked with the builder in designing the layout of my panel. Controls/instruments are arranged so that those of most interest to the lookout as opposed to the helmsman are located closer to the boat's center (the helm is on the starboard side).
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
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08-11-2015, 10:31 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,329
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Hendo78 has BTDT, and posted pics. If I remember, he first had a gloss finished platform but decided it was prone to mark and scratch.
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
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