locking batt switch enclosure

[drewpster]

I am having some trouble finding what I want in a locking weatherproof box where I would mount three battery switches. Most of the enclosures I have found are none locking or of the wrong design. I am trying to find a weatherproof panel that I can flush mount behind an access hatch. It needs to be non-metal construction, latch closed from the front of a hinged door. Anybody got any suggestions where I can find such a box?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

Build one from some polyethelene sheets or 1/4 plexiglass. I thought Tashasdaddy had posted some good links to weatherproof elecrtical boxes from home depot. You could always make one from plywood and coat it with epoxy.

 

[Bondo]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

Why do you need Locking Enclosures,..??....

Take the Coil Wire,....... Disconnect the Batteries,.... Hidden Switch,..??....

 

[drewpster]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

Tashasdaddy did include a good link. It was to a supply house with a huge selection. I ordered their catalog in fact. Trouble is the boxes the sell are not exactly what I want.

Why do you need Locking Enclosures,..??....

I want a locking enclosure for my batt switches for added security and just because I want it. If this were about what I need, I would have saved for retirement rather than buy a boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

if these people don't have what you want it's not made.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/ww...ist=Electrical&prod_level_selected=Electrical

look under boxes, and panel locks.

 

[sbklf]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

Not true, Grainger has a good selection but they don't sell it all. Can you post a picture of the hatch (open so the area behind it is visible) you want to put this enclosure behind? Kevin

 

[drewpster]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

I thought I would use a hatch door similar to this one.

http://www.iboats.com/mall/?keyword...680713443&list_time=1165204482&view_id=237693

The door will be installed next to the helm in one of the side panels of the cockpit. There is plenty of space behind the panel. I will either mount the subpanel directly to the back of the hatch door, or mount a seperate inclosed box inside the hatch. Ideally I will have a box mounted directly to the hatch door enclosing the switch panel.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

use that cover and install one of these. if you loose the key you can always take out the screws.

http://www.thehardwarehut.com/cabinet_locks.php

or one of these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=230060182554&rd=1&rd=1

 

[drewpster]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

When I was sixteen many moons ago, me and my best friend decided to go fishing one day. I had just got my new licence and my bought my first car. (1974 AMC Gremlin). So we drove to a private pond where we had gained permission to fish by doing some yard work for the owner. The pond had a long finger dock that extended out into the water 20 feet or so. Fishing pole and tackle box in hand we proceeded down the dock to set up for some real angling. At some point after a few casts my friend asked me for my pocket knife. I reached in my pocket, pulled out the knife, and heard the metal cling of my car keys hitting the deck boards followed immediately by a plop as they hit the water between the boards under the dock. We were about ten miles from home and Snellville was a small town then. The closest thing to a cell phone we had ever seen was on Star Trek. And being a weekday, the pond owners were hours from coming home from work. What did we do? Kept fishing of course.

That was first lesson at keeping up with keys. I still own the belt hook I bought the next day. A little off topic I know, but the truth is I would forget to pick up my kids before I would lose my keys.

 

[Bondo]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

That was first lesson at keeping up with keys. I still own the belt hook I bought the next day. A little off topic I know, but the truth is I would forget to pick up my kids before I would lose my keys.

Ayuh,...... Some lessons are Learned Early,+ are Remembered............

Unfortunately,....... I Missed a few,+ Forgot most of the rest........

I just Googled up "toolbox latch",+ found this page at the top of the listings,.......
They show several Locking Latches that might work on your Project.......

http://www.windcorp.com/trucktool_acc.htm[/Toolbox Latches]
Ayuh,.. guess that ain't how you put a name on a link,...
Oh well,..... I sure Miss the Old Forums.........

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

i'm the same way with my keys, as i have keys to many peoples houses on my key ring.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

Where do you live Drew? I saw snellville in your post and know it is somewhat near here.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

Well...how about going alittle "outside the box" (sorry for the pun...

would this work?

http://www.iboats.com/mall/?session..._id=257650&list_time=1165347983&view_id=37944

you would have to drill holes for the wires..but it should be easy enough to use waterproof electrical box hardware to keep it dry (or just run the wires up from the bottom so gravity does the work for you.

-JMW

 

[A Fn Noob]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure


A Scientific-Atlanta Load-Control-Device, with the guts ripped out is what you need!

Seriously, why is anything made for the "marine" envrionment so expensive? They should at least include some lube with some items, we are paying to get ****ed after all...

$59 for a plastic lid????
$100 for a Lid with a liner?

You must be joking

 

[drewpster]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

Bassboy, I lived all my young life in the Lilburn, Stone mountian, Lawrenceville and Snellville area. I grew up in a house about 1/2 mile from lake Lucern off 78 hwy. From 1970 to 1984 or so. Went to Knight ELm, Five Forks middle, Parkview HS. Ring any bells?

 

[drewpster]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

After some obsessive overthinking I have come to the conclusion that making the enclosure myself is going to be the way to go. In fact, when I put all the components together that are going into this "electrical gear locker" I realized that it is going to take a rather large subpanel. I have all the components already: Three batt switches+ cabling, Xantrex auto combiner, 4 bank auto charger/maintainer, two 12v main feed breakers, and all the wire and cable.
Currently all the electrical systems gear is located under the floor hatches in the cockpit area. (accessible? yes if you like lifting heavy hatches all the time) In 1968 ABYC electrical standards did not exist and my boat was a perfect example of that. I went through a complete rewire over a years period and added all the stuff listed above. I have learned two things; one, the 1-2-both switch I used is confusing when using an automatic combiner, and two, its a real pain lifting those hatches all the time. System diagram below:

Note: dc panel located in cabin, diagram does not include 4 bank charger. Manual combine switch provided in case of auto combine failure. Individual battery switches provided total independent isolation.
Below you can see the inside of the cockpit area.

http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q187/drewpster/?sc=1&addtype=local

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

i thought you measurements were on the small side to get all that into it.

 

[stevieray]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

drewp - did you look at manufacturer Hoffman for an enclosure? We use them for all our instrumentation jobs. Most industrial electrical distributors stock them (not HD or Lowe's). They have gazillions of sizes & options.

 

[sbklf]

Re: locking batt switch enclosure

I am building a box with FRP sheeting used in tub surrounds available at the hardware store at $30.00 for a 4X8 sheet. If your enclosure is surrounded by hull or other wood structure and thickness is not a problem from a security standpoint (this stuff is only about 3/32" thick) it might be an easy way to build your custom box but you still have the locking hatch issue to deal with.