Location for electric panel

[Morwenna]

I recently bought an electrical switch panel identical to that shown in this photo lifted from another post.


I am currently planning where to put it and did briefly consider the location shown in that image but ruled it out as being too close to the compass (on the other side of the bulkhead). Am I being too picky here?

Thoughts?
Nevil

"Morwenna"

[Currie]

Hi Nevil,

Hmmm, maybe not too picky. My compass is on the other side of the factory standard panel and it has no issues. I did keep the wires tucked far away as possible from the back of the compass. However, the meter in your picture has VU meters, which use magnetic coils to move the needle. Do you activate them with a pushbutton to read? Or are they always indicating something? If the former, maybe no big deal either. You can also buy a small sheet of mu-metal too, to shield it.

Info:
http://www.oberlin.edu/physics/catalog/ ... metal.html

Google shopping search
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/i ... shield.php

On Edit: Hmmmm again - if the Mu-metal is too close to the compass, you might be shielding the compass from the earth's magnetic field. It would have to be right on the back of the electrical panel. Tricky. Like I said, mine (with no meters) does fine.

Cheers,
~Bob

[tangentair]

The effect on the compass would not be my major consideration, easy of access, distance from batteries, "dry"ness of the location, ease of adding new runs and trouble shooting existing ones. These would be my first concern, the compass can be moved and a speaker or lighted panel etc put in its place. But upgrading the current electrical panel was one of my first modifications, I went with breakers "cause I don't want to hunt for a fuse in the dark". Good luck with yours. There is considerable discussion in the archives on wiring and electrical connections - you might want to look them over.