Which panel?

[P69]

I am replacing the 30+ year old DC panel and AC panel (along with a bunch of wire).

I have narrowed it down to  the following:

I can't find any other mfg other than Blue Seas.

Choice 1:  8408, which is a combo  AC/DC panel.
Choice 2: One 8379 DC only panel and one 8074 AC panel

I'm leaning towards Choice 2 because I think 2 pieces will offer better installation flexibility, they have a few more spaces for expansion, and I think it's better (if not recommend by standards) to not have AC and DC on same panel.

I'd like to know 1) am I going in right direction  and 2) is it worth effort/time to seek out other panel manufacturers or are BS panels good and priced  in the ball park of other mfgs?

Also, does anyone have other recommendations regarding panel choices?

Yes, I have diagrammed my DC loads and grouped them by use/max amps per circuit so that load is < 15 amps per circuit and need  about 15  DC breakers and four AC breakers.

The panels will be installed in a cabinet on stbd side because i am rotating the nav table and building a quarter berth, so I have a lot of flexibility at this point for where to put them.

SailorLou, are you satisfied with your choice of panel. It looks like you have the 8408 panel?

Thanks

[Dale Tanski]

Blue Sea is an excellent choice for marine electrical components and you will not be disappointed with a Blue Sea purchase.  I stock more and more of their products because of their quality and long term value. There are several other panel suppliers out there such as:

Genuine Marine http://www.genuinemarine.com
Paneltronics http://paneltronics.com
Bass Marine http://www.bassproducts.com/

I would agree with both of your trains of thought on combined panels and separate AC/DC.  I installed a combination AC/DC panel by Blue Sea on the back plane of the nav station.  What ever you do go big or go home.  Extra breaker positions do not cost that much today but they will cost you dearly 5 years from now. 

Blue Sea and Paneltronics both make custom and semi custom panels.  Custom panels are what imply, built to your specifications and dimensions. Semi custom panels typically utilize standard panel blanks and you select the panel face color, correct size breaker, breaker handle color, label wording and so on. You can even have a plexiglass hinged door installed. We just sold a semi custom panel to a charter customer in Alaska and they got exactly what they wanted and the price was only a few dollars more than a plain Jane out of the box panel that really did not fit their needs. Needless to say they were thrilled as they and their normal supplier had no idea that a panel of that nature even existed.

When contemplating a project such as the one you are embarking on, think it through many many times. You should also be considering the type and size of wire, amp rating of each breaker properly sized to each component, wire management accessibility. Here is a good example http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Wiring_Solutions/Wire_Duct_-a-_Accessories

I hate to say it but if you are ordering a panel from a big catalog marine store they will typically not provide you with choices. They simply sell by the number and often do not even know that custom or semi custom panels and components are available.  If you need help please feel free to contact us.

Dale
Maruska
Hull #40 Cutter Ketch
Obersheimer Sailor Supply

[Sailorlou]

I am extremely happy with my Blue Sea Panel and every other Blue Sea product I have purchased.  They are well thought out and very reliable products.
I agree with Dale, "...go big or go home...".  Beside my main AC/DC panel I have three additional panels, one six breaker and two three breaker panels, not including two bilge pump panels, one windlass breaker, one hooka dive compressor breaker, one hydronic diesel heater breaker and solar and wind generator controllers. 
I also agree with Dale about thinking and rethinking your installation and all the possible systems you may install down the road that will need electrical connection.
If I was to do it all over again I would seriously consider going with a custom panel.
I opened up and expanded the area next to the chart table to build out my system and I have a computer drawing of each terminal buss, color coding and clearly identifying each wire. 
I did the opposite.  I originally had a quarter berth and converted it into a lazarett and wet locker and enlarged and improved the nav station.
If you would like some photos of my system I can email them to you.

Lou
Captain s/v FarAway

[P69]

Thanks Dale & Lou.

Lou, I'll PM you my email. I would like yo see some pictures

Thanks

[slokat]

Here's what I ended up doing for panels. (see pic @ link below)

http://slokat.com/Wind%20Tamer/pics/panels1.jpg

I added the switches for running lights, blower & sailing instruments at the upper right because they are the switches I always fumbled to find from the cockpit.

The bracket is my radar display swing arm.

Under everything are the switches for the bilge and sump/back up bilge pump.

The main switch turns on both engine/house systems separately/simultaneously or combines the engine battery and the house bank if needed.

[Jim Cozy]

In a thread called "companionway doors" in April, 2011 I posted my remodel of the electrical panel with pics. May be helpful to you.

Jim

[sailn]

  I agree the Blue Sea panels are good, I installed a small one. I also found that, Great Lakes Skipper, has a variety of panels. These seem to be leftovers from boat manufacturers mainly, but you can only get what is there. I even saw a Pearson panel there last year. Just another place to find boat parts, I have purchased opening ports, electrical equipment, pin strips, etc, and have had good luck.