AC/DC panels inside the cabin on 28tE

[Dixon]

How do I get to the back of the panels? I’d like to check connections, use a blank breaker, and install some accessory gauges and see no easy way in. See picture attached. I’ve seen a few posts on this but did not see an answer I could figure out. Thank!.

[Nancy]

Turn off batteries. Turn off and unplug 110 power. Take out the screws in the four corners. Voila!

[catalina_mike]

The wires are long enough to have the panel come out to inspect.

[Dixon]

Thanks for the responses. So if I want to drill a hole to add an accessory on that wall near or under the panel, My only access is thru the ac/dc panel to secure the new device from the inside? I’d like to add an amp meter, like xantrax, to monitor house battery status when anchored out. By the way that xantrax inverter control you see mounted there now is a dead item. The previous owner added a new 2000 watt inverter with a control near the helm, and just left that old control as dead. It’s got to come out. Also does anyone know what a vacumn generator is? I have a breaker for that you can see on the dc side of the panel it seems to do nothing but I don’t know what it’s supposed to do! . Longtime sailor - never knew I needed a vacumn generator! Thanks.

[Dixon]

One of the posts I saw on this forum seemed to suggest that the entire wall panel which the ac/dc panel is mounted to somehow comes out, but it seems so nicely fitted together I’d be reluctant to start prying at it without knowing what I’m doing. On my old boat it was a simple matter….the wall the panels were mounted to was hinged and easily swung down.

[catalina_mike]

The vacuum generator is probably for a vacuflush toilet.

[Dixon]

Vacum. Thats probably it! I have the jabsco manual head.

[RobS]

Well, there is one other way to access that space behind the breaker panel:
https://www.albinowners.net/aog/viewtopic.php?t=1419

[Nancy]

Well, there is one other way to access that space behind the breaker panel:
https://www.albinowners.net/aog/viewtopic.php?t=1419

Such a great thread! Thanks for resurrecting it!

[WillieC]

I like the sawzall method. My neighbor tried that on a little remodel he wanted to do in his kitchen which shared a wall with the garage. I got home from work about the time the fire trucks were leaving. That bigazz range wire took a while to trip the breaker.

So yeah. Turn off all sources of power first then let er rip.
(Keep looking. There has to be some screws somewhere, though I have used magnets to hold a panel in place.)

[RobS]

Dave's toolbox at the 2010 CT Rendezvous

P7240142.JPG

[Nancy]

Dave's toolbox at the 2010 CT Rendezvous

[Dixon]

So what I am hearing is the only way to access the space behind the ac/dc panel in the Albin 28te is to either cut a big hole with a sawzall in the fiberglass in back of it at the chart table or unscrew the black ac/dc panel itself from inside the cabin and somehow reach thru that opening to get to other areas in there to install additional gauges, etc? There is no way to somehow to remove the entire fiberglass panel the gauges and panel are screwed in to or maybe come up from underneath thru that vinyl covered piece to get access?

The electronics above the steering wheel at least you can get to the back of them thru the mirror in the head. Thanks, very perplexed on the Albin design in this area! Generally I think the Albin fit out is very clever but this one stumps me for lack of access to an important area.

[catalina_mike]

Four screws thats it.

[Ben423]

There is a lot of wiring behind that panel so you don't want to take a saw to it until you're sure you won't damage any of it. Pull the AC/DC panel off and take a look before you cut.