cable wire run recommendations (Smart Gauge Balmar) (cut28)

[Cutwater28GG]

Hi I have purchased a balmar smartgauge that I am trying to install.

my ideal location is above the battery switches as there is a spot free.

I have a few questions

1. how does this panel remove? There is a panel underneath that is screwed underneath but I dont see mounting screws for the panel that has the switches (solar, inverter, battery's etc). these panels are normally hinged on sailboats.

2. is there a recommended wiring run route from the battery box to the panel area? should I go underneath the icebox or and then under the oven (sounds like a nightmare) or instead hop over into the engine bay and route around the engine bay at the bow end of the engine and into the panel from that side?

If I cant get it to fit by the battery switches my other option is the helm area. Is the main forward/aft wire run behind the head board or in the conduit by the ceiling in the second cave berth?

any tips from others who have done the install?

thanks very much!!

 

[stwendl]

The panels in recent model years use bezels above and below to cover up the screws that old the entire panel to the wall

Go to the panel manufacturer website and look for your panel type and download the installation instructions which describe how they are mounted. Gently pry those covers off so not to mar them

 

[Red Raven]

I don't have a Cutwater 28 or a Balmar Smartgauge. I did add a Xantrex LinkLite battery monitor to our R27 however. This is a similar situation though the wire routing is considerably different in the R 27.

The main thing I have to offer here is to not be constrained by where the other gauges are. For example, for monitoring the house battery, I see no reason to put it near the helm. You really don't care when you are under way. You are more likely to care late at night before bed and in the morning when you wake up. For us that meant any easily visible location anywhere in the cabin and the shorter the wire run the easier the install.

I chose to put the gauge under the shelf at the back of the cave. It is up fairly high so I don't have to bend over to read it and it was really easy to route the wire to. I made a simple teak bezel to mount it in though this could be done in other materials.

Here is a photo.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

thanks for the tips !