small pushbutton thermal breaker opinion question

[artificialreef]

Hello all, i am restoring an older boat. The dash has about 10 of those small cheap plastic thermal pushbutton breakers on them that a couple of the plastic retainer nuts broke when i removed the cover panel on the dash. I purchased a dozen more robust looking ones from this site. Seadog brand that has a metal threaded area rather than the cheap plastic. The problem is when i went to install them the hole is 3/8 and the new breaker requires 1/2 inch. My questions are for your opinions on.
1. Since these look to be much better quality, should i just drill out the holes (looks like clearance is not an issue)and install the higher quality? I hate to butcher my dash and change from stock but the old ones look to be not so stout.
2. The specs on the new breaker says stamped brass pn# 420820-1 but it looks chromed. Is the stamped brass internal or something? I would hate to drill all my breakers out to watch these new ones rust out. That would p me off.
3. Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes these with a metal shaft like seadog but in with a 3/8 shaft so i dont have to butcher my dash? Seadog does not appear to have the smaller shaft.

Thank you for your opinions folks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: small pushbutton thermal breaker opinion question

Ayuh,.... 1/2" holes for mountin' is pretty much the Industry Standard, 'n has been for quite a few years,...

My guess is, the stuff ya got is chrome plated Brass... it's quite common...

 

[Don S]

Re: small pushbutton thermal breaker opinion question

Might want to look into the Bluesea brand of breakers Push Button Reset-Only Thermal Circuit Breakers?—?Blue Sea Systems they have 3/8" threads and would fit the existing holes. Blueseas also makes top quality items in my experience. You have both screw type and spade wire connections.

iboats does carry their parts, just get the part number from the Bluesea site and see if iboats carries it.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: small pushbutton thermal breaker opinion question

Just a follow up post to this question. called the bluesea mfg after seeing a pic of it. It had the plastic threaded poke through thing. I found one made by NT-electronics, it is metal but i dont think is marine. I think ill stick with marine and get to drillin. Just a comment about this boat. I have always read that Tiara/Pursuit were decent boats. This thing is built like a tank but the fit and finish kind of took me aback a little bit. When i removed the screws supposedly holding the dash cover on i found on both (it has twin motors) that the holes they cut out for the business side of the switches was too large and a couple of screws on both (4 screws each)were not screwed into anything. Not real good at keeping water out that way. I am going to fill it in a little bit and glass it and add a homemade gasket around the whole thing. Just an observation, I think they are making them alot nicer now. Hope they have better electronics and router guys presently. Most folks dont get a chance to see the business side. Wiring is part of my job title and i dress and organize my wire runs. This wire job is weak.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: small pushbutton thermal breaker opinion question

Oh yeah, i am using the tinned marine wire for any i am replacing. I am seeing stock this Tiara isnt using it. Did they have the tinned wire in 83?

 

[Don S]

Re: small pushbutton thermal breaker opinion question

What's wrong with the plastic marine ones. The Blueseas are not just plastic like a model airplane, they are the type of plastic used for circuit breakers in houses. Bakeilite (sp) I believe is what it's called.

The plastic doesn't rust or corrode, and they don't really get a lot of hard use.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: small pushbutton thermal breaker opinion question

I'm with DonS and Bubba, upgrade to better circuit breakers, whether it be the BlueSeas or Paneltronics. Seadog isn't known the be the best quality brand and while it might work fine initially, you'll find out how good their products are several years down the road, after they have been exposed to the elements.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: small pushbutton thermal breaker opinion question

Dont want to use the plastic because from the looks of it, the way this dash is connected i think i will be pulling it off quite often. Just from lifting it up; the wiring was so tight and chaotic a couple of spade clips came off and some broke (had to reterminate some new connectors). A couple of wires are so banjo tight they had to come off to open it up. I am heat shrinking and splicing longer wires and trying to clean it up a bit but i think this being a 30 year old boat with goofy wiring i should go with the metal stems.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: small pushbutton thermal breaker opinion question

Fishr Dan, they look stonger and better made than the plastic ones. Do you have any history with the Seadog brand? Please let me know before i drill and install these. I got these from this site.

Thank you.