Switch panel added to 2015 PA14

I decided to add a switch panel to my PA. I'm going to wire a stern light and some cockpit lights. I swapped out the accessory socket for a USB socket to charge my iPad mini.

_________________

man i have a panel but just can't bring myself to cut into it yet. looks great tho, what all do you run off of it and what size battery you use to push it all?

I wanted a switch panel but didn't really want to cut that large of a hole in my 8 month old PA14. Fortunately it was such a size that it fit almost perfectly into an existing hole. I removed one of the forward horizontal rod holders and put the switch panel in its place. I had to square off the hole a little bit but it as otherwise perfect fit. I rarely used both of the rod tubes, and if I ever get tired of thee switch panel I can remove and slide the tubes right back in.

The switch panel came with 4 switches, accessory plug and volt-meter. I replaced the accessory plug much like you did with usb plugs. If I can figure out how to post pictures, I'll post one of the install.

Jeff

_________________
Jeff
KansasYaker
2014 - Pro Angler - 14 - Upgraded H-Rail Kit

There will be a stern light, LED cockpit lighting (under mounting boards), Vexilar Sonar Phone and USB is for iPad mini. I will use a 12V 9ah battery. I will have a couple extra switches for and future add-ons.

_________________

My setup with red led lights turned on.



White leds



My battery.



I have red and green led navigation lights on the bow, a stern light pole, both red and white led deck lights under both mounting boards and lowrance elite 4-hdi.

I have the battery in a pelican case that I store in the hull on a piece of memory under the seat.

_________________
Jeff
KansasYaker
2014 - Pro Angler - 14 - Upgraded H-Rail Kit

You should get a few hours out of that battery.

_________________

I have to admit that I haven't gotten much use out of the lights yet. Being new to kayak world as of May of last year, most of my time on the water has been in the daylight hours. The lake I fish on has absolutely no lights not even on the boat ramp. I don't want to say that I'm afraid of the dark....but.... Going to make more of an effort to do more night fishing this year once it warms up some especially since most of the fishing I do is for walleye anyways.

The battery wasn't cheap, I think I paid $200, but it only weighs like 2 lbs. Just operating the lowrance for 5 or 6 hours a trip about 4 or 5 times a week, I've never even come close to running it down.

Jeff

_________________
Jeff
KansasYaker
2014 - Pro Angler - 14 - Upgraded H-Rail Kit

Kansas Yaker, where did you order your switch panel from? Like the way it fits the space. Is there a cover for the USB port and is the panel waterproof.

_________________
Just a Kid to the End

I bought them both from Amazon. The switch panel came with an accessory plug that I replaced with the USB outlets. Yes, there is a cover for the USB. It is kind of folded up in my pictures.

Amarine Switch Panel - Says it is currently unavailable on Amazon. I'm sure you can find it somewhere perhaps ebay or maybe a marine dealer online.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWS108O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

USB Charger Socket
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IRJH8CE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Jeff

_________________
Jeff
KansasYaker
2014 - Pro Angler - 14 - Upgraded H-Rail Kit

This one appears to be the same one from a different seller on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/MyBest-Splash-Proof-Toggle-Switch-Voltmeter/dp/B00MDADIPY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_42?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JKN4F2FSCACNENM6RKB

_________________
Jeff
KansasYaker
2014 - Pro Angler - 14 - Upgraded H-Rail Kit

Appreciate the help. Tight lines.

_________________
Just a Kid to the End

I got the LED's fastened under the mounting boards.



They should add a little light.


Vexilar Sonar Phone mounted and wired up.



And the rear all-round pole light wired and mounted...just need a flag.

_________________

Very clean install.

Your light pole looks pretty tall. You might be able to use it as a flag pole. Looks like that thing folds down too. If so, do you fold it down for transport?

_________________
Jeff
KansasYaker
2014 - Pro Angler - 14 - Upgraded H-Rail Kit

Yes, it doubles as my flag pole as well, I just haven't added the flag yet.

The pole is actually removable for transport... I've added wire connector so I can disconnect it.

_________________

Reviving an old thread here. Just want to say thanks to Mtmouse and others for the direction here. I pretty much copied the hatch install design. I decided not to cut the bucket and just do the permanent switch install (might change this). I also mounted a fuse box (blue sea 5025) with grounding posts on the underside/bottom of the bucket. I got the new Nocqua 10ah pro power kit so I just installed a grommet in the bottom of the bucket and ran the power to the fuse block. I opted for led strips for the white light that I covered in epoxy to waterproof and I installed a single submersible red led trailer light from HF. I hope to add a stern light at some point also.