Help Identifying Electrical Doodad

[adt2]

I plan on installing a small piece of gear tomorrow and it'll be my first electronic addition to the boat. I need a 12v source, and I'm assuming since I have several DOA bits of kit in the upper dash at the lower helm that I have some 12v sources to choose from.

I *think* this yellow block inside the upper dash is a DC distribution panel. Can anyone confirm what I'm looking at?

 

[adt2]

FWIW...I put my multimeter on several pairs of the terminals and I get nada. Not sure if that's a multimeter error, user error, or what...but it's late and I'm out of energy and patience. Will move it to tomorrow's list.

 

[Captain Ralph]

That is not factory.

Do you have a 32V boat??
32v to 12v converters may be behind/under the lower helm.

 

[adt2]

Yes, as far as I know the boat is 32v. Not actually sure how I’d verify that though.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Yes, as far as I know the boat is 32v. Not actually sure how I’d verify that though.

4 x 8v batteries in series down below makes 32v.
8v batteries will have 4 fill caps, 12v batteries will have 6 fill caps.

Don't forget to keep electrolyte levels up on the batteries.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Yes, as far as I know the boat is 32v. Not actually sure how I’d verify that though.

Would you have a factory print set?

Rumor has it: The last Hatterass support guy may not be available after years end.
Get with C D Piner quickly to order your prints.
You will need your hull number.

C.D. Piner
252-634-4867

Please let me know if this phone number is still direct.

 

[Pascal]

Unfortunately the original blue prints are often useless since these boats have been modified in the last 30 to 50 years with stuff added and removed

It looks like a DC terminal strip but you ll have to test the voltages, it could be 32 or 24 or 12 volts. Try taking readings starting with red/black pairs. Or red/white. Or who knows… you can also put the meter black probe on a known DC negative and just probe each terminal on the strip.