New Power Panel
This is one case where I decided to go new rather than restore something. Since I added an anchor light I needed one more switch in my electrical panel. I was having some problems with bad connections that I have been fixing as they occur but it is a safety issue when it happens on the navigation lights so this year I have replaced my whole panel with a new one from Blue Sea.
 
Here is my old panel, original equipment
 I have problems with bad connections and corrosion
 Here is the back of the new power outlet
 My new power panel
 More secure connections and labeled wires
The first step was to trace all the wiring and label each wire coming to the control panel. I then cut everything off and pulled the old panel out. Below is the comparison between old and new panels:
 
  1. Running lights
  2. Steaming light
  3. Cabin lights
  4. Accessories (stereo, depth and knot meters, and power outlet)

 
  1. Running lights
  2. Steaming light
  3. Anchor light
  4. Nav instruments
  5. Cabin lights
  6. Accessories (stereo, panel lights, power outlet

I had to enlarge the hole for the panel and drill a hole for the power outlet. I was surprised at how thick the fiberglass was. The connections are made with crimped connectors which are easier to work with than soldered ones. I wired the panel backlight wire to the accessories switch so that I can turn on the backlight separately. I can turn the stereo off with a switch on it so it does not draw current when I want just the backlight which draws only about 20mA.

This was a very easy project but it helped that I shopped around for a long time to find just the panel I wanted. It looks great and I like the backlight feature. It was also relatively inexpensive, about $70, and easy to install.