Where to mount electrical panel

[Deezelcaddy]

I am in the process of planning my total rewire for my 68 overlander and I was wondering where the best place to mount the electrical panel would be? Thanx in advance for any advice

[Glenritas]

In my '69 Tradewind the original power cord came in through the rear bumper compartment up to the main 30 amp breaker box on the street side wall.
From there the Romex went around the rear to the curb side wall where it split for the univolt and went in the wall and up to the ceiling then forward to the front over head compartment to a sub panel with two breakers one for most of the outlets the other for the outside outlet and bath outlet.
My guess is the second breaker would also power the optional a/c.

I my case I added a 3rd breaker to the sub panel for the a/c I added.

In my reconstruction I brought the power in at midship on the street side to a surge protector then down to a new combo 120v/12v panel . This is where the 30a main breaker is. From there I ran the power to the original wiring going into the wall. I also added an outlet for the new charger.

Back at the new panel I used the other breakers in it to power the refer and microwave,
water heater and the charger .

I brought 12v to the new panel from the battery via a maxi fuse. The 12v is then fused for the water heater DSI, the refer, water pump and TV antenna.

I locate the new panel under the oven compartment. BTW I removed all the original appliances and deleted the oven and furnace. I replaced with a stove top , Refer, water heater, microwave and added TV.

I also added a second 30a inlet with surge protector and separate breaker box for a washer and dryer.

I moved the battery to the curbside along with the 12v fuse panel and updated to blade type fuses and 4 maxi fuses.

I replaced all the copper with pex and moved the inlet to the center street side.

I went with a gel battery and smart charger, no out gassing.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Deezelcaddy

I am in the process of planning my total rewire for my 68 overlander and I was wondering where the best place to mount the electrical panel would be? Thanx in advance for any advice

Ergonomically speaking, above waist height so you can access it standing up, preferably without reaching over any built-in furniture to do it. And if you hide it behind a bottom-hinged wooden cover (that possibly is a picture frame when closed), you can use chains to support the sides of the cover (like an old-time pickup tailgate), such that when it's swung open, it forms a convenient working surface to hold tools and such for when you have to work on the electrical panel. And if you mount a small work light or reading light over the electrical panel that's powered by AA batteries (not by your house batteries!), then you will be able to see what you're doing even if the power goes out in the middle of the night.

Maybe I'm not explaining it well. I don't have pictures of what I'm talking about.

I got this idea from a friend's boat, by the way. He had one large panel, 12vDC on one side, 120vAC on the other. Swing down a picture frame, and there's his panel, with a desktop working surface right in front of it. The gooseneck work light on the wall illuminated the picture with the cover closed, and illuminated his electrical panels with the cover open.