Main Switch Panel Rewire
Replacing the bird's nest behind the main switch panel with proper WAGO connectors and circuit fuses - our very first improvement when we bought Lagertha in 2021.
The Bird's Nest
When we bought Lagertha in 2021, one of the first things that had to go was the electrical chaos behind the main switch panel. Decades of additions, repairs, and "I'll just tap into this wire" had created a proper bird's nest - tangled red wires, corroded chocolate block connectors, and no proper fusing to speak of.
Some of the existing chocolate block connectors showed signs of melting, which was a clear warning: inadequate fusing and improper current planning. If a connector melts, it means too much current was flowing through a circuit that had no proper protection. On a boat, that's not just inconvenient - it's dangerous.
What We Did
- Ripped out the old chocolate block connectors and replaced them with WAGO lever connectors - reliable, tool-free, and properly rated
- Added proper circuit fuses where there had been none, ensuring every circuit is protected at the right current rating
- Took the opportunity to audit everything - traced every wire, identified every circuit, and documented what connects where. This audit became our electrical reference for all future work
A Stepping Stone
This rewire was always intended as a temporary measure - a way to make the electrical system safe and documented while we planned the final solution. The proper panel upgrade came later, but this first step was essential: it made the boat electrically safe and gave us the knowledge base to plan the full refit properly.
