Hi Group,
The ignition switch on the standard 1980’s Nonsuch cockpit instrument panel has melted (literally). The mechanic is having dificulty finding a replacement and can’t do any more diagnostics without it. He’s off checking with colleagues and diesel truck service places looking for a match. If anyone can offer advice I would be most grateful.
Alan Steward
30C #144 MagnifiCat
The panels come with whatever engine is installed. Assuming that you have a W27 engine, it’s available as a Westerbeke part. Also, some panels just have an off/on and others have the glow plug push-in type.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
I have often wondered why there is an ignition key switch. When ours finally goes out it will be replaced with a simple toggle switch. I don’t think that anyone is going to steal the boat with the cabin locked and the battery switch off.
Tim in STL
White O’morn NS26U
Harbor Point Yacht Club
West Alton, MO
I got tired of having to press in the ignition switch key for gloplug and wired a nice big
push button in parallel.
Dick Land
NS26c Swoose
Port Townsend.
It’s a whole lot harder to by-pass the switch then it is to cut the lock. Of course, I’m sure we all hide the key somewhere – don’t we?? BTW, you’d have to have an off-on-glow plug toggle switch if it’s wired that way.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Our 1986 26U has two separate buttons in addition to the ignition switch, one button for glow plugs and one for the starter. The ignition switch is just a single throw switch.
Tim in STL
White O’morn NS26U
Harbor Point Yacht Club
West Alton, MO
Exactly the same on my ‘88 NS 30 U
Fred Rachwitz
Concerto NS 30U #445
Harbor Springs, Michigan
Northern Lake Michigan
There are at least 3-4 different panels used for Westerbekes. I found that going to the W web site, they have a price list for many, many part numbers. I bought my three position (on-press for glow-start) switch from this site for $70, about $70 or so less than at Hansen Marine. Sorry, no help for those needing it now! Never having been successful at working Plexiglas, I also bought a panel cover for $25, saving time and much stress.
Carl Linkinhoker
NS26C, 146, Break of Day
Mayfield, NewYork
A few years ago my ignition switch failed. Our boat has a Westerbeke 3 cylinder 22 hp diesel with the factory panel and (had) the factory key switch.The spring in the key switch failed to return from start to run position and left the starter motor on after we started - which I didn’t hear due to sound of engine running. This caused an electrical fire, lots of smoke and stink and a meltdown of the wiring from starter to main battery switch including the battery switch - which became a freeform sculpture of molten plastic around brass. And it fried the start motor.
I decided to do away with the multi-position key switch and installed a simple toggle for ignition on and off where the key was (the buzzer goes as soon as its switched on so you know it’s on). I also installed two separate momentary contact switches under the stbd. lazarette hatch: for starter motor, and for glow plugs. This has worked very well. I advised this group about this incident shortly after it happened, as a caution that the multi-position key switch can fail this way, and I have heard similar reports from other Westerbeke owners since then. I have also heard lots of lost and broken key stories, so I am sold on having a toggle switch instead of a key. If the battery is switched off in the cabin, and the cabin locked, the ignition is securely off. On the other hand, if you are not worried about theft, and leave your battery on, it is a comfort to know a Good Samaritan can start your untended boat to move it if necessary.
Adapting this wiring to the contact switches was more complicated that I thought, required some trials and errors. If you are not willing to explore your panel wiring and experiment with it I’d suggest hiring a qualified technician to do this conversion. In the end, I had a friend who was a retired marine engineer sit in the boat to counsel me while I wiggled in the tight spaces with wires and alligator clips and a multimeter, and we got it right within a few hours.
I’ve attached two pics of how it looked during install. The switches are labelled now, wiring has been cleaned up, batteries secured… And the autopilot head has been relocated to the binnacle.
Meanwhile, we are having a great summer of sailing this year, our Nonsuch is on the hard but we have our newly refurbished Niagara 35 (a close cousin) out for serious sea trials this year, and we are enjoying her
Greg Silver
Misty Cat 26C #121 &
No Rush II, Niagara 35C #86
St. Peter’s, Cape Breton
That’s in Nova Scotia
