It's homemade, not factory, looks like the trim tab wires go to it. See if the bundle of wires are the same at the board and at the trim tab pump. Or just be brave and flip a switch and see what happens. Or, ask the previous owner if you can.
Good luck, Ed

It is homade and the relays would indicate that there is at least two A relays so significant amperagae is involved.
Trim tabs maybe. I am more concerned about the lack of USCG part 162 certification for ignition protected circuits in the bilge.

safe boating,
dave

Norm,

Your right on about where its at, in the access compartment behind the helm; as you probably already know on these 28ft's not much room and is in the head. As far as the bilge goes , i put 2 new pumps and float switchs and new wireing in a protective sleeve, didn't see any traces of this wiring. I dont use my bilge switch on my helm panel, think its kapoot. Everything on my panel works except the panel lighting. Removing this will be a nightmare, will most likely need a good marine sparky. Should have done that back in March when i had the cabin gutted. Like i said before , she had a good 1-1/2 FT. of water in the cabin
This past month i've redone the head but am thinking of taking back out counter,cabint and head and removing the wall behind the helm & make a bigger access . Would like to put in a new terminal block or upgrade, this one looks like it has seen its days.
Going up today to check my cabin and engine compartment heat. going to be pretty cold this week. Think i'll try to trace the wires again. Might take a pic if i find out wear it goes. Not to many people here to talk to ,even at the marina, they bring them in from Ktown. Sorry i went on so long !

Mark

Hi Mark,

I have some thoughts on your discovery. The IC looks like it could be a ne555 which is used as a timer from Milleseconds to hours, judging by the components surrounding it , the big fat capacitor may have it's cycle time in seconds or minutes. The 555 timer has a healthy output which can drive 2 relays easily and control 2 higher current circuits interlocked by the 2 switches. One could flash a light or 2, or cycle bilge pumps periodically if there is a known leak to be looked after. That socket used probably has lots of corrosion so the circuit may not be working, partially remove the chip and rock it to disturb the contacts. If you can trace the 4 wires shown at the bottom of the board you'll have the answer. Those wires are not big enough for more than 5 amps so I do not suspect trim tab pump controls. I made similar "breadboards" for alternator and other electric needs in the past decades.

Kenny

Thanks Kenny ,

I take in all the info i can. I'm pretty sure too that its not to my trim tab HPU because i replaced it when i had her out of the water a few months ago. I removed the 6 way to inspect the wires. You can bet i'll get to the end of it and learn something . Took the head back out today so i can get up close and personal. Am going to put a BIGGER access door in. I'm not too bad on the basic AC/DC but without a schematic for the helm going to need so help. Electrical not my forte so i'll make it a SCOBBY DOO MYSTERY.

T.N.X. Mark
trash66

ComputerJOE,

Not going to get back down to the boat untill Monday. I'll give you a for sure anwser on the big wires, but i think it's just mounted there. Hopefully were the small ones go to.

Mark

They look like wire wound resisters to me.
Still you have to root around and see what it is conected to. The bundle of wires below it look like the trim tab wires to me, but they may be just there and not connected to the board. I think we all agree that it is a add on assembled on a breadboard, added by a previous owner, and not from the factory.

Bottom pic is where the small wires go. Need to pull that bilge switch on the helm. Like was mentioned

mark

.."Don't know why they would be independently adjustable."

Why not? The wipers are on separate switches already, right?

Jeff