12V panel shot.Help please!

[solar]

Hi,
5 weeks ago when left my 2008 38 cruiser I disconnected shore power & batteries .all was well.
Yesterday when returned to boat I found that the 12V part of the panel is not working.found 2 fuses (shower & nav) blown ,new fuses also burned when inserted and a few indication lights on the panel were on constantly...
A local electrician came and said that it may be a lightning strike damage?
VHF is working ,battery charger too ,but nothing else.the 220V part is fine.
Bavaria dealer on phone say the panel is unrepairable and must order a new one?they couldn't tell price & availability till Monday.
I feel that our vacation is gone.
What do you think? Where do I go from here?
Anyone had this strange problem? How much should a new one cost?
Thanks for any input.

[Stuart]

Hi Solar sorry to hear about your predicament, have you called your insurance agent ? might be that this may all be covered, the only down side is finding out that if it was a lightning strike, what else has been affected. Good luck and keep us up to date on how things are going.

[solar]

Sure,insurance was notified,no reply yet but with 1500 euros self payment for claim it will still burn a nice hole in  one"s pocket.No way to know total damage until 12V power will be restored.Will know more on Monday.No one had a problem like mine? 

[solar]

Short update...
A new 301 panel cost 756 euros.
Ofcorse the local NL dealership don't have one in stock.
Bavaria is on holiday from today till 22/8....little chance to get the part from them and only if t h e y have it in stock...
will know more in a few days.
Anyone share my wonder why sailing businesses are on  holyday or very short crew during the short sailing season and why even b i g dealeships don't have a reasonable stock of spare parts?
Grrrrrrrrr..... 

[tiger79]

Like many businesses in mainland Europe, Bavaria shuts down for most of August. I'm experiencing big problems because of it, too. Fortunately, mine's a warranty issue.

[paulemeier1]

maybe you can get one from the manufacture?

http://www.we-online.de/web/de/wuerth_elektronik/start.php

[solar]

Thanks,I'm trying that path too,so far no reply.

[solar]

Another short update:
It's almost October but still waiting since early August for the new 301 12v panel from Bavaria!
I may have one by mid NOVEMBER they say....
THIS is the fine & fast service we get for our money,almost unbelievable but true.
Also will need a new depth  controller.
A new complite RayMarine A/P + controller.
A new VHF antenna.
Some burned gelcoat repairs on deck from melted antenna pieces.
The VP rev/charge screen is still acting crazy,maybe will need replacement.
My Webasto heater still not working,who knows if repairable.
The list may be longer after the new 12v panel will be connected at last.
ALL that +installation/work  fees.
Looks like a very expensive lightning strike...beware!
My insurer will love me!
 

[Stuart]

Hi Solar

Could you use one of the DC panels from Blue Seas systems ? Great products and good service, from my experience.

[solar]

How could I?
I need it to match the old panel's dimensions & electrical connections.
So I'm looking for the original replacement,Wurth makes them for Bav.
The sad joke is that both Bav or the many dealerships I tried have ANY at stock!

[paulemeier1]

ou can buy one here:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/D76-BAVARIA-YACHTS-tableau-elecrique-Wurth-panel-303-/170828634902

[solar]

Thanks!