Gauges

[brunowren]

I cant get any of my gauges to work on my 75 Tropicana 18' tri hull w/ merc 120 except the tach and amp gauges... <br /><br />Would it be ok just to throw in a set of auto gauges for temp / oil press until I order a full new set of marine gauges??.... <br /><br />And I cant find any kind of fuse panel on the boat so without having to mess with the factory wiring where can I get a switched (key on) power source.. I read somewhere not to attach anything to the ignition<br /><br /><br />THanks

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Gauges

Actually most boats are wired to run their gauges off the ignition switch. Most likely auto gauges won't work unless they happen to match the sending units on your boat. Some manufactures use different resistance requirements so you need yours to match or you'll get false readings. Check on the back of the existing gauges for info.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Gauges

Very often older gauges and sending units are no longer available. $$ is always more than a new unit. Get a simple dash gauge wiring diagram from any boat and wire it up. Spliced wires? Do a complete rewire. Save time and money by not having strange shorts from moving old worn out wires.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Gauges

You need a fuse or a cicuit breaker panel. Are you a IB or OB? There were battery boxes that had a fuse or CB panel in them.

 

[brunowren]

Re: Gauges

It's 75 Tropicana i/o with a merc 120 I was going to add new temp and oil gauges with new sending units and all new wires up to dash.. as a temp fix until I get all new Marine Gauges