Re: Refurbush Dashboard
New helm, with panels, installed. No gauges yet, we haven't decided on style/engine yet. I have a 200 Suz but it needs a rebuild. If I rebuild it'll be Suz style gauges. If I get OMC, or Merc, it'll be those style gauges.
I cut the original West Marine switch panel in half. I really like being able to check voltage without turning key on. Just one of my things. Plus, the way I have it wired it'll check which ever battery I'm using for house power while at anchor whereas the engine voltmeter will only show what it's attached to or charging. This panel will also get a water-resistant push button when I get to it.
The white behind the gauges holes is a sheet of round computer labels I used to label wires. The wife had them sitting around her 'puter and I put them to work. I had the back of the helm back on by this picture and it was dark enough in there that you couldn't see the gauge cutouts. Hence, the white background. BTW, test fitted my old gauges, everything is fine.
Planned gauges are tach, speedo, trim, and volts. I don't know yet if I'm going to go with an on helm gas gauge. I have a gauge, it's just on the built-in tank behind an inspection cover. Because I don't have an electric fuel gauge, and do have an outboard, I don't need a blower yet. If I put a helm fuel gauge, I also have to install a blower. I think.
The blank space towards the upper left is where I will install the Suz engine check gauge if I stay with the Suz, and the fuel gauge if I go with one.
As for labels, the 6 switch panel on the right came from Bass Pro, not the highest quality but it's a Doofer. One thing, it had unfinished edges, no paint, and a crappy, sticky, piece of plastic over the face paint. The plastic DOES NOT come off easily around the switches, LEDs, and breakers. Be prepared to spend a bit of time with tweezers picking all the little bits of plastic away.
I set up my new wiring schematic to match the labels on the panel, with only one change, then used the extra HORN label out of the package for the water-resistant red button. The one marked HORN. There's plenty of other labels in the package but most are the same as what's on the panel.
As of today, the bottom two switches are not used. But, I just bought a new binnacle yesterday and the fifth switch down will be to turn the binnacle and gauge lights on and off. Yes, most of the time you'd want your gauge lights on while the running lights are on. But, there might be that one time you really want to enjoy the night sky but don't want to turn your running lights off. Just one of my things.