Sea ray gauge replacement. Please assist!!!

[kickinwingdb]

Hey all,

I'm new to the site and need some serious help. I am currently in the process of restoring a sea ray signature 180 bow rider. A few of the gauges on the dash are either broken and are scratched to where you can barely read them. I would like to replace all gauges in the dash but I do not know where to start. Will I need to purchase all new senders for the replacement gauges? Also should I buy marine manufactured gauges, or will any aftermarket gauge set do the trick? Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am clueless.

Thanks,
Kickinwing

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Sea ray gauge replacement. Please assist!!!

You need marine quality gauges -- period. Auto style gauges are not very moisture resistant and require very different senders that you currently have. All we know is you have a bowrider. Is this boat outboard or I/O powered. If I/O, then you need a set of I/O gauges. If it's outboard powered, then you need a set of gauges that measure the same things you currently have. For example, I/O engines have OIL PRESSURE gauges. Two stroke outboards do not. Outboards don't typically have WATER TEMPERATURE gauges but I/O's do. Outboards may have a single gauge with multiple gauges built into it (called a multi-function gauge). So why don't you post a list of the gauges you have (speedometer, tach, voltmeter, fuel, trim, etc) and what engine/drive you have (make and model). The trim sender tends to be engine-specific so you need to make sure the trim gauge you buy is compatible with the engine you have. And when you figure out what you need, get them right here on IBOATS.

 

[britisher]

Re: Sea ray gauge replacement. Please assist!!!

If you're restoring then you probably have money going out faster than it's coming. Been there last year on my SR 180 BR. I had an oil pressure gauge that had pegged at max and was clearly gone. The SR gauges have the SR logo on them and I didn't want to lose that if I could. I managed to find through Ebay a supplier that had a brand new gauge of my vintage (1989). These are folks who get old stock from dealers, etc and resell it. They dealt with my purchase promptly and the item was jsut as described and has worked flawlessly. I have a complet set of SR gauges. That said, if they are weatherbeaten, then they are likely past their sell by date and new set is probably the best route. Google is the best starting point IMHO. I have not been disappointed by Ebay and I have several online marine suppliers including IBoats. At the end of the day when it's comparing apples to apples, price wins and leaves a little spare for the other resto stuff you'll surely need. Good luck

 

[kickinwingdb]

Re: Sea ray gauge replacement. Please assist!!!

Thanks for the help guys. Should've came to this site from the start!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Sea ray gauge replacement. Please assist!!!

the senders should be compatible to a number of gauges, but you should take a look at the back of your current gauges, etc to see if you can ID the manufacturer.

Faria and Teleflex are common brands of gauges. VDO brand tend to use their own set of senders, so unless you know that the original ones were VDO, don't go there. As stated, get the marine version of the gauges, but many online automotive performance web sites will sell marine stuff.

Here are some links to give you some ideas . . .

http://www.searay-parts.com/Gauge-s/36.htm

http://www.oldboatgauges.com/searay.html

 

[jthor3277]

Re: Sea ray gauge replacement. Please assist!!!

I'd try iBoats or Great Lakes Skipper as there are a ton of different ones. I just restored my '94 Sea Ray dash with Teleflex Driftwood series gauges and it came out way better than expected. You need Marine gauges as silvertip said. About your sending units, you'll find that out when you install the new gauges and run things. If you're restoring the boat then I'd take a closer look at things. Water temp and oil pressure are really important to make sure they are operating normally! based off the condition of the gauges your wiring/ connectors should be looked at closely as well. Best of luck.