Dashboard work this winter

LivinnSadley · **Joined:** Tue May 29, 2012 12:47 pm **Posts:** 38

Hello All, Seems fairly quiet here during the winter months. Happy new year. Hunting season has ended here in Mass I am starting to look forward to summer and boating season. As I look out the window and watch the snow accumulate on my boat cover I am thinking of my upgrades and fixes on my list for 2014.

Has anyone done any bench testing of sensors, sending units, or gauges? I have several gauges that currently do not work and others I just don't trust. I just picked up a multimeter at my local auto parts store and would like to give it a try but am not sure of the best way to do it. Can they be tested on a bench or do they need to be hooked up to the boat? I do not want to work under the tarp in 10 degree weather.

My gauges consist of speed, tach, volts, temp, trim, fuel, oil PSI

Can you bench test sending units? Sensors? I'm sure there are a bunch that I can't even list or know what they do...

Any info would help, and posiibly cure winter bordom.

Thank you in advance, Corey

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:25 pm

If you're rocking 1994 gauges there's no reason to bother a test bench. They're bad. Faria and others make gauge kits that have everything you need. I did it to my H180. Easy and rewarding for a nice modern look.

Surface Interval · **Posted:** Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:50 pm

Gages and sending units generally can be bench tested. The big question is what meter readings are within manufacturer's specifications. A word of caution: some delicate electronics may be harmed by just the current from an ohm meter. Having said that, you may be able to trace down manufacturer's specs for some of the components. The internet has some amazing info, and a lot of worthless info too. With others you may be able to determine if the gage or sensor is functioning without having specs. Your testing may not be completely accurate, but you may be able to eliminate some components during your troubleshooting. You didn't mention the type of boat, but keep in mind that fiberglass boats require a grounding system. It sometimes helps to run an additional ground wire from the negative terminal of the battery to the bus bar, and make sure that all hot and ground connections are good.

Keep in mind that if you can not fix it with a hammer, it must be an electrical problem. :wink:

But then again, Some electrical problems can be corrected with the use of a hammer.........and a trip to the parts store.

LivinnSadley · **Joined:** Tue May 29, 2012 12:47 pm **Posts:** 38

Thanks for the info. I will probibly go ahead and buy the Faria set anyways. I like the Chesapeake SS set. I'm sort of a newbie to working on boats so as much as I am trying to get my boat to run correctly I am also trying to learn how to work through issues the dirty way. As soon as this Polar Vortex B.S. is over and the temps get back to above freezing on a regular basis I am going to get under the tarp and get to the dash.

I will document my efforts and get you some before and after pictures.

Has anyone attemped to pull the whole console in a '93's era Sundownder? I want to refinish the top grey part of the dash and also refinish the faceplate before I put in the new gauges. It seems to me that the top grey part that is designed to block the sun is made of foam and may be brittle do to its age. I wonder if Four Winns sells replacements?

Cheers,

Corey

Walt · **Posted:** Wed Jan 29, 2014 4:13 pm

Check the gage manuf's website. I know Faria has a values table on there's and I believe the senders would be the same from one manuf to another. Definitely worth the time. Then again, a new gage set, with a cool new carbon-fiber looking vinyl back could be worth the money too.

www.iFourWinns.com

Dashboard work this winter

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