Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: Buddy Gold on August 12, 2020, 03:15:10 PM

Title: Thinking about installing digital guages
Post by: Buddy Gold on August 12, 2020, 03:15:10 PM
Has anyone replaced their gauge panel with digital instruments. Does anyone make digital instruments that fit the existing holes.
Title: Re: Thinking about installing digital guages
Post by: KWKloeber on August 12, 2020, 04:19:34 PM
BG

I've looked at digital tachs and sure I saw other gauges in the standard round size. I don't have the links any longer but a google or Scamazon search should pop them up.  You might also try the performance sites like summit racing
Title: Re: Thinking about installing digital guages
Post by: KWKloeber on August 12, 2020, 05:09:50 PM
https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/gauges-digital?ibanner=SREPD4
Title: Re: Thinking about installing digital guages
Post by: Jim Lucas on August 13, 2020, 09:55:12 AM
I'd be interested to see how this might turn out. Please keep us posted.
Title: Re: Thinking about installing digital guages
Post by: scgunner on August 18, 2020, 07:56:08 AM
Buddy,

Why do you want to switch from analog to digital? I have some digital instruments on my boat but they're down below. One thing I've noted is that when the sunlight is coming in at the right angle digital gauges are impossible to read, that might be problematic with gauges in the cockpit.
Title: Re: Thinking about installing digital guages
Post by: Roc on August 18, 2020, 01:58:25 PM
With all the systems on the boat, some things are best to be kept simple.  This is something where keeping it simple and staying with analog might be the best approach.
Title: Re: Thinking about installing digital guages
Post by: Ron Hill on August 18, 2020, 03:06:24 PM
Buddy : Not too sure what you are going to gain, by spending Boat$$ on digital instruments??

The only advantage of digital over analog on the boat I can think of is in the radio tuning!!

Do you really care if you are running @ 2155 rpm or 2167rpm??? or your engine temp is 158 vrs 162 degrees???

A few thoughts
Title: Re: Thinking about installing digital guages
Post by: Buddy Gold on August 19, 2020, 04:29:45 PM
The boat I just bought has a tach that is out of calibration. I see that new tach's can be adjusted by a screw in the back but I think this one is original.  I was thinking that before I go thru all the trouble of pulling it out to see if this one is adjustable I would see what my options are.

There have been some very valid points made so far about not changing.
Title: Re: Thinking about installing digital guages
Post by: Noah on August 19, 2020, 04:52:57 PM
Once you check with a handheld tach and know what the true readings are at various RPMs, instead of adjusting your built in tach, you could just make a "correction table/chart" showing the calibrated RPMs against built-in tach's display at various intervals for you to reference underway, or just be aware of how much off it is. I have found the actual RPM number is kind of irrelevant anyway and operate based upon sound and vibration.
Title: Re: Thinking about installing digital guages
Post by: Ron Hill on August 20, 2020, 09:10:22 AM
Buddy : You haven't stated your C34 production year. 
If you have a MK I with the older tach - I wrote an article in the Mainsheet tech notes on how to select and change the dip switches on the back of the instrument. I mention a formula that you use to determine the "Up or Down" of each switch. 

That way you can get into the general ball park of the correct RPM.  Then you can use a Digital Tach to get the exact and make youself a chart  i.e  Gage says___ Actual reading___ for 1200, 1500, 1800, 2000 rpm!!   :thumb:

A few thoughts