I am looking at refurbishing my gauge panel. I have looked thru the site and see the options for the panel itself however I do not see where anyone has disassembled the gauges for cleaning. Just checking to see if anyone has. I have done it on my TR6 and it was fairly easy. I am just wondering if their would be anything different for the marine environment, not that the triumph doesn't have a leak or two.
Glenn,
Your TR6 doesn't have sealed marine gauges. My Austin-Healey is the same, a slight twist of the bezel and you can remove glass and bezel for cleaning. In the marine environment Smith's gauges would last very long. I've never had a problem with the inside of my cockpit gauges getting dirty. I just wipe the outside dials and I'm good to go. If your gauges are really dirty inside you can always replace them. You can get the exact replacement at West Marine, it's a simple swap and they're not very expensive.
I emailed,https://www.dmpautomation.com/, Last night on a recommendation from Ken on a thread about replacing the engine panel. I asked them if they had a panel for my boat. Today, Saturday I got a return call from Steve. He said if I send the old panel they can make a new one for less than CD. He also said they can add lettering, do any color and add for example USB port. He also said they can make main electric panels. He was very friendly and knowledgeable about catalinas as he races his catalina 30. I think I am going to try them. I will update this topic with pictures as I progress.
Glenn : I replaced (from Seaward) my panel from the old silver to the new white years ago.
The only problem that I've ever had with the instruments is that the 194 instrument light bulbs create tooo much heat and screw up the slots at hold the bulbs.
I found that changing to LED "194" replacements solved the problem of heat!! When I did that I also change from the clear to the red bulbs so it's great for night work.
A few thoughts
Ron,
I like the idea of the red led. When you say you got the panel from Seaward, where did you find them? I see the ones from CD but they are not correct for my panel. Also as Noah pointed out they have the CD logo. I searched the internet for Seaward and came up with companies that do not seem to be correct.
Quote from: Ron Hill on November 08, 2020, 12:48:02 PM
Glenn : I replaced (from Seaward) my panel from the old silver to the new white years ago.
The only problem that I've ever had with the instruments is that the 194 instrument light bulbs create tooo much heat and screw up the slots at hold the bulbs.
I found that changing to LED "194" replacements solved the problem of heat!! When I did that I also change from the clear to the red bulbs so it's great for night work.
A few thoughts
i would be interested in learning about what's available for just the panel plate. the one at CD seems overpriced and i don't like that it has their logo splashed across it
As i understand it, you can get both the CDirect logo or the Catalina logo. I think it just costs a wee more for the catalina one. I also recall in my searches that the panel sans gauges is also available.
I stand corrected... it appears the faceplate only has the Cdirect logo. However, you can get the fully wired panel with instruments with either logo. You might try calling them to see if it is available without the gauges. They have more available than is listed on the site.
Glenn : I would suspect that any plastics company that can make and scribe plastic plates could make a new panel for you - given the measurements. It would be without the Catalina logo.
There was a guy named Dennis that worked for Seaward who might know of a source for a new Catalina Engine panel with out instruments
his Email was "DIGARASHI@Earthlink.net" [(626)374-6422]
You can see if that old address/telephone # is still good? and let us all know!!
A few thoughts
I may go down to the boat tomorrow. I am planning on removing the panel and gauges. Does anyone know if there is any power going to the engine panel that bypasses the battery selector switch? Trying not to disconnect the batteries.
Seaward Products was sold in 2012 and the new owners cut back on selling things direct to consumers. Dennis continued to be able to provide a selection of former Catalina electrical panels and engine panels for all of the Catalina models. I don't know if he still works there or if he can still sell these panels if he does. The last time I know of someone buying a panel was in 2016. My last telephone number for Dennis was 626-374-6422.
Glenn,
You shouldn't have any power to the panel when you switch off the batteries, unless of course a PO did some kind of work around. You can pull the panel out and put a test light on the backside wiring to make sure, in any case you're only dealing with 12v which is also fused.
So now it looks like you're going from gauge lens cleaning to full on panel replacement, I'd say that's jumping in with both feet.
Removed the panel today. The three smaller gauges are broken where the light attaches. My alarm/buzzer is missing although it works when I start the engine. I just cannot find it. I did not realize it was not plugged into the back of the panel. I reached and felt around in the panel hole but could not find it. The sun was at an angle that made looking inside difficult. I have attached pictures. I think I am going to replace the small gauges because of the damaged housings. I will get back with what I find out about gauges. You can see parts of the broken housing in the gauge lenses.
There is always the big bucks alternative... :cry4`
https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-38/electrical/engine-instrument-seaward-panelcatalina-yachts-lt-95/?SearchResults=1
Too many boat units! Would look nice though.
I plan to do the replacement panel with new gauges on my boat at some point. My gauge panel is the silver version and it has been scratched off and the gauges all have dirt inside making them quite challenging to read. The price for the panel loaded with gauges and wired does not seem like too much to me, but I will admit it isn't as much fun to spend as say money towards a new feature (like a windless).
Guys : Glenn asked the question about power to the engine instrument panel.
Of course there is power to the key switch IF the battery selector in on 1,2 or Both. Otherwise there should be no power!!
I see that Glenn has discovered what I said in my post above - The 194 auto bulb is toooo hot for that instrument insulation!!
Change to a 194size LED to hold down the heat!!!
A few thoughts
Glenn,
I'm not seeing any dirt inside your gauges, maybe it's the reflection. But if they bother you, you can always replace them, it's not that expensive and it will definitely freshen up your panel.
I have ordered the 3 smaller gauges from Defender as they seem to be the same . Teleflex gauges are now made by Seastar. The gauges are basically 25 bucks each. I am going to keep the Tach, I just have to detail it. I am sending the panel off to DMP Automation,Inc., contact is Steve. He said he would email me some information about their process, I will post it. I am also replacing the ignition switch and starter button. I figured they have been there for 30 years and as long as I am there.....
Glenn : What you are probably seeing is the discoloration/wear of the acrylic panel cover over outside the entire panel.
I wrote a Mainsheet tech note article on covering your entirely new panel with a Lexan panel. Then sewing an Sunbrella removable cover to keep the Sun's UV from eating up the Lexan and the panel facing itself. :thumb:
A few thoughts
I received the panel back from DMP. I mounted the new gauges. I am happy with the appearance. I also switched the light bulbs to red LEDs.
That looks great!
Very nice
Glenn,
Strong work! As Ron suggested, a UV cover would be a good idea.
Just a couple more photos.
Nice job Glenn! As my boat is identical to yours, I would like to order the exact same panel.
Can you give me the email address for Steve at DMP and how much they charged you for the panel?
Thanks
Roland
steve@dmpautomation.com, 140$
Quote from: Roland Gendreau on November 21, 2020, 01:26:58 PM
Nice job Glenn! As my boat is identical to yours, I would like to order the exact same panel.
Can you give me the email address for Steve at DMP and how much they charged you for the panel?
Thanks
Roland
PLEASE install weather covers on the switches so I can sleep better. :sleepy:
They're CHEAP at Defender.
I made sure I ordered the Cole Hersree you recommended in another thread. I assumed they are good or did I make a mistake? I did order the weather cap for the ignition switch but the threads were buggered, I have ordered another.
Quote from: KWKloeber on November 23, 2020, 10:12:26 AM
PLEASE install weather covers on the switches so I can sleep better. :sleepy:
They're CHEAP at Defender.
Glenn : Besides the rubber boots on the starter, blower and the key switch - Also make a Sunbrella cover for the entire panel to keep the Suns UV rays off while the boat is not in use. I wrote a Mainsheet tech note article w/pictures in the tech notes!!
A thought
Glenn here's a photo of my Sunbrella gauge panel cover for reference.
Jon,
That's a great way to protect the panel from the sun, I may have to do something like that myself.