Engine instruments

[pullark]

Hi, I have a Catalina 30 Mk11 1989. I have some issues with the engine instruments and am hoping someone may be able to assist me. Issue 1 ..hour meter doesn't work. Seems like this is powered by tacho (which works fine). I'm thinking I may need to get an electronics guru to fix it. Is there anything I can do before resorting to this step? Issue 2...one instrument light (bayonet-type) fitting is broken. Where would I go to get a replacement? Issue 3..The instrument panel is cracked and should be replaced. I see Catalina Direct sells complete panels with instruments. I don't need new instruments...just the panel. Any leads on where these can be bought?
Thank You.
Kevin

 

[Stu Jackson]

1. Once the hour meter goes it's usually toast. It's the numbers binding up. You could remove it and give it a try. http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4677.0.html and http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6427.0.html

2. Call Seaward, the panel maker, or Teleflex who made the instruments. West Marine or Defender should have them, too.

3. Either Seaward, again, or make one up with a local plastics shop.

If your instruments are Datamarine, you need to know about www.dmimarine.com

 

[pullark]

Thanks Stu,
Some good information and leads to follow up. I knew someone out there in Catalinaland would have the wisdom!
Cheers

1. Once the hour meter goes it's usually toast. It's the numbers binding up. You could remove it and give it a try. http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4677.0.html and http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6427.0.html

2. Call Seaward, the panel maker, or Teleflex who made the instruments. West Marine or Defender should have them, too.

3. Either Seaward, again, or make one up with a local plastics shop.

If your instruments are Datamarine, you need to know about www.dmimarine.com

 

[jrowan]

Thanks Stu,
Some good information and leads to follow up. I knew someone out there in Catalinaland would have the wisdom!
Cheers

Its a lot cheaper just to buy an new hour meter / tach gauge & generic gauge light wiring kit then to hire an electronics repairman to look at it.
The first thing they would also do is replace the gauge. The wiring to the gauges is a simple circuit, but isolating the wires can be daunting at first cause its a bit of a rats nest behind the panel! Although by the 1989 model I would hope its better organized. As Stew said most of the panels were made by Seaward & are still readily available without the gauges. Just make sure U label all wiring really well before removing the gauges from the old panel when replacing!

 

[Barnacle Bill]

It is tough to spend money on a new gauge if the problem was a loose or corroded wire. So, check the connections first, before replacing the unit. Regarding the instruments. The boat manufacture does not deal with electronics other than maybe installing them at the factory level when it is new. The dealer might install them at the dealer level if the manufacture doesn't do this (which is typical for many). That is why you should fill out all the little warranty cards supplied to you when you buy a new boat that goes to all the manufacturer's of the products installed on your vessel. The manufacture deals with hull and deck issues, etc. - the core of the boat, but not these accessories. So, going back to Catalina usually is futile. If you have a good dealer, he might support you, other wise call the manufacturer of the electronics you have and you can send it right in to their facility for repair. If the bezel glass is broken, they will quickly replace it with a new bezel (as the guts can be pulled from the bezel). Why mess around with a glass company to replace the glass when the manufacture can pull it right off the shelf. The lighting in the unit can also be replaced by the manufacturer too. Often they are something like a grain of wheat bulb (small) that is soldered into the circuit board and so that is not something most boat owners will tackle. This is so simple. I don't know why people come up with all the weird solutions one can read in this forum.

 

[jrowan]

You can contact gauge manufactures such as Teleflex or VDO and I seriously doubt that they will even bother to replace a glass bezel or "grain of wheat bulb." Its simply not cost effective for them to bother with a gauge that after 20-30 years is probably no longer even accurate. I think that this is a "weird solution." By the time you pay for shipping to send the gauge to them, have it repaired, and shipped back you've already paid for a new gauge! Also any part I ever sent to a manufacture for repair usually takes the better part of at least 6 to 8 weeks or more to get back. Many times its lost or discarded when its deemed to be no longer manufactured and is never even returned. The lighting circuit is a simple two wire system, and are typically generic and can be easily replaced without sending to a manufacturer. The are not usually "soldered to the board" on analog needle type gauges. Also, neither Stu or I ever mentioned contacting Catalina for electronic repairs, so I don't know why you bring that up. It makes no difference if the warranty cards were filled out on a 22 year old boat, when the warranty expires on electrical components after 1 year! Most of us do not buy these boats new anyway! "Pullark" stated that the instrument panel itself was cracked, not a glass gauge bezel, so I don't know what you're talking about. Perhaps you need to read more carefully before you criticize our posts, as we're trying to help. I think your post is the "weird solution," not ours.