AC/DC Marine Instrument Panels

[HMT2]

We are in the process of looking at changing out the instrument panel on our 83 H31. The one that is there is pretty beat up. Tach doesn't work and only idiot lights and we are thinking about adding, oil pressure, water temp and maybe voltmeter(s).

I ran across a company, on the internet(Ebay) AC/DC Marine in Torrance CA that is custom making instrument panels for Yanmar Engines complete with wiring. They can custom make a panel to our specs, by the time we gather all the instruments and materials it may be close to a push on cost. They also provide wiring diagrams. My question is, as any one done business with them, or had any experience with them? I've done an internet search as well and not turned up any reviews. I am not much of an ebay user. Perhaps someone knows something that can inform me from there.

I have read the threads on how to do this and keep the existing panel and we are contemplating that as well. We have also looked at just adding the gauges and a new tach and putting the whole thing in a piece of starboard we customize for this. Any experience with this company would be appreciated. Here is the ebay link to a panel they are selling.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/yanmar-panel

 

[artboas]

Better idea

We are in the process of looking at changing out the instrument panel on our 83 H31. The one that is there is pretty beat up. Tach doesn't work and only idiot lights and we are thinking about adding, oil pressure, water temp and maybe voltmeter(s).

I ran across a company, on the internet(Ebay) AC/DC Marine in Torrance CA that is custom making instrument panels for Yanmar Engines complete with wiring. They can custom make a panel to our specs, by the time we gather all the instruments and materials it may be close to a push on cost. They also provide wiring diagrams. My question is, as any one done business with them, or had any experience with them? I've done an internet search as well and not turned up any reviews. I am not much of an ebay user. Perhaps someone knows something that can inform me from there.

I have read the threads on how to do this and keep the existing panel and we are contemplating that as well. We have also looked at just adding the gauges and a new tach and putting the whole thing in a piece of starboard we customize for this. Any experience with this company would be appreciated. Here is the ebay link to a panel they are selling.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/yanmar-panel

I suggest you get an analog - N2K conversion kit, and then use a chart plotter to display your engine data.
You could also use a water-proofed IPad
This is a very neat approach, and will work down below as well as in the cockpit

 

[GorillaToast]

For those of us not knowledgeable...

Please explain how an iPad can read oil pressure, and water temp. Are we talking Bluetooth sensors?

 

[artboas]

Use a converter

For those of us not knowledgeable...

Please explain how an iPad can read oil pressure, and water temp. Are we talking Bluetooth sensors?

There is a company called Actisense.
They make an interface that puts the engine sensors on N2K.
Once the data is on N2k, get a wireless bridge.
Then use programs such as N2K viewer from Maretron

 

[GorillaToast]

I see. Thanks. Sounds like a lot of integration ($$) just to replace something that seems to me is best left analog. I would rather KISS.

 

[uncledom]

By adding analog gauges you need to also add sending units. The oil pressure and over temp sensors are basically like light switches, when the preset criteria is met it gives a connection to ground and completes the circuit that puts on the red light and sounds the buzzer. For you to read pressure or temperature you need a sending unit that is a rheostat, like a ceiling fan speed control. It is a variable resistor that changes with temp or pressure to enable viewing a difference. I did this to a car once. It's a lot of work , t's for the dual sensors, additional wiring... If you like doing it great but if your paying someone else to do it, it would be a considerable cost I would think. Good luck with the project.

 

[kloudie1]

H 31 Instruments

HMT2.. Have ya checked the tacho connections? There is a chronic connection problem in the multiple connections in the harness for the sender wires for the tach. There are two multi-pin connectors and the connections on the sender itself that get loose corroded and the tach stops working. The oil pressure and temperature gauges can be had for $50-$75 .. Folks have installed them in the outside wall of the little storage cubby (with the wood top) so you can see 'em at the helm.. I have attached a wiring diagram that I think (not absolutely sure) goes with your set up..

 

[HMT2]

Kloudie,

Yes we have checked the connections at the tach sender and tach cleaned them, and reattached same result. I think the connection is good, because when the throttle is up the tach needle moves a little. Planning on attaching a new tach and seeing if that fixes the problem before I go chasing down wires and other connections. BTW found that Yanmar has a blank instrument panel exactly like the one on my 83 h31. Twenty eight bucks, just slip in all the components and idiot lights and our crappy beat up instrument panel will be transformed. We will locate the gauges somewhere near the engine, perhaps where you suggested.. That's the cheap fix. Thanks for the diagram.

 

[HMT2]

Just to follow up. New panel, new tach, new check switch, and new starter button all installed. The problem with my tach was the tach itself.

 

[kloudie1]

Looks mighty fine!

 

[nolasafari]

I am working on a program for the iPad which will let you read as many temperature points on your boat as you would like. You can read as many points on the engine, genset, refer, what ever you want to strap a sensor to. When I get it little more refined I will post some screen shots. Currently I read my engine cooling water and the exhaust water. I will add the genset when I get motivated to work on it again. In theory you are not limited to the amount of sensors you can read. The data is sent to a small processor which sends it out to the ipad, iphone, or an android device via wifi. The apple devices have a nice interface the androids are read with a terminal program, the terminal program can also be used on the apple devices. Haven't even thought about the oil pressure or the alternator side yet.

 

[pateco]

Just to follow up. New panel, new tach, new check switch, and new starter button all installed. The problem with my tach was the tach itself.

Nice new panel. Where did you get it, and if I may ask, how much was it?

My panel and tach, still work, but they are UV worn and cracked.

 

[HMT2]

Pateco,

I got the panel and tach from my local Yanmar dealer. Yacht Equipment Services in Kemah, Texas. The cost for the panel was like $26.00, the tach was pricey at $150.00 but it just plugged right in, new starter button I had already was like thirty dollars. Really a very simple project.

 

[Maine Sail]

A panel like this can be built fairly easily and for not a lot of money. That said the $499.00 for a pre made panel is not a bad deal.

I generally use the Faria Euro style gauges:

0-4000 Alt Sensed Tachometer - PN 32842 = $77.99
Voltmeter - PN 12821 = $24.99
Oil Pressure Gauge - PN 12803 = $24.99
Oil Pressure Sender 1/8" - PN 90512 = 29.99
Engine Temp Gauge - PN 12812 = $24.99
Temp Sender - PN 90401 = $12.99
Fuel Gauge - PN 12801 = $24.99
TOTAL FOR GAUGES & SENDERS = $220.93

 

[Kestle]

If I did this with digital gauges, what company would you recommend?

Jeff

 

[Blitz]

A panel like this can be built fairly easily and for not a lot of money. That said the $499.00 for a pre made panel is not a bad deal.

I generally use the Faria Euro style gauges:

0-4000 Alt Sensed Tachometer - PN 32842 = $77.99
Voltmeter - PN 12821 = $24.99
Oil Pressure Gauge - PN 12803 = $24.99
Oil Pressure Sender 1/8" - PN 90512 = 29.99
Engine Temp Gauge - PN 12812 = $24.99
Temp Sender - PN 90401 = $12.99
Fuel Gauge - PN 12801 = $24.99
TOTAL FOR GAUGES & SENDERS = $220.93

What do you make your panels out of?

 

[Maine Sail]

What do you make your panels out of?

Often polycarbonate it cuts routs and sands beautifully. I then paint it with Krylon Fusion matte black.. Sometimes I draw it up and have my plastics guy laser cut it for me..