The Yanmar engines fitted to most Hunters come with limited instrumentation, rev. counter and idiot lights being the norm. What have other owners done to supplement with oil pressure gauges, coolant temp gauges etc? And are they pleased with the results?
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Make sure you leave the buzzer
By far the most important instrumentation on my boat is the buzzer. When that ear splitting thing goes off anytime after the engine cranks, it has my attention, complete, absolute, and immediate. No way a gauge gets your attention like that. No particular problem with putting in after market gages I would think since the sending units are already there. Just don't disconnect the really important one, that buzzer.
By far the most important instrumentation on my boat is the buzzer. When that ear splitting thing goes off anytime after the engine cranks, it has my attention, complete, absolute, and immediate. No way a gauge gets your attention like that. No particular problem with putting in after market gages I would think since the sending units are already there. Just don't disconnect the really important one, that buzzer.
Hard to upgrade
I have a 1980 Hunter 30 that came only with idiot lights an no tach on a 2QM15. I added an alternator driven tach that works pretty well. The local Yanmar dealer told me that I would have to choose between warning lights vs. meters for oil pressure and water temperature. It would be difficult to impossible to have both without tapping new sensors into the block - if I could do it at all. He recommended staying with the warning lights and buzzer. I have looked into a water flow sensor as a back-up to a water temperature gauge but it does not seem worth the cost and trouble.
I have a 1980 Hunter 30 that came only with idiot lights an no tach on a 2QM15. I added an alternator driven tach that works pretty well. The local Yanmar dealer told me that I would have to choose between warning lights vs. meters for oil pressure and water temperature. It would be difficult to impossible to have both without tapping new sensors into the block - if I could do it at all. He recommended staying with the warning lights and buzzer. I have looked into a water flow sensor as a back-up to a water temperature gauge but it does not seem worth the cost and trouble.
VDO on mine.
A previous owner had replaced the panel with one from VDO(see Link) on my '79 H37C. It contains oil pressure, ammeter, water temp, and tach. It is lit and has a real on/off key switch and a push button for starting. It fits in the original space without modification. Only downside is the owner did not retain the buzzers. I will eventually rectify that shortcoming.
A previous owner had replaced the panel with one from VDO(see Link) on my '79 H37C. It contains oil pressure, ammeter, water temp, and tach. It is lit and has a real on/off key switch and a push button for starting. It fits in the original space without modification. Only downside is the owner did not retain the buzzers. I will eventually rectify that shortcoming.
Just be aware.
Colin: Just be aware that is you want to 'TEE' off you existing senders that there is a little problem. The Yanmar engine uses BPT fittings(British Pipe Threads)fittings. Anything that you are probably going to purchase is going to have SAE fittings. SAE is a tapered thread. BPT are NOT tapered. This means that you need to retap the block to make these work. This is NOT rocket science but you want to be sure that you or whoever does this for you knows what they are doing.
Colin: Just be aware that is you want to 'TEE' off you existing senders that there is a little problem. The Yanmar engine uses BPT fittings(British Pipe Threads)fittings. Anything that you are probably going to purchase is going to have SAE fittings. SAE is a tapered thread. BPT are NOT tapered. This means that you need to retap the block to make these work. This is NOT rocket science but you want to be sure that you or whoever does this for you knows what they are doing.
gauges
I have a 336 with the same idiot lights and was having an overheating problem. I spoke with one of the Yanmar reps @ the NJ Sail show, and he talked me out of changing from the lights. Yanmar sells a gauge panel, but it is very expensive. The rep's theory was that by the time you notice the gauge, the buzzer is sounding anyway.
I have a 336 with the same idiot lights and was having an overheating problem. I spoke with one of the Yanmar reps @ the NJ Sail show, and he talked me out of changing from the lights. Yanmar sells a gauge panel, but it is very expensive. The rep's theory was that by the time you notice the gauge, the buzzer is sounding anyway.
Same advice Nathan!
Nathan: The company that works on my Yannie also recommended that we DO NOT bypass the sounders. He did not have any problem with adding gauges to the system. I could not agree with him more. Anyone wanting a gauge rather than than the annoying alarms has not really thought about it very long. This is NOT an automobile with a panel right before your eyes. If you have an autopilot you may not even be directly at the helm. I agree that gauges would be a welcome addition but you can usually hear the sounds of the engine and the alarms before you would ever see a gauge. These alarms are set to go off before the engine is critical.
Nathan: The company that works on my Yannie also recommended that we DO NOT bypass the sounders. He did not have any problem with adding gauges to the system. I could not agree with him more. Anyone wanting a gauge rather than than the annoying alarms has not really thought about it very long. This is NOT an automobile with a panel right before your eyes. If you have an autopilot you may not even be directly at the helm. I agree that gauges would be a welcome addition but you can usually hear the sounds of the engine and the alarms before you would ever see a gauge. These alarms are set to go off before the engine is critical.
Teed Off
On my 3GM30(F) I've added VDO sensors for water temperature and oil pressure. The water temperature in in-line in the hose from the top of the engine. Used a bronze "T" with barbs and the sender screws in the T. The T in the hose needs to be grounded. The oil pressure sender is in the lower right corner as you look at the front of the engine while facing aft. It is not teed-off anything but has it's own threaded hole. The problem with this location is it's really close to the alternator belt. Diesel experts I've talked to recommended against using a tee with two senders because of the weight hanging "out there" and the tee with threads has a built-in fault line for fatigue failure. For what it's worth. Pleased with the results? Yes. It's been really helpful. I've also installed a raw water flow sensor downstream from the strainer but haven't hooked it up electrically yet. Let's see, that was only two years ago - time flies when you're having fun. At least it's ahead of the vacuum guage I bought for the fuel filter which hasn't been installed yet.
On my 3GM30(F) I've added VDO sensors for water temperature and oil pressure. The water temperature in in-line in the hose from the top of the engine. Used a bronze "T" with barbs and the sender screws in the T. The T in the hose needs to be grounded. The oil pressure sender is in the lower right corner as you look at the front of the engine while facing aft. It is not teed-off anything but has it's own threaded hole. The problem with this location is it's really close to the alternator belt. Diesel experts I've talked to recommended against using a tee with two senders because of the weight hanging "out there" and the tee with threads has a built-in fault line for fatigue failure. For what it's worth. Pleased with the results? Yes. It's been really helpful. I've also installed a raw water flow sensor downstream from the strainer but haven't hooked it up electrically yet. Let's see, that was only two years ago - time flies when you're having fun. At least it's ahead of the vacuum guage I bought for the fuel filter which hasn't been installed yet.
Teed Off
On my 3GM30(F) I've added VDO sensors for water temperature and oil pressure. The water temperature in in-line in the hose from the top of the engine. Used a bronze "T" with barbs and the sender screws in the T. The T in the hose needs to be grounded. The oil pressure sender is in the lower right corner as you look at the front of the engine while facing aft. It is not teed-off anything but has it's own threaded hole. The problem with this location is it's really close to the alternator belt. Diesel experts I've talked to recommended against using a tee with two senders because of the weight hanging "out there" and the tee with threads has a built-in fault line for fatigue failure. For what it's worth. Pleased with the results? Yes. It's been really helpful at times. I've also installed a raw water flow sensor downstream from the strainer but haven't hooked it up electrically yet. Let's see, that was only two years ago - time flies when you're having fun. At least it's ahead of the vacuum guage I bought for the fuel filter which hasn't been installed yet.
On my 3GM30(F) I've added VDO sensors for water temperature and oil pressure. The water temperature in in-line in the hose from the top of the engine. Used a bronze "T" with barbs and the sender screws in the T. The T in the hose needs to be grounded. The oil pressure sender is in the lower right corner as you look at the front of the engine while facing aft. It is not teed-off anything but has it's own threaded hole. The problem with this location is it's really close to the alternator belt. Diesel experts I've talked to recommended against using a tee with two senders because of the weight hanging "out there" and the tee with threads has a built-in fault line for fatigue failure. For what it's worth. Pleased with the results? Yes. It's been really helpful at times. I've also installed a raw water flow sensor downstream from the strainer but haven't hooked it up electrically yet. Let's see, that was only two years ago - time flies when you're having fun. At least it's ahead of the vacuum guage I bought for the fuel filter which hasn't been installed yet.
John N, same advice on Oil sender
John N: When I asked about these gauge installations, the Yanmar fellow recommended that we add a line from the oil sender hole and then mount the 'Tee' to a bulkhead for both sending units. He indicated that the hole for the oil sender was too small to support two senders.
John N: When I asked about these gauge installations, the Yanmar fellow recommended that we add a line from the oil sender hole and then mount the 'Tee' to a bulkhead for both sending units. He indicated that the hole for the oil sender was too small to support two senders.
Oil Sending Unit
With regard to oil pressure sending units, something to check into is one that has outputs for both the gauge and the alarm. Since my gauge is a VDO the sending unit has to match because they seem to have their own impedance characteristics for the gauge. However, their senders are available in various "set points" for the alarm - the low pressure point that will signal when the alarm goes off. The highest set point in the VDO sender line is lower than the Yanmar set point, therefore the alarm goes off somewhat quicker than normal. The idea of running a line to the bulkhead and putting the T there has merit because one could use the Yanmar sender and retain the same low pressure point when the alarm goes off.
With regard to oil pressure sending units, something to check into is one that has outputs for both the gauge and the alarm. Since my gauge is a VDO the sending unit has to match because they seem to have their own impedance characteristics for the gauge. However, their senders are available in various "set points" for the alarm - the low pressure point that will signal when the alarm goes off. The highest set point in the VDO sender line is lower than the Yanmar set point, therefore the alarm goes off somewhat quicker than normal. The idea of running a line to the bulkhead and putting the T there has merit because one could use the Yanmar sender and retain the same low pressure point when the alarm goes off.
Gauges On 2GM20F
I added oil pressure and water temp gauges to the 2GM20F on my H-30T (1991) and also left the buzzers operational. Everything works great. If anyone wants pictures and description of how I did it contact me by e-mail through the owner directory.
I added oil pressure and water temp gauges to the 2GM20F on my H-30T (1991) and also left the buzzers operational. Everything works great. If anyone wants pictures and description of how I did it contact me by e-mail through the owner directory.
Roy, post it in the Photo Forum
Roy: This would be a good project to post in the Photo Forum. This subject comes up nearly every year.
Roy: This would be a good project to post in the Photo Forum. This subject comes up nearly every year.
please post
Ray- I think it would be great if you could post your stuff in the photo gallery. You may remember that you sent me your info and pics last year. They were great and really helped me get this job done properly. The only info lacking was the issue regarding the ASA vs metric thread sizing. of course you didn't know about that because ytou had a mechanic mount your tee but otherwise your info is complete and the pics are beautiful. Good Sailing - Bill Murray S/V Good Faith H29.5 #175
Ray- I think it would be great if you could post your stuff in the photo gallery. You may remember that you sent me your info and pics last year. They were great and really helped me get this job done properly. The only info lacking was the issue regarding the ASA vs metric thread sizing. of course you didn't know about that because ytou had a mechanic mount your tee but otherwise your info is complete and the pics are beautiful. Good Sailing - Bill Murray S/V Good Faith H29.5 #175
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