Idiot Light be Gone!!

[Steve Harder]

On my '85, 40 footer, I want to replace my existing idiot light/tach instrument cluster, with one that has a temp gauge, tach

 

[Ed Schenck]

VDO?

My 1979 H37C had the original panel replaced with a VDO panel. It contains Amp meter, oil pressure, and water temp. Also has the key switch, push button starter, and a switch for lighting the panel. Source in link below has an -800 number. Might be worth a call.

 

[Steve Dion]

Check with Yanmar.

I do not know much about the larger Yanmar engines, but on the GM series you could just leave your instrument panel in place and add the additional Oil and Water gauges.Personally I would not ever consider getting rid of the lights and sounders. A boat is not like a car where you are going to be glancing down at the dash board as you drive. Your attention is sails, trim, traffic and crew. If you suck up something and start to overheat you may or may not notice a guage but you will hear that warning. The Yanmar panels also have a diagnostic circuit in them that is suppose to test the panel each time you start it up. You are only missing the Oil Pressure and Water Temp gauges.The problem that you may find is the fittings are BPT (British Pipe Thread). These are non-tapered threads. The stuff you will be able to purchase are probably going to be SAE fittings. You can put a tee into the block where the sensors go and have the idiot lights and the gauges too. This will give you the best of both worlds without messing with the Yanmar system.

 

[Tim Schaaf]

Agree with Steve

I kept my idiot lights (aren't all we sailors idiots of some type or another?) and added Stuart Warner guages. Works great.

 

[Sam Lust]

Guage Panels

Years back Mack Boring sold ready made panels with VDO gauges. When I checked a couple of years ago they no longer handled them. They do have factory panels for the larger engines.A panel is not that hard to make up. Mine took a couple of hours in the shop and a coupel of hours wiring in front of the TV one winter evening. DO NOT make the panel Plexiglass. It cracks immediately.Steve's right about the threads in the engine. A 3/8 NPT tap and some balls takes care of it. By all means keep the warning hooter system. In my experience it's very rare to be motoring along in your car while standing 20 or so feet away, while it happens often on a boat.Gauges are a worthwhile addition to any boat. If I ever get decent pictures I'll post them.