Tach's are irratic.

John boat

New Member
Jan 25, 2020
4
Boat Info
2003 SUNDANCER 300
Engines
350 MAG MPI W/BRAVO III DRIVES
So my 2003 sundancer 300 tach's are jumping. If I tap on them they will jump, also when the engines have just started. I have pulled the bezel and checked the connections and they seem tight. I don't see a switch on the back to change any settings like I have read on other posts. if I move the plug on the back of the gauge I can get it to move as well. Is it an internal problem? Can I service the gauge myself? Thoughts?
 
Check and clean your ground wire for the tach
 
My last boat had the same issue... I would remove the wires from the back of the tach’s and spray with Electrical Contact Spray.

This would cure the problem for a few months or more.
 
So my 2003 sundancer 300 tach's are jumping. If I tap on them they will jump, also when the engines have just started. I have pulled the bezel and checked the connections and they seem tight. I don't see a switch on the back to change any settings like I have read on other posts. if I move the plug on the back of the gauge I can get it to move as well. Is it an internal problem? Can I service the gauge myself? Thoughts?
This seem's to be an issue with the Tach's SeaRay uses this was an issue i fort with every year no matter what i did.i finally replace them with Aetna Digital tach's. The Issue Is No More ! 2257E562-C448-4F45-87E2-098289EB2440.jpeg
 
I have several technicians tell me I can send the gauges out to be repaired..... has anyone repaired them on their own?
 
I have several technicians tell me I can send the gauges out to be repaired..... has anyone repaired them on their own?
I don't know what you could possibly do to them!

Also Welcome Aboard Hopefully someone else will chime in and give you more info.
 
Its not just searays, my maxum tach does it too!
 
This is a common problem with Teleflex techs, who was the vendor for Sea Ray. They do have the ability to repair techs, but they cannot reset the hours and the repair cost is more than the cost of a new tach......roughly $190. After 3 sets of Teleflex replacements, I gave up and switched to Aetna digital electronic techs.

And, no, the techs are not user serviceable.
 
What are my options? Replace all the gauges? What Gauges will work with the single plug connections like I have? Can I just replace the Tach's? I don't want to start making it look like a hack job.
 
Aetna tachs are plug and play or you can buy new versions of what you have but they too will fail.
 
What are my options? Replace all the gauges? What Gauges will work with the single plug connections like I have? Can I just replace the Tach's? I don't want to start making it look like a hack job.


Ssuggest you re-read post #9:

Your options are 1)remove the factory tachs and send them back to Telefles for repair. You will need to remove the gauge panel and remove the tachs from the back side. You will be running your boat without tachs until you get the repaired ones back.

2) replace the tachs
a. with a factory replacement - costs about $190 per tach
b. with Aetna digital techs. May require a special bezel to fill the hole. This is a plug and play hook up since the Aetnas use the same 3 wires the factory techs do. This is also a permanent fix since Aetnas don't fail.
c. some brand of aftermarket tach that you like - wiring changes and difficulty depends upon the brand of aftermarket tach you choose.

Any fix to factory tachs like flipping the various switches or even sending them in for repair should be considered temporary because all that happens is creating fresh contacts on corroded internal switch parts or replacing the internal switches with new ones that will eventually fail due to internal corrosion.

Replacing the techs doesn't need to be a "hack job". On my 450DA, the factory gauge bezels were black and Aetna sells a black tach and a black bezel.



index.php
 
Ssuggest you re-read post #9:

Your options are 1)remove the factory tachs and send them back to Telefles for repair. You will need to remove the gauge panel and remove the tachs from the back side. You will be running your boat without tachs until you get the repaired ones back.

2) replace the tachs
a. with a factory replacement - costs about $190 per tach
b. with Aetna digital techs. May require a special bezel to fill the hole. This is a plug and play hook up since the Aetnas use the same 3 wires the factory techs do. This is also a permanent fix since Aetnas don't fail.
c. some brand of aftermarket tach that you like - wiring changes and difficulty depends upon the brand of aftermarket tach you choose.

Any fix to factory tachs like flipping the various switches or even sending them in for repair should be considered temporary because all that happens is creating fresh contacts on corroded internal switch parts or replacing the internal switches with new ones that will eventually fail due to internal corrosion.

Replacing the techs doesn't need to be a "hack job". On my 450DA, the factory gauge bezels were black and Aetna sells a black tach and a black bezel.



index.php
I installed the black also Looks Great the best thing i ever did
IMG_1213.jpeg
IMG_1213.jpeg
 
Try switching the selector switch on the back of your tachs back and forth a few times to wipe the contacts and return them to the 8 cylinder setting.

That usually works!
The starboard tach in my old boat had to be done at the beginning of the season every year.
I did it to the starboard tach on this boat 3 years ago and so far so good.
Aetna’s Ray wishlist though. The Aetna tachs are priced fairly butI just have to bring myself to spend the money on a new dash panel to fit them or come up with a suitable cost effective alternative
 
My tachs were closee but there was a 125-300 rpm split. got tired of guessing what the actual RPM was so I bought the Aetna’s. Making a bezel was easy. Tools and materials from any hardware store and a little effort produced these.

Not perfect and not my final panel, but allowed me to get them installed with out the expense of a new panel. I will do the new panel sometime in the near future.

here’s the how to..

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/diy-aetna-tach-bezels-5-4.95904/
 
And for the record...worth the $$$.
 
I have had issues with my tachs in the past and it seems it's the starboard one, but anyway I have pulled the dash panel off and removed the wires, sanded the contacts lightly, dressed with dielectric gel and re-assembled. In the E.R. my engines have a wiring harness connector, which I have disconnected sanded the contacts lightly, dressed with dielectric gel and re-connected. This has solved the problem several times over the 13 years I have had the boat.
 

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