dash board lights on 410

[beachnut]

The previous owner of my 410 replaced the wood grain panels, where the insturments and switches are (in cock pit).
The problem is that now they don't illuminate at night (gauges do but engraved labels don't). Does anyone know what could be wrong?
Your help is always appreciated. -Beachnut

 

[JerryS]

If the panels were re-done, the light strips may not have been re-installed on the new panels.
Are you able to pull one of the panels or look behind them to see if the light strips are there?
A lot of times when the panels are re-done, the light strips are eliminated and LED lighting is installed.
You are going to have to look and see what is back there, if anything.

 

[beachnut]

Thanks, when I go to the boat in two weeks from now I will do that and let you know what I find. Thanks for the info!!! Beachnut

 

[boatmailster]

check dimmer switch - could be turned down and nav. lights needs to be on for illumination to work

 

[fc3]

The Sea Ray installed backlighting uses electroluminescent panels. Very efficient and very even lighting. For backlighting, probably one of the best choices. EL is also quite durable. The downside of EL is that it requires a higher voltage to operate them. There should be a small box wired somewhere between the dimmer control and the EL panels. That device steps up the voltage from about 12V to 120V. If that part is bad, you'll have no drive voltage to the EL and they won't light. EL drivers are cheap and easily found. Just google. The previous owner could also have munged the wiring or broken the contacts at the EL panels. You can also purchase EL panels on the web. They're also rather inexpensive and available in colors from blue to green.

 

[FireIsland1]

just when you think you know all systems on your boat. I just learned something new. now i can fix my lights. thanks

 

[JerryS]

just when you think you know all systems on your boat. I just learned something new. now i can fix my lights. thanks

You have to trace the wiring from your dimmer switch to the dimmer control box which is mounted somewhere under the dash - it is a black box that looks like this:

The output from the dimmer control (blue wire) then goes to your gauge lights and to the EL strip lighting driver. If you trace the wiring from the strip lighting, it will take you back to the EL driver.

When dash panels are re-done, the EL strip lighting may not have been re-installed on the new panels in the case of the OP who is questioning why his switch backlighting is not working. Or someone did not wire it in correctly-just have to look.

Since the EL lighting is taped on, it has to be removed from the old panels and re-istalled on the new panels. Either it has to be re-taped to the new panels or new strips have to be purchased

Here is a link to EL strips is anyone needs the info:

http://www.searay-parts.com/Instrument_panel_backlighting_p/lightingp1080195-striplight.htm
New style dash lights. 115 VAC light strips tape to the back side of your switch panel. Sea Ray original equipment. These lights are powered by 115V AC, there is a small transformer behind your instrument panel that converts 12VDC to 115VAC. Look at the photos for sizes.