Dash light access

[RiverRat]

On a 03 280 how do you access the lights inside the guages? I have a few that are not working and was looking over the weekend...Do you have to take the guages out and open them to get to the light inside? any help is much appreciated.

 

[skolbe]

Are you sure that the connections are not just corroded -

The boat looks great.

 

[Presentation]

When you find out please let me know. I have some dark areas also.

I am assuming I will remove the entire panel that contains the gauges. Then from the back of the gauge I will be able to remove the socket that holds the bulbs.

At least that is how it was on my 1998 240 Sundancer.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Sorry guys,

In my Smartcraft research I learned the following: The 02 & 03 have the Sea Ray 'nextgen' gauges. I am not sure if they come apart, but they have a six pin plug because the bulb is inside. They are also pricey $ 150 for a trim gauge! The back looks like it might come off, but I am not ready to perform gaugemdecomy.

Henry

 

[Bottom Line]

River....I would check the connection on the back...but I think on the Sea Ray gauges, you have to replace the gauge....no way to repair or replace the bulbs...that is what MM service manager told me. On one of my tachs, about 1/4 of the gauge is very dim....since I don't boat much at night, it is not worth replacing for me.

 

[RiverRat]

Are you sure that the connections are not just corroded -

The boat looks great.

I'm pretty sure they aren't corroded... I took the plugs off visually inspected and the connections look clean, re-plugged them back in a couple of times. Still no go. I also couldn't find any "light socket" on the rear of the guages.

 

[skolbe]

If you have to replace gauges - you might as well get the Smart Craft Gauges if your engines are smartcraft ready. I have the wiring diagrams. I have two extra tach cables.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I've done the Smartcraft upgrade. But I did it late in the fall and have not had a chance to see if they even light at night. Since they completely bypass the lighting circuits, the only way they would be illuminated is if the light is on all the time.

So if you are changing for better dash lighting, do some more research!

Henry

 

[RiverRat]

Well, I'll be going to the boat this weekend to work on it anyway so, I may pop out one of the guages to see if there is access to the lighting inside. I don't think I'll be upgrading to smartcraft guages just because of lighting issues. If anything I will figure out a way to install lights into the housing... seems like a good place for some nice LED lighting.