Gauges and breaker/switch behind dash lighting--89 300 Weekender 454 inboards

[ks65609]

I am searching for replacement gauges (voltmeter,tachs) as well as the strip behind dash lighting for our 300 Weekender

I have tried Old Boat Gauges, FP Marine, and Blue Water Specialty Marine products however so far unsuccessful.

Please let me know if you know of other sources where I may be able to find the gauges I require.

Thanks
Ken

 

[johngus]

why not upgrade the guages to a newer style.My tachs went out and replaced with new Faria tachs.really can't tell the difference,plus they are better quality.figure I can replace the others if they go bad.what is the dash lighting strip,I don't think my 88 has it,each guage is individually lit.
your boat must be awesome with big blocks.I have small blocks and have enough power,plus I don't need the gas dock every day like you must.

 

[ks65609]

why not upgrade the guages to a newer style.My tachs went out and replaced with new Faria tachs.really can't tell the difference,plus they are better quality.figure I can replace the others if they go bad.what is the dash lighting strip,I don't think my 88 has it,each guage is individually lit.
your boat must be awesome with big blocks.I have small blocks and have enough power,plus I don't need the gas dock every day like you must.

johngus
Thanks very much for the response. Would you happen to have a link where I might source the Faria gauges. Are they a direct bolt in replacement ?
The dash lighting strip lights up the identification lettering for each breaker and switch. It is located behind the instrument panel and as I understand it is actually 110/155V but includes a transformer to convert the 12V power supply.
I was advised to go with the big blocks due to the higher torque providing good performance at lower rpm. I can cruise at 23/24 mph with 2700/2800 rpm and lots left if I need it. Try to keep it below 3000 and stay out of the secondaries, however 3400 rpm will provide 30/31 mph easily. Fuel consumption is 21/22 gph at the lower numbers. (2 adults, 2 kids, full fuel and water). I never go to full throttle to get up on plane although I know there are plenty who advise to do so. Most of our boating is in the Trent Canal system with a mix of small lakes and river/canals. Longest stretch on plane may be 45 min.
What type of packing do you have in your shaft logs or do you use the dripless system ?

Thanks
Ken

 

[johngus]

I got the Faria tachs at a local marine store.just measured them and thats what they had in stock.was a direct replacement for the old factory teleflex ones.I am running regular packing on the shafts.no reason to spend the money for dripless when the boxes in our boats are so easy to work with.Interesting about the lettering number lights,never knew it was there,now i gotta check it and fix that next.

 

[ks65609]

I got the Faria tachs at a local marine store.just measured them and thats what they had in stock.was a direct replacement for the old factory teleflex ones.I am running regular packing on the shafts.no reason to spend the money for dripless when the boxes in our boats are so easy to work with.Interesting about the lettering number lights,never knew it was there,now i gotta check it and fix that next.

johngus
Thanks for the feedback. I will check out the gauges you mentioned. I included a link for the lighting strips that I have found to date. Still searching for other suppliers however these strips look identical to the ones in my boat. Have to check the id numbers to be sure.
Ken

 

[Island_Girl]

Ken,

Here's the light strip I used on my 85 weekender http://www.jab-tech.com/EL-Wire-and-EL-Tape-c-62.html. Works great. 12v to 120

Noel

 

[ks65609]

Ken,

Here's the light strip I used on my 85 weekender http://www.jab-tech.com/EL-Wire-and-EL-Tape-c-62.html. Works great. 12v to 120

Noel

Noel
Thanks for the link. I will be sure to check it out.

 

[andyr]

For behind the dash lighting just glue a "rope light". They draw next to nothing and are 12v. Google rope light. 1/2" is plenty. Cheap too.

 

[Bob & Sue]

Amazon carries a large selection of Faria tachs and gauges.

 

[ks65609]

For behind the dash lighting just glue a "rope light". They draw next to nothing and are 12v. Google rope light. 1/2" is plenty. Cheap too.

Thanks. Since the existing wiring comes from a transformer would I need to run new wiring ?

 

[ks65609]

Amazon carries a large selection of Faria tachs and gauges.

Thanks for the tip. I had not come across Amazon as of yet and will check it out.