Adding Gauges

[DFreedom]

What started as simply adding a black panel of Starboard (to rearrange existing gauges) has morphed into now wanting to add some gauges. After input from various sources, I am thinking about adding a Tach, Oil Pressure and Water Temp. gauges. I currently only have a fuel gauge, tilt/trim and compass. I have some questions.............please bear with me.

1. Is this a do it yourself job? I built most of my own house and am

a pretty competent handyman but have not done anything like this

before.

2. Are all gauges created equal? Will any gauges work w/a 70 HP,

2-stroke Yamaha?

3. When you buy gauges do they come with all you need (except

connectors, etc)?

4. Are there any other gauges I should consider? I can't see needing

a speedo as I don't care how fast I am going, may eliminate the

tilt/trim gauage as I can see the motor and will probably add a

new fuel gauge.

Am I forgetting anything, anything I should consider? Thanks for everything folks!

[kingair]

What started as simply adding a black panel of Starboard (to rearrange existing gauges) has morphed into now wanting to add some gauges. After input from various sources, I am thinking about adding a Tach, Oil Pressure and Water Temp. gauges. I currently only have a fuel gauge, tilt/trim and compass. I have some questions.............please bear with me.

1. Is this a do it yourself job? I built most of my own house and am

a pretty competent handyman but have not done anything like this

before.

2. Are all gauges created equal? Will any gauges work w/a 70 HP,

2-stroke Yamaha?

3. When you buy gauges do they come with all you need (except

connectors, etc)?

4. Are there any other gauges I should consider? I can't see needing

a speedo as I don't care how fast I am going, may eliminate the

tilt/trim gauage as I can see the motor and will probably add a

new fuel gauge.

Am I forgetting anything, anything I should consider? Thanks for everything folks!

I will give you the information I learned for my dash redo.

Here is the before and after pictures

Before

After

I went with Faria gauges that were used on a 2008 Trophy walk-around and I was able to use 2 gauges

Tach, gas and volts on sw 1

Speed, Trim and temp on sw2

The harness should have a wiring diagram that shows the leads and you can use one ground to each gauge and a common positive for the lights.

[reelapeelin]

There are some great books on wiring 12 volt boat systems...there's more to it than should be covered in a forum post...yes you should have a tach, fuel gauge (fuel-flow meter if you go offshore), volt-meter, temp and pressure also...if you have or will have a GPS unit, it will give you a better speed reading than a speedometer...

[DFreedom]

Good info guys.......thanks! Kingair, those look like multi-function gauges. Where did you get those. I like the fact that it gives you all the info you want/need but does so with only 2 gauges.

[kingair]

Good info guys.......thanks! Kingair, those look like multi-function gauges. Where did you get those. I like the fact that it gives you all the info you want/need but does so with only 2 gauges.

I ordered them from Trophy. They come standard on a 2001 1903 CC. Here is the link. They can be ordered through a Trophy dealer.

http://www.trophyboatparts.com/2001/1903fe...fe8.htm#1035232

[DFreedom]

Thanks for the info!