Ignition key

[MASTER Brian]

My boat has a remote mounted ingition key that is "Push to Choke". It sets on the left side of the console, so it's right in the way of any traffic. I was thinking of swapping it out with another guage and mounting it on the left side, but that will take a lot of rigging.

My main reason for wanting to do this is because I have an almost 2 year old daughter who of course loves playing with the key and it is right in front of where she sits. I'm also worried, my knee will knock into it sometime and break the key off.

Is there any type of setup I could easily replace the dash keyed ignition with and maybe put the key somewhere else remote and out of the way?

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Ignition key

you can mount an ignition key w/choke anywhere on the dash.
http://www.iboats.com/Ignition_Star...6659225--view_id.216622--search_type.category

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Ignition key

Now is the time to become a "teacher" -- rather then being a "tolerator". When on a boat there are things a child must understand not to touch or to do. If you don't want to take on that role, there is a simple fix. Remove the entire assembly and simply mount it on a bracket "under" the dash. You have now made the ignition more child proof, but have created a headache for yourself. Sorry if I sound "old school" (because I am). But on the water, children need to understand what is acceptable behavior. Their brains are like little sponges and simply have to have data presented to them and they will absorb it. They don't learn unless someone acts as the teacher.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Ignition key

Well, maybe I need to look at things again. It really looked like it would be a PITA when I looked before. Part of the reason is the hole for the key is different from the hole needed for a gauge. I believe the key took about an 1" hole and the gauge(s) use about a 2 1/2" hole. The problem is screwing the keys bazel. But I suppose I could fabricate something to fill the gauge hole up so I could use that.

The other problem was whether or not all the wiring would reach the other side of the dash. But of course, wire can always be spliced into.

I was just hoping for an easier solution.

Thanks!

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Ignition key

Now is the time to become a "teacher" -- rather then being a "tolerator". When on a boat there are things a child must understand not to touch or to do. If you don't want to take on that role, there is a simple fix. Remove the entire assembly and simply mount it on a bracket "under" the dash. You have now made the ignition more child proof, but have created a headache for yourself. Sorry if I sound "old school" (because I am). But on the water, children need to understand what is acceptable behavior. Their brains are like little sponges and simply have to have data presented to them and they will absorb it. They don't learn unless someone acts as the teacher.

Well, I knew this response would come, so here it is. It's not so much that I can't teach her not to mess with it, but kids are kids and they do break things. They don't mean to, but like you say they are like sponges and they want to learn how/why things work. Part of the concern is even if my daughter learns not to mess with it, what about someone elses kid? Yes, I can try to teach them as well, but I can't always see everything going on.

It's also not 100% the kids I'm worried about either. Like I said, I worry my knee will hit it as I'm moving about. Or when others move about. My boat isn't big, so space is limited and it's right there inches from the walking path.

I've been around enough boats to witness key's breaking very easily and I am one of those people if it can happen, it will happen to me. If the keys were stronger material like house/car keys, I wouldn't worry, but they are very soft metal in my opinion. It wouldn't be the end of the world, especially seeing as I have easy access to the back side of my dash, but that's the last thing I want to mess with when I'm several miles out on some lake, it's 100* out, etc.... I just figure I'll move it and eliminate some worry. I go to the lake to relax and get away, not so that I have to monitor what everyone is doing 24/7.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Ignition key

Sorry if I touched a nerve. It's just me! But as Rick said, removing the bezel (unless its something really special) is not big job. Remove it, remove the switch, drill a new hole wherever you wish to mount it (within reach of the wiring) and remount the switch. You can buy a hole plug to plug the original hole at any hardware store.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Ignition key

Sorry if I touched a nerve. It's just me! But as Rick said, removing the bezel (unless its something really special) is not big job. Remove it, remove the switch, drill a new hole wherever you wish to mount it (within reach of the wiring) and remount the switch. You can buy a hole plug to plug the original hole at any hardware store.

No problem, you've always been helpful, so I can take it. I just don't want someone thinking I don't teach my child stuff. She does very good, but she is still very young and therefore doesn't always listen or realize why what she's doing is wrong. I'm not the type to child proof everything, because I am a firm believer she has to learn what she can and can't mess with. An example, my wife wanted me to child proof all the cabinets because she got tired of chasing after her. I figure what's it hurt if she gets into some pots and pans or the cereal. Worst case she makes a mess, but at least she'll learn and it will curb the curiousity. However, the cabinet with the cleaners has a child proof lock, she doesn't need to learn that way! And like I said it's not necessarily her I'm worried about, she's just thrown into the equation.

I was just hoping there might be something that didn't have a key that would accomplish the same thing. I'll probably just drill the hole out, move my fuel gauge or my trim gauge to that hole and epoxy the plug I cut out into other guages hole, let it dry and then re-mount the key. In fact for $20 I might buy a new unit, just because my other one is starting to get some wear.