Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

[capndan]

I have a 2005 Four Winns Horizon 18'...basically I love the boat, except for a few small things, and one thing that drives me nuts.

At night, when I have NAV lights on, all of the guages on my dash are lit up, and combined with their reflection on the windshield, pretty much blind me. I wind up throwing a towel on the dash, to block out the light.

Is it difficult to separate the circuits, and put the dash/instrumetn lights on a separate swithch?

Dan L

 

[dingbat]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

Much easier to just change the backlight bulbs to red. Works like a charm.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

No, it would not be difficult to add a seperate switch., but you could also just add a rheostat (dimmer) for a little more control.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

Instrument panel lights are fed in a daisy chain fashion where +12 volts is fed to the light terminal on the first gauge in the string. That terminal is jumpered to the light terminal ont he next gauge, and the process repeated. Find the feed to the first gauge. Disconnect that wire at its source and insert the switch at that point. Just two wires involved. The one you disconnected, and the one you add from the other switch terminal to the point where the first wire was disconnected. Now that you know how to do it, do you realize the gauges provide important information and not being able to see them may result in a very hard hit to the wallet or possibly the safety of all on board if you are not warned of an issue. Red is why good quality instruments have red back lighting.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

Much easier to just change the backlight bulbs to red. Works like a charm.

That's the way to go. Mine are red and cause me no problems at night. In fact, they look really cool.

 

[capndan]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

Thanks.

Red they shall be! Makes perfect sense.

Dan L

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

Thanks.

Red they shall be! Makes perfect sense.

Dan L

Good choice!

Someone makes red colored 'condoms' to slip over your existing bulbs...nothing could be simplier!

Happy boating!

 

[capndan]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

Good choice!

Someone makes red colored 'condoms' to slip over your existing bulbs...nothing could be simplier!

Happy boating!

how hard is it to change the bulbs/ Or for that matter, to slip on the "condoms". Did a search on changing the bulbs, didn't find anything.

I hope it's easier in a 4Winns than in a pick up truck. (change the bulbs, that is..unfortunately I never needed to slip on a ....oh, never mind, definitely too much information there)

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

how hard is it to change the bulbs/ Or for that matter, to slip on the "condoms". Did a search on changing the bulbs, didn't find anything.

I hope it's easier in a 4Winns than in a pick up truck. (change the bulbs, that is..unfortunately I never needed to slip on a ....oh, never mind, definitely too much information there)

Most gauges have a twist-in holder at the back...turn CCW and pull out:

The bulb just pulls out...or you can slip the colored condom over the bulb.

Happy boating!

 

[capndan]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

wow, thanks for the great pictures!

Dan

 

[capndan]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

so what are those slip-on thingies really called? What do I search for?

thanks,

Dan

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Dash/Instruments light on separate switch

so what are those slip-on thingies really called? What do I search for?

thanks,

Dan

This is the first 'hit' I got using 'red bulb covers' with Google...I think these are what you need:

http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Meter-3214-Socket-Covers/dp/B0009RSXUS

There are more, and I think that the Faria gauge site talks about them (Faria makes most of the marine gauges out there).

Happy boating!