Gauges? What do I need???

[parrisw]

I want to get a set of gauges for my new old boat. Its got a tach and speedo now that don't work. So Id like to replace them all. I'd like a tach speedo, engine temp if possible and volts, and trim if that'll work. Its a 1980 Johnson 115, anything specific in need for that.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Gauges? What do I need???

75% of all boats do not have gauges. if i were to install gauges, it would be tach, speedo, and water pressure. water pressure kit taps into the tale tell hose, easy install.

 

[F_R]

Re: Gauges? What do I need???

75% of all boats do not have gauges. if i were to install gauges, it would be tach, speedo, and water pressure. water pressure kit taps into the tale tell hose, easy install.

A tach is worthwhile and I reccommend it.

I wouldn't waste my money on a speedometer, but since there is already a hole in the dash, might as well. They never work here in the swamps, but might if in weed-free waters. Besides, a GPS will give accurate speed AND show you the way back home when you get lost.

Voltmeters are nice, but sometimes ignorance is bliss. If you get one, the next post you make here will be worrying about the high voltage.

Water pressure and/or temperature are nice, but in reality are sort of useless, because even if an abnormal situation does occur you won't happen to be looking at it till too late. Same with the pee streams that everybody is so concerned about. It only takes seconds to cook a powerhead if the pump quits working at high speed. Keep a new/reliable water pump in it and don't worry so much, hoping the overheat horn works...

Oops, disclaimer here---I do vote for a water pressure gage if you are a fisherman and get into the weeds.

My money, if I had any, would go for a tach, GPS, and maybe a fish finder if I were a fisherman.

 

[parrisw]

Re: Gauges? What do I need???

75% of all boats do not have gauges. if i were to install gauges, it would be tach, speedo, and water pressure. water pressure kit taps into the tale tell hose, easy install.

Thanks!! Water pressure. Never even heard of it. Sounds like a good idea. Maybe I can get the tach working that's there, I wish I had an electrical diagragm.

A tach is worthwhile and I reccommend it.

I wouldn't waste my money on a speedometer, but since there is already a hole in the dash, might as well. They never work here in the swamps, but might if in weed-free waters. Besides, a GPS will give accurate speed AND show you the way back home when you get lost.

Voltmeters are nice, but sometimes ignorance is bliss. If you get one, the next post you make here will be worrying about the high voltage.

Water pressure and/or temperature are nice, but in reality are sort of useless, because even if an abnormal situation does occur you won't happen to be looking at it till too late. Same with the pee streams that everybody is so concerned about. It only takes seconds to cook a powerhead if the pump quits working at high speed. Keep a new/reliable water pump in it and don't worry so much, hoping the overheat horn works...

Oops, disclaimer here---I do vote for a water pressure gage if you are a fisherman and get into the weeds.

My money, if I had any, would go for a tach, GPS, and maybe a fish finder if I were a fisherman.

Thanks for the tips. I'm all for GPS speedo, I have a small hand held GPS, which I brought with me for the test run, kinda small for using as a gauge.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Gauges? What do I need???

If the battery is charging when the engine is running the tach is probably blown. Check the power wiring behind the tach first though, could just be corrosion on the terminals, loosen and clean.

 

[parrisw]

Re: Gauges? What do I need???

If the battery is charging when the engine is running the tach is probably blown. Check the power wiring behind the tach first though, could just be corrosion on the terminals, loosen and clean.

Cool, thanks.