Install Boat Gauges

[wildwood11]

I just purchased a set of Faria boat gauges, spedo, tach, volt, fuel, trim. My boat has no gauges in it right now. I just realized I have no idea how to set these things up. Also I think I may need some other parts for some of these gauges. What other parts go with the speedometer for example? I just have a gauge. Any tips from people who have done this before would be great.

Thanks

 

[NYBo]

Re: Install Boat Gauges

The wiring goes like this (diagram courtesy of Silvertip):

The speedometer will need a pitot and tubing.

The fuel gauge requires a sending unit in the gas tank. Do you have a built-in gas tank?

The trim gauge requires a trim sender designed for your outdrive/outboard.

The tach and voltmeter don't require anything other than proper wiring connections.

 

[wildwood11]

Re: Install Boat Gauges

Thanks a lot NYbo, I think I have a pitot and tubing from a speedo on an old boat. It looks in good shape, are Faria interchangable with Telflex? As for the gas tank I have a home made metal tank under the closed bow of my boat. What should I do about that? Where would I get a trim sending unit?

Thanks again

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Install Boat Gauges

Trim gauges and the sender must be compatable just like the fuel gauge and fuel sender. You get a trim sender at the dealer that sells the brand of outboard or I/O that you have. If you have a home made metal tank in bow, I hope it has an anti-siphon valve in it. To add the sender you need to make a hole with mounting hole patterns that match the sender. Since you bought Faria gauges why are you asking if they are compatable with Teleflex? They are -- but just curious why the question.

 

[wildwood11]

Re: Install Boat Gauges

The reason I ask if they are compatable is I have a telflex spedo I bought years ago with the tubing etc. So I could use that with the new set of gauges. The gauges I bought did not come with the tubing and pitot, trim sender or sending unit for fuel tank. As for the fuel, what if I use a normal large size red plastic fuel tank. Can I still use a sender with it?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Install Boat Gauges

You can't use a sender on a plastic tank because there is no way to seal the sender to prevent gas seepage. No -- you cannot get by with sheet metal screws. That is not a good idea. The Speedometer is not an electrical gauge so it is compatable with any gauge from any manufacturer -- except possibly for appearance. The hose and pitot are also standard items. Depending on what engine you have, it may already have a pitot built inito it.