zelatore
05-25-2009, 08:30 PM
While I was off playing last the last two weekends (and not getting anything done on the Donzi) the parts for my new dash came in.
Went with Livorsi from Harbormaster. 100 mph GPS speedo ('cause I'll need it, right? :wink:), 6000 rpm tach, fuel level, water temp, voltage, oil pressure, fuel pressure, & boost/vacuum + their military toggle switches. The sounder is the unit I had in before, just a generic thing. I'll probably end up replacing it eventually with a Livorsi as well to get a better match. (the hole just to the right of the dash is where the sounder had been before.
I ordered the engine turned stainless as a 24x8 sheet from FPM metals and had my brother cut it on a waterjet at his place. I should have ordered a thicker piece of metal, as it was too flimsy once I put the gauges in it - it wanted to bow when I started clamping them down. It might have pulled back OK once it was in the boat, but instead I took a piece of 1/16" aluminum I had on-hand and made a backer for it. Of course, I didn't realize it would be too flimsy until after I had built it all up, so I ended up taking it all back apart to make a template, cut it, then glue it together with 4200.
I had to cut the dash opening bigger to accommodate the new layout of course, but that wasn't any big deal. At least until I broke a blade on my sazall and scratched the fiberglass right through the painter's tape I had laid out. Not bad...I doubt anybody will notice it except me.
I put the GPS antenna on the centerline under the windshield, and the recall switch over on the right side above the captain's call switch.
And since I had a few scraps left over, I made a small plate out of on of the large cut-outs to mount the key switch and it's circuit breaker to the right of the wheel.
I eliminated the the 12v outlet, though I might bring it back someday.
Eventually, the Stainless Marine mechanical indicators will go right in the curve of the dash to the right of the wheel and I'll move the tab rockers to the horizontal flat above the throttle. It's going to be a PITA to mount the indicators since I'll have to make a curved filler to let them lay flat against the curve of the dash.
Still plenty to do - I haven't installed the senders for the fuel pressure or boost yet, and I haven't tested anything since I haven't got the batteries back in the boat yet either. I also have to have a sign shop make me some labels for the switches. This project took longer than expected (what else is new?) since I basically had to make a second dash out of scrap aluminum, but at least I'm moving forward again!
Hopefully, I'll get it wet next weekend!
Went with Livorsi from Harbormaster. 100 mph GPS speedo ('cause I'll need it, right? :wink:), 6000 rpm tach, fuel level, water temp, voltage, oil pressure, fuel pressure, & boost/vacuum + their military toggle switches. The sounder is the unit I had in before, just a generic thing. I'll probably end up replacing it eventually with a Livorsi as well to get a better match. (the hole just to the right of the dash is where the sounder had been before.
I ordered the engine turned stainless as a 24x8 sheet from FPM metals and had my brother cut it on a waterjet at his place. I should have ordered a thicker piece of metal, as it was too flimsy once I put the gauges in it - it wanted to bow when I started clamping them down. It might have pulled back OK once it was in the boat, but instead I took a piece of 1/16" aluminum I had on-hand and made a backer for it. Of course, I didn't realize it would be too flimsy until after I had built it all up, so I ended up taking it all back apart to make a template, cut it, then glue it together with 4200.
I had to cut the dash opening bigger to accommodate the new layout of course, but that wasn't any big deal. At least until I broke a blade on my sazall and scratched the fiberglass right through the painter's tape I had laid out. Not bad...I doubt anybody will notice it except me.
I put the GPS antenna on the centerline under the windshield, and the recall switch over on the right side above the captain's call switch.
And since I had a few scraps left over, I made a small plate out of on of the large cut-outs to mount the key switch and it's circuit breaker to the right of the wheel.
I eliminated the the 12v outlet, though I might bring it back someday.
Eventually, the Stainless Marine mechanical indicators will go right in the curve of the dash to the right of the wheel and I'll move the tab rockers to the horizontal flat above the throttle. It's going to be a PITA to mount the indicators since I'll have to make a curved filler to let them lay flat against the curve of the dash.
Still plenty to do - I haven't installed the senders for the fuel pressure or boost yet, and I haven't tested anything since I haven't got the batteries back in the boat yet either. I also have to have a sign shop make me some labels for the switches. This project took longer than expected (what else is new?) since I basically had to make a second dash out of scrap aluminum, but at least I'm moving forward again!
Hopefully, I'll get it wet next weekend!