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essentials for a dashboard?

O

Old Hickory

Active member
getting ready to start plugging holes on my dash and began to map out where I want my new gauges. Got to thinking that I really don't know what brand I want or what I really want or need. If I get everything I want; my dash will look like the cockpit of a 747(running twins):irked: So heres my question in three parts:

1. What brands do you prefer?

2. aside from speedo and tach, what do you guys think are must haves for an outboard?

3. what can you live without?

Hick
 
forgot to post my essentials list; remember, I'm running twins.

1- Speedometer
1- fuel gauge
2- tachometers
2- trim meters

gauges I want, but could live without....I think ...LOL

2- water pressure(this is one I have been wishy washy on; running twins it might be essential)
2- water temp( cant decide if it's more important than pressure)
1- compass
2- volt meters

does anybody run an engine temp on a 2 stroke?

Give me your opinions, thanks

Hick
 
If you value your powerheads you'll want temp gages.Thats the one gage I keep a constant eye on! I would not be without one with a v-6.And pressure and volt gages are always nice to have too!And toggle switches,I like lots of switches.Interior lighting,custom getting laid lighting.(see wildman's work).Then theres music BIG MUSIC coming out of everywhere.Ect. Ect. Ect. GOOD LUCK! Lets see a real CAL-Custom job.
:cheers:
 
temp of the Moto/block/water.what ever u want to call it.Real race guys even temp thier exhust on each side.

That 2.5 of mine will smoke its self in a blink of an eye if I don't shut it down if the temp gets near halfway point.
 
I have been toying with the idea of getting a depth finder/sounder what ever you choose to call it. Just something simple and small to blend in with the dash. As I have had a few situations when I ran out of water.



2703291337098080_1.jpg
 
I agree with merc245, the water temp gauge is a must. At least for a piece of mind.:thumb: Personally I would go with the water pressure gauges as well.
 
Thanks guys for your input. I believe I'll be adding the temp gauge and the compass to my list of essentials. I agree that a depth finder would be nice too. But I won't be putting it in my dash. I plan on using a Garmin system that will give me both navigation and depth. I'll have a bracket some where close so it can be removed and used in my vehicle as well.

Interesting several of you have mentioned Livorsi; thats the brand I was leaning towards. But I can still be swayed at this point:)

Hick
 
Sorry guys, I would dissagree on the temp gage issue. I'd rather have water pressure. The biggest culprit for overheating is water pressure...if you lose it, the motor is going to overheat and blow. On my Pulsare I have the water pressure and temp gage side by side on angled bezels in the middle of the dash. I tend to watch the pressure gage more than the temp gage. When I raced Offshore, the gages I was taught to focus on was the water pressure and oil pressure gages (yes, they were I/O's). We had BIG bright dummy lights on the dash if the motor lost either and my job was to pull the plug if the lights came on! (better to shut down then blow a $40K motor!) So...I would have two tachs, one speedo, two water pressure, one gas, two trim gages, kill switch as a minimum. You could do away with the volt gages, hour meters (or mount them near the transom or under the rear seat). If you have room, you could mount non essential gages on the gunnel by the shifters. My jackplate switch is located on the horizontal plane just forward and to the right of my throttle...so I can reach over with my fingers and hit the switch while throttling.
 
JUPITER PULSARE said:
Sorry guys, I would dissagree on the temp gage issue. I'd rather have water pressure. The biggest culprit for overheating is water pressure...if you lose it, the motor is going to overheat and blow. On my Pulsare I have the water pressure and temp gage side by side on angled bezels in the middle of the dash. I tend to watch the pressure gage more than the temp gage. When I raced Offshore, the gages I was taught to focus on was the water pressure and oil pressure gages (yes, they were I/O's). We had BIG bright dummy lights on the dash if the motor lost either and my job was to pull the plug if the lights came on! (better to shut down then blow a $40K motor!) So...I would have two tachs, one speedo, two water pressure, one gas, two trim gages, kill switch as a minimum. You could do away with the volt gages, hour meters (or mount them near the transom or under the rear seat). If you have room, you could mount non essential gages on the gunnel by the shifters. My jackplate switch is located on the horizontal plane just forward and to the right of my throttle...so I can reach over with my fingers and hit the switch while throttling.
Click to expand...

JP,

Thanks, this is the type of info I really need to hear. So... my essentials will be speedo, tach, trim, and water pressure.LOL This was exactly why I was back and forth on the pressure vs temp gauge or both. I knew if I lost pressure I'd begin to run hot; but there could be more than one reason for this to occur. Just couldn't sort out the likely hood due to my inexperience. kind of stuck on the chicken or the egg argument.

I can only think of two reasons a 2 stroke would over heat: lack of lubricant and lack of coolant; any other reason? The way I see it in my neanderthal way of thinking; there isn't a economical way of truly monitoring fuel to oil ratio and if you motor overheats due to lack of lube the power is already fubar on multiple levels. If it over heats due to drop in coolant(water pressure) this gives you a bit of an early warning... possibly saving you alot of stress and monetary pain... am I getting close?

Bottom line....I only have so much room on my dash and need gauges for two motors. Thanks again; this will help me quantify what ever I decide

Hick
 
Last edited:
mrmeaner said:
This may be a dumb question, but the depth reads from a transducer, right? I can't imagine anything else being accurate enough, but I've been wrong once or twice before. ;)
Click to expand...

Garmin makes several fish finders that are also gps units as well; antennae for gps and transducer for depth. They also have a couple of small gps units that are compatible with a add on depth finding module(computer)/ transducer kit. The modual looks kind of like an amp and stays behind in the boat. The gps can be removed and used in both you car or boat. Just can't remember the model(s). This was on a thread awhile back and I believe several guys here use the set up. It's pretty slick and gives MPH; navigation and depth, all on the same screen. I have all the info filed away; I'll look it up and try to post later. In the meanwhile; maybe someone can find the thread or post their set up.:D

Hick
 
I just rather know what my $8000 long block is up to than a $50 impeller.My advice is simply have both.
 
Old Hickory said:
Garmin makes several fish finders that are also gps units as well; antennae for gps and transducer for depth. They also have a couple of small gps units that are compatible with a add on depth finding module(computer)/ transducer kit. The modual looks kind of like an amp and stays behind in the boat. The gps can be removed and used in both you car or boat. Just can't remember the model(s). This was on a thread awhile back and I believe several guys here use the set up. It's pretty slick and gives MPH; navigation and depth, all on the same screen. I have all the info filed away; I'll look it up and try to post later. In the meanwhile; maybe someone can find the thread or post their set up.:D

Hick
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! The split unit seems like it would be very useful, although I'm sure it's much more expensive. Would you happen to know if they list lakeside locations (public ramps, gas, restaurants, etc.)?

Even with GPS, I'm sure my wife will still tell me where to go though...
 
I'll try to keep this short...

This is my first boat with a depth finder, and I will never have one without it again. Performance prop= $400+. Lab job=300+. Total $700. (you can DOUBLE that # with twins) SOLD yet??
  1. Water guage- yes absolutely
  2. Temp guage- yes absolutely
  3. If you run any High Performance/built stuff EGT's are a must. Ran them with my 280 (will save a 2.5 from frying everyday of the week). Have them in place for the 300 but dont need em (to many alarms already)
  4. Trim- optional, but I like it.
I wanted livorsi gauges in my new boat, but Kip talked me into the Eddie Marine Elites Series.

It was a good choice, they are less expensive and the customer support is absolutely the best of any product I have ever purchased.....and I have lots of products in my garage cuz I spend way to much money on toys!

Good luck, I can't wait to hear it is ready to splash!
 
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