instrument panel - backlighting

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:22 am

about 4 of my instruments won't light up, assuming it's just bulbs. I unscrewed the bezel (screw in ea corner) and tried to pull the gauge out.

Is there something else holding it in place or is it just friction fit? I got some movement but didn't want to break the plastic surround. I only tried one so far.

I guess my first question should be, there is a replaceable bulb correct?

thanks,
Bob

MTP · Post by **MTP** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:51 am

can you get to them from below?

g36 · Post by **g36** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:25 am

on my f32 i had several also, mine are ac guages the originals 1978 if you can get behind the panels (easy on both the flybridge and salon) the bulb socket just pushes into the guage and the problem with mine were just the contact points being dirty. a litte cleaning to shine up the contact points and all lit no bulbs were out. you might also make sure you have good connections. if some work could very well be just this little issue

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:45 am

on the mid cabin, there's an access panel in the cabin which you can see behind the helm/wheel. I don't know how easy it will be to reach up to the instuments though...

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:17 pm

On my 1983 10 Meter express cruiser the instruments are in a "pod" It looks a bit like it's straight out of STAR TREK

The black cover lifts completely off via several phillips head screws and two "skate keys" located behind the top of the panel(forward in nautical terms)

If you have the pod (balck top) style panel it's easy to change the bulbs and you'll find that each and every wire is labeled.

If you have the later style white modular panel I will be of no assistence, as I'm not familiar with those.

RWS

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:51 am

here's some pictures for you...

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:04 pm

nice panel..... i wish my guages were that easy to replace the bulbs on. i'm afraid to go near them. totally confusing when it comes to the bulb issue.

aaron in baltimore.

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:20 am

I'll just remove the whole thing, a couple of the labels are starting to slip so I can take care of that too.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 8:30 am

The wires have numbers that correspond to the schematic that comes with your boat.

The labels and attaching hardware are available from Beacon - Marine Tech.

The labels are actually BACKLIT from the factory, however those connections did not age well.
RWS

Trojan Boat Forum

instrument panel - backlighting

instrument panel - backlighting

hmmm.... sounds like I should try and access from behind.

that helps, that's exactly the setup I have.