opening up dash on 10 meter

jhalb · Post by **jhalb** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:07 am

I need to check the connections inside my dash on my 1983 10 meter express. There are thumb screws on the back and regular screws on the front. Is this all that holds the dash top on?

Mike Kulp · Post by **Mike Kulp** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:56 am

It is on mine then you kind of flip the dash forward and you will find a rats nest of wires.

jhalb · Post by **jhalb** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:07 am

Mike Kulp wrote:It is on mine then you kind of flip the dash forward and you will find a rats nest of wires.

Thanks, my portside battery tach quit working and when I tapped it, it came to life. Now it works but has the shakes. I think the connection needs cleaned or tightened.

jhalb · Post by **jhalb** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 12:44 pm

Battery gauge, not tach

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:09 pm

yes, on the fasteners. What I do, is stand it up on end and use an Irwin clamp fastened to the windshield frame. It's really the only way you can work on the wiring gauges for any extended period of time.

Bob

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:14 am

BobCT wrote:yes, on the fasteners. What I do, is stand it up on end and use an Irwin clamp fastened to the windshield frame. It's really the only way you can work on the wiring gauges for any extended period of time.

Bob

....... and I 've been using a coathanger all these years !

What is an Irwin Clamp?

ANOTHER TIP:

if you find the screw bases are stripped out, take some tiny pieces of starboard and countersing a couple of tiny screw holes to fasten them in as backing plates for the new screws.

WORKS GREAT !

RWS

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:14 am

It's one of those adjustable wood clamps that you can buy at HD or Lowes. Irwin is the brand name. You can pick up a pair for about $20.

I keep two on board and they work great for the instrument panel.

jhalb · Post by **jhalb** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 1:52 pm

Does the compass need to come off. It only opens up a couple of inches then hits the windshield.

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:17 pm

If you do it my way, no. You'll be pulling the forward part towards you and then basically standing upright.

I don't know if the Express helm setup is different enough that this won't work.

Bob