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opening up dash on 10 meter

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:07 am
by jhalb
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?

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:56 am
by Mike Kulp
It is on mine then you kind of flip the dash forward and you will find a rats nest of wires.

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:07 am
by jhalb
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.

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 12:44 pm
by jhalb
Battery gauge, not tach

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:09 pm
by BobCT
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

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:14 am
by RWS
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

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:14 am
by BobCT
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.

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 1:52 pm
by jhalb
Does the compass need to come off. It only opens up a couple of inches then hits the windshield.

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:17 pm
by BobCT
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