Instrument lights

Not For Hire · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:16 pm Post subject: Instrument lights

I was sort of surprised that my Honda gauges do not have lights. I like to see the trim indicators and tachs at night. Since I am wiring a fan, some red LED lights for the cabin and etc., I thought I should add an instrument light. I propose to add a single red led light on a flexible stalk and light them from the front. Anyone tried this approach? Will it throw a wide enough light to illuminate both sets of gauges?

Thanks,

CAVU · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:50 pm Post subject:

Not for hire,
My 2002 with twin 40HP Hondas and Honda gauges has lights. Yours may not be hooked up. On my boat the gauge wiring harness snakes around from the throttle quadrants under the gunnel and up behind the dash. The harness for each engine will have a gillion wires coming out of it. Each gauge will have a red wire with a white trace. This is the lighting wire. On my boat all these red/white wires from each gauge are connected together and then run over to the nav light switch. This way they will only come on when you turn on your nav lights. Also all the black ground wires must come together and go the the ground buss on the back of the dash. At least that is the way mine is wired. Hope this helps. Oh, as far as your original question, I don't see why one of those led map lights on a flexible stalk wouldn't work. Do you have a 12V outlet handy to plug it into?

Not For Hire · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks CAVU,
I will be fetching my boat home from my friend's barn this weekend or maybe next week. (After all it hasn't snowed for about 12 hours). I have been assembling an assortment of electrical gadgets and wiring, figuring I would redo a bit of it before loading her back up with cushions, bins, galley stuff, etc. I will check the wires, etc. Wouldn't surprise me if this was overlooked by the installation dealer (not a C-Dory dealer by the way).

Thanks,