Instrument panel.

[Sparx]

Good morning.

My boat has a Perkins 4108 engine but the instrument panel is in disarray. Where could i start looking for oil pressure, engine temp, and tachometer? At a reasonable price!

Also the pressure sender and temp sender. Do they have to be each matched up to its particular gauge?

Thanks for any pointers here!

[Tiggs]

I think there is a topic on here about this - worth a search.

 

But I can answer one question, the gauge and the sensors have to be compatible.

 

You also need to be able to fit the sensors in your engine - so need appropriate holes and threads.

 

There appear to quite a few kits on E-Bay with both gauge and sensor, but I've no idea if these are any good.

 

e.g.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-52mm-Oil-Pressure-Meter-Gauge-With-Sensor-PSI-LED-LCD-Universal-Digital-KIT-/131712468251?hash=item1eaaacc51b:g:u6QAAMXQ74JTRkvx

[Sparx]

Thanks mate.

[Ex Brummie]

www.Parts4engines.com is a comprehensive supplier of all things Perkins. They also know their business.

[jonathanA]

Loads of cheap 52mm car type gauges on eBay from the Far East for peanuts with senders. A lot of senders are 1/8 npt thread (which is similar to 1/8 bsp but has different thread pitch I think so not compatible ). Lots of adapters to convert from different sizes, so if you have a 1/8 sender and a 1/4 hole you can get an adapter from any number of suppliers via t'internet or flea bay

[RichardN]

We sent our instrument panel to one of the instrument panel repair specialists - loads if you google. They took a look at and were a bit bewildered, all the panels they see have open backs but boat gauges are sealed units and *vaguely* waterproof. I think the far east ones for peanuts are intended for the inside of nice dry cars, I have no relevant expertise but would hesitate to get a non waterproof panel for a boat.

 

Our panel has got VDO gauges, if yours are the same then worth a call to Siemens VDO Marine Department- 0121 326 1271 as they are very helpful and will tell you if the gauge is still made or if not then what today's part number is. The VDO gauges are sold through Furneaux Riddall and are not cheap. People like ASAP supplies have control panels for sale, probably work out a bit cheaper then buying individual gauges but not sure how good their Faria gauges are, worth researching.

[Iain_S]

We sent our instrument panel to one of the instrument panel repair specialists - loads if you google. They took a look at and were a bit bewildered, all the panels they see have open backs but boat gauges are sealed units and *vaguely* waterproof. I think the far east ones for peanuts are intended for the inside of nice dry cars, I have no relevant expertise but would hesitate to get a non waterproof panel for a boat.

(snip)

 

And the "vaguely" waterproof bit can be a bit of a pain. They seem to attract moisture, which condenses on the glass and is very hard to get rid of. It helps to remove the instrument lighting.

[adrianh]

I have fitted a 'cheap' automotive gauges from E bay, within a couple of years they went rusty so had to purchase Faria from ASAP along with a sensors to match.

They should be able to supply to match your engine. Take care with the oil pressure sensor and check the TPI ( pitch) and do not force in the wrong thread.

Does your tacho take a feed from the alternator auxiliary or from a sensor on the engine flywheel, this gives different rates of input pulse. The tacho's I have seen are adjustable which means you need a manual tacho to read the engine speed and set them up. These can be bought but are not that cheap.

[jonathanA]

 

I think the far east ones for peanuts are intended for the inside of nice dry cars, I have no relevant expertise but would hesitate to get a non waterproof panel for a boat.

 

Ah yes fair point mine are protected from the elements so not a problem . Obviously if exposed then splash proof or Ip rated would be needed. I think faria are but iirc they ain't cheap...