What started as simply adding a black panel of Starboard (to rearrange existing gauges) has morphed into now wanting to add some gauges. After input from various sources, I am thinking about adding a Tach, Oil Pressure and Water Temp. gauges. I currently only have a fuel gauge, tilt/trim and compass. I have some questions…please bear with me.
Is this a do it yourself job? I built most of my own house and am
a pretty competent handyman but have not done anything like this
before.
Are all gauges created equal? Will any gauges work w/a 70 HP,
2-stroke Yamaha?
When you buy gauges do they come with all you need (except
connectors, etc)?
Are there any other gauges I should consider? I can’t see needing
a speedo as I don’t care how fast I am going, may eliminate the
tilt/trim gauage as I can see the motor and will probably add a
new fuel gauge.
Am I forgetting anything, anything I should consider? Thanks for everything folks!
Tach should be really easy, and they’re all created equal for the most part.
Your engine wiring harness will have the following wires: purple (ignition), gray (tach signal), and black (ground, duh). They hook stright up to the tach via ring terminals (you make). Then you’ll have to ask Google or someone else on here what the tach “pulse” settings should be.
You don’t need oil pressure for a two stroke because, well, it’s a two stroke.
And I have no idea where to start on the water temp… I imagine you can tap into the existing sensor on the motor, but I don’t have the slightest idea how to go about calibrating it, etc. Personally I’d just rely on the buzzer…
The only other gauge I’d consider is a volt gauge, but it’s not really necessary. It’s just kinda nice to be able to monitor the state of the battery & motor charging system, and it’s super-duper easy to put one in.
Most of your GPS units now have voltage monitoring built in on one of the displays. Depending on what electronics you install most of the engine monitoring is available, you only need to install the sensor,
volt gauge 3 wires purple for power black for ground blue for backlight
tach 4 wires green for signal yellow for power black for ground blue for backlight
water temp you will need to install a sensor on the head
and other than the sensor wire, the rest is like the volt gauge