1998 252 updating thread

[akorcovelos]

That looks sharp! Next time you’re fighting washers like that put a little dab of grease on the washer. The grease will hid it in place while you put the nut on.

[xlint89]

Thanks Akor. Got my new dimmer switch today. I actually got the Oznium one for a couple dollars more as it claims to be waterproof. In reality, it's pretty small in size too.



Hayzuse, I don't want to step on any vendors toes by advertising a non-paying competitor for this site. If you google Faria Chesapeke gauges, you'll get all the sites with their prices.

I chose those because they have a variety of gauges all in that style.

[xlint89]

Before and after

[AsLan7]

.
Nice refresh X.
Definitely makes it look more modern.

[xlint89]

Thanks Aslan.

I got to say under the steering wheel the original wood looked pristine and was beautiful. It would have been really sharp when it was new.

The GF asked if we could replicate that because it looked that nice.

[xlint89]

Chasing a gremlin.

Battery + going to new GPS speedometer is powering instrument lights on different gauges. WITHOUT any switches being turned on.

With the battery 12V + hooked up to the speedometer, and you put the tester light on the grounding block under the helm and touch the ground wire from the GPS, you get a weak light.

In the last pic you can see almost all the wires have been disconnected except for the battery 12v+, the lighting wire, and it could be the temp signal wire, the oil sender signal wire, or the ground wire, and the light comes on in the multi function gauge.

Going to put a call into Faria and see if I have a problem with the gauge itself.

[akorcovelos]

I hate chasing electric faults...the helm looks awesome, great job!

[Big Block Power]

Chasing a gremlin.

Watch out for this one if you find him. Don't get it wet!
If you find the blue one tread lightly

[jhnmdahl]

Thanks Akor. Got my new dimmer switch today. I actually got the Oznium one for a couple dollars more as it claims to be waterproof. In reality, it's pretty small in size too.



Hayzuse, I don't want to step on any vendors toes by advertising a non-paying competitor for this site. If you google Faria Chesapeke gauges, you'll get all the sites with their prices.

I chose those because they have a variety of gauges all in that style.

We’re pretty loose about that kind of thing - member interest comes first. Our “supporting vendors” don’t pay the site anything, but offer a discount to forum members. Thanks for thinking of the board,

John

[xlint89]

I'm at a cross roads about this.

I contacted Faria tech support today and the guy couldn't help too much other than make suggestions like, try tying the 12v + and the ignition wires together. Try running an independent power and ground directly to the battery. Try hooking it to your car and see if it works. He felt if the gauge was shorting out internally, it would not work. He then asked where I got it from, and mentioned if I found the gauge to be bad to return it back to the place I purchased it from.

So went back tonight armed with a little more testing stuff. First thing I did was measure how much voltage was coming out of the speedo gauge ground wire. (8 volts = dim test light)

Tried independent ground and positive wires running directly to the battery = not much changed

Tied the ignition and 12v + together and everything seems to work as it should, kind of. (This seems like a Bandaid fix since the directions show separate connections)

The trivial problems I have with this particular gauge are as follows:

1. This is the only gauge in this line that has it's own provided LED light. All other lights us an incandescent wedge bulb for illumination.

2. The provided LED does not seem compatible with a dimmer switch. (It will flicker unless set at full power on the dimmer switch)

3. The provided LED is somewhat dim in appearance compared to the other gauges.

4. The provided LED does not match the light color of the other gauges. I have LED replacement bulbs that are brighter and seem to be a bluer color. Although the Tach color seems to be a bit off too for being the same bulb.

5. The light does not come on unless the speedo gauge is "on" (key on position) While all other gauges light up from just turning on the switch.

So that's my dilemma.

I keep the GPS speedo gauge with a dimmer, off color light compared to the others and cannot use the dimmer switch. Or... I get the traditional pitot tube speedometer that will match light bulb color, but will lose my compass since I removed the stock one to install the multi function gauge.

This is the instance where I want my cake and eat it too.

[xlint89]

Decided to keep the GPS speedometer for now. Using the "band aid" install with tying the 12v+ and the ignition switch + together. Doing this allows the speedometer to only be powered up via the ignition switch. I've eliminated the dimmer switch from the circuit since the GPS LED is not dimmable. The switch is still installed, just disconnected from the lighting circuit.

[xlint89]

Gel coat has been brought back to life. It's not perfect, but it's a lot better than it was. The top half was pretty dull and heavily oxidized. So was the bottom.

[rabiddawg]

Looking good!!

[Big Block Power]

I like the colors on your hull! Very sharp!

[xlint89]

Thanks guys.

Now I gotta do something with the swim platform. It's too slippery for my liking.