top of page
Search
Writer's pictureJames Novak
Dec 20, 20202 min read

Dashboard Wiring

Updated: Feb 17, 2021

Measure twice and cut once....


It was almost painful cutting into the mahogany dash board. I measured over and over again to make sure everything fit.


I put in a 4 switch panel with some USB/lighter outlets + a new steering console + a stereo receiver + a speedometer (or a tach if I want to switch it out later). The fun part was researching everything I needed to make this work. A list of things I purchased are at the end of the post.





First thing I did was get out the graph paper and make a wiring diagram - took me about 3 versions before I got it right. I did end up changing this on the fly a little. I swapped out the radio switch and wired in a horn to the switch instead. The stereo was wired directly to the power instead. Also the gang switch has little lights, so I connected those to the courtesy interior light switch, now gang switch lights come on only when I turn on the interior light switch.


Taping the entire front side allowed me to measure, mark, erase, repeat a number of times before I got it exactly the way I wanted. It also provided some protection when drilling into the wood so the edges wouldn't splinter.



Started with the steering control box to ensure that everything fit around the steering system. The cutout template was easy to use, and lined it all up perfectly.



Next up was the switch panel where I used the rubber gasket as the template for the cut. After drilling 4 holes in the corners used a jigsaw to cut the straight lines. Not my best work, but fine with the top plate covering the cut lines. After that was the stereo 3" hole and getting the horn screwed in, which required a little spacing block. Overall really liking the way its looking.


For the wiring, I installed 2 marine bus bars (one positive and one negative), as well as used heat shrink connectors to keep everything water spray safe. I do plan on using wire guides to hold all the electrical wires down and out of the way for the steering cable, which will need to run through the under dash as well.


Lastly I installed the Faria GPS speedometer. I connected the light on the speedometer to the courtesy light switch as well, so that it lights up on only when I turn the interior lights on.


Very happy with how it looks, can't wait to get it in the boat. Here's the night view, the blue lights will look great with the blue-glow white interior paint colour I'm using.







List of purchased items used:



748 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page