Predictor Gauges

[jrs1958]

Hello all…I’ve finished installing my floor and the seat bases. I’ve hosed the hull out and I’m getting ready to redo the gauges, next. Since all my gauges are 20+ years old, I’m looking to replacing all of them and adding a few more. Here’s what I’m looking to get:

Speedometer 0-80 mph
Tachometer 0-8000 rpm O/B
Voltmeter
Fuel
Water Pressure
O/B water Temperature
Lower Gearbox Temperature (maybe)
Depth Gauge

To the Starboard side of the steering wheel there’s space to cut a 10.5” X 6” rectangular hole in the dash. The plan is to make a ¼” aluminum plate to mount some of the gauges. I also want to do the same thing on the port side of the steering wheel to mount the rest of the gauges along with switches and breakers. I’m trying to avoid dash gauge cups.

1.) Will cutting large holes in the dash structurally weaken the hull?
2.) Will ¼” aluminum be enough? Or should I make some back plates?
3.) Has anyone used the Eastwood Hot Metal Coat Stuff? On aluminum?
4.) What’s a good manufacturer of small marine gauges?

I’ll be posting some photos of this project as things progress. I’ll be trying to cram 8 gauges, 4 rocker switches, 8 breakers, a horn button, dash/compass light dimmer control and a bilge switch into a Predictor.

1984 Predictor 1968 Mercury 1250 I-6 125 HP

[jrs1958]

Hello all…I’ve finished installing my floor and the seat bases. I’ve hosed the hull out and I’m getting ready to redo the gauges, next. Since all my gauges are 20+ years old, I’m looking to replacing all of them and adding a few more. Here’s what I’m looking to get:

Speedometer 0-80 mph
Tachometer 0-8000 rpm O/B
Voltmeter
Fuel
Water Pressure
O/B water Temperature
Lower Gearbox Temperature (maybe)
Depth Gauge

To the Starboard side of the steering wheel there’s space to cut a 10.5” X 6” rectangular hole in the dash. The plan is to make a ¼” aluminum plate to mount some of the gauges. I also want to do the same thing on the port side of the steering wheel to mount the rest of the gauges along with switches and breakers. I’m trying to avoid dash gauge cups.

1.) Will cutting large holes in the dash structurally weaken the hull?
2.) Will ¼” aluminum be enough? Or should I make some back plates?
3.) Has anyone used the Eastwood Hot Metal Coat Stuff? On aluminum?
4.) What’s a good manufacturer of small marine gauges?

I’ll be posting some photos of this project as things progress. I’ll be trying to cram 8 gauges, 4 rocker switches, 8 breakers, a horn button, dash/compass light dimmer control and a bilge switch into a Predictor.

1984 Predictor 1968 Mercury 1250 I-6 125 HP

[175checkmate]

I had the same problem on mine when I tryed to add gauges. No room. I found some gauge pods made by Auto meter that mount on a flat surface and the guages mount in side them. Summitracing has them for $19.
In the picture you can see the chrome pods on the dash.



http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/The%20Showroom/checkmate929.jpg

[DONCONVINCER]

Gaffrig has a sweet GPS spedo for about $400 with the reciever, they also have the matching Tach...... You don't have to go to that extream, Teleflex has a full line of guages for a reasonable price.
On mounting the guages, Auto speed shops should have something. There are a lot of pillar mount pods, maybe you could turn them around and mount them on the top of the dash. On my Predictor I made something like the Pulsare Tach and Spedo pods on top of the dash above the steering wheel. I'll have to see if I can find any pictures