My '87 DV18 thread...

[CobaltRick]

Ok.. After looking at some of the older threads I decided to not have a pile of separate threads, but instead create a single thread to follow whatever it is I'm trying to fix/upgrade,etc.. If I could I'd merge my separate seat thread here but waited too long and couldn't rename the thread. Oh well..

So, my first question revolves around the dash switches..

Here's the overall dash cluster..

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Here's the switch cluster for the left side..

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And the right side..

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My question is what are all of these aux switches connected to? Seems like a lot of spare switches and I've got NO idea what (if anything) they're connected to. Some of these switches light up and others appear to be dead -- perhaps the switch or circuit breaker is DOA. I thought that perhaps the 12V outlets were switched but that isn't the case. Thoughts?

Also, in the right side of the dash, the switch for the dash lights doesn't appear to work -- no lights come on (the two black ones I gather) and the red lamp next to the switch doesn't light. Any thoughts on what typically fails with these circuits?

[CobaltRick]

Not that I've been doing ANYTHING on the boat, which is sitting covered in my front yard for now as I'm doing a brake job on a friends car in my garage..

Anyway, I did order last Saturday a bunch of trailer parts to do some much needed trailer mods for my galvanized baby.. I'll take pics and post here as I do them for your amusement -- those items (coming from Floria -- from BoatTrailerParts.com) should be here Friday sometime.

[nolaboater99]

RIck, the boat IS 32 yeas old and the switches, lights or circuit breakers could be bad. You might look into changing them.

The AUX switches were not usually assigned to anything. They were/are there for the owner to use as needed. You could use one as a power switch to a GPS or depth gauge.
Shawn

[nolaboater99]

There is another option....When I restored my 1985 CM23 I went from this....

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To this....

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But in my case I was updating and not just restoring. I went through the whole panel with new gauges and switchgear.
BTW I still have some of the original gauges that look just like your if you need any as well as some teak trim pieces I did not reuse.
Shawn

[CobaltRick]

Thanks guys..! Somehow I missed your two replies til now.. at some point, perhaps during the winter, I’ll try to go through the various circuits to see what’s what and what needs fixing (breakers, etc)...

For today, I’m working on the trailer upgrades.. I’ve installed a new hitch, Jack, rear bunk guide-ons, and small front bunks to hold the nose of the boat up.. I just need a few more upgrades and the trailer will be about done..

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[CobaltRick]

My question for now revolves around the winch safety chain.. there may be a better name for it but I don’t know..

The chain that runs from the back of the winch mounting bracket is currently attached to the spare tire mount with a pair of zip ties.. lol

What should this chain be connected to.. Should it have a dedicated attachment point or ?? This trailer is galvanized so there’s no welded on attach point at this time. Thoughts..??

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[akorcovelos]

Mine is bolted to the winch mount. Those must be some heavy duty zip ties, lol. That steering wheel looks like it would melt your skin off if it sat in the sun for 5 minutes!

[CobaltRick]

One other unrelated question.. I’ve not put gas in this boat yet as it came with a mostly full tank (38 gallons).. it’s down to less than 1/8th and will need to be filled next time it’s headed for the lake. I’m assuming I can take it to my local gas station (Costco in my case) and fill it like my truck or car.. right..? I’m in California where nozzles are different than most other states.. I just wanted to check beforehand. If you’ve got any wisdom on filling it, I’m all ears!

[akorcovelos]

As long as you have the trailer setup to be level, or slightly nose down it will fill like any other vehicle. If you have it nose high fuel will go up the vent and spill out before you can get the tank full. Even nose down it will burp a bit out the vent, so when you get close to full slow the pump down so you can hear when it gets close to the filler neck.

[CobaltRick]

Mine is bolted to the winch mount. Those must be some heavy duty zip ties, lol. That steering wheel looks like it would melt your skin off if it sat in the sun for 5 minutes!

What is the purpose for the chain anyway..? In my case it’s attached at the other end to the arm that the winch is mounted to.. as for the steering wheel, I imagine it probably would unless the Bimini is used which covers it nicely

[CobaltRick]

As long as you have the trailer setup to be level, or slightly nose down it will fill like any other vehicle. If you have it nose high fuel will go up the vent and spill out before you can get the tank full. Even nose down it will burp a bit out the vent, so when you get close to full slow the pump down so you can hear when it gets close to the filler neck.

Thanks! Where is the vent for the gas tank located..? Or what does it look like..?

[Bfun220]

Looks like your chain maybe too short. I think the zip ties end should go to the bow loop.

[Big Block Power]

As long as you have the trailer setup to be level, or slightly nose down it will fill like any other vehicle. If you have it nose high fuel will go up the vent and spill out before you can get the tank full. Even nose down it will burp a bit out the vent, so when you get close to full slow the pump down so you can hear when it gets close to the filler neck.

Thanks! Where is the vent for the gas tank located..? Or what does it look like..?

It close to where ever your gas fill is.
I never realized I don't have any pictures of that side of the boat.

[CobaltRick]

Ok.. I know where it is.. mines located on the back of the boat.. the bilge port must be the white plastic looking vent on the right side of the boat.. thanks so much!!

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[Mike in SC]

Although I can't see the end of the "safety" chain that's run up into the winch, it looks like the zip ties are just there to keep the hook from swinging around. If the other end of that chain is held by one of the winch stand bolts, then you just need to attach the hook to the bow eye when trailering. You might need to adjust the length of the chain. And I think a hook with a spring eye will stay on the bow eye better...