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Voltmeter gauges - different types?

D

Dan Eagle

New member
I'm replacing all the flybridge gauges of my new to me 1987 36' Mainship (twin crusader 270's) because the years of exposure have taken their toll. I bought "Coral" style Faria gauges which are a decent match for the obsolete medallions. All the gauges have been easy to install with identical connections except for the voltmeters. The new Faria has only 2 posts - one designated (+) and one G. OK easy enough - but my original medallion voltmeters have 3 posts - a G with several black grounds , a P with the purple ignition wires and an S which has 3 thicker gauge red/orange wires. Yikes! Would all these go on the (+) of the Faria or do I need a different type gauge? Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Sounds like the original gages used those points for running a common supply/ ground circuit. On my boat, a bunch of wires cross from one gage to another to power them, the lights, ground, etc.

Jeff
 
OK so it sounds like those s terminal wires are not related to the operation of the gauge but rather just parked there as a common block? So to use my new voltmeter gauge (which has no s terminal for those wires like the OEM gauge) what should I do with those 3 hot wires? It would be really difficult to trace them back in the rats nest. can i just combine them independent of the gauge and leave them up there?
 
an "S" post on a gauge is usually for the sender; a voltmeter has none so it is likely somebody used that terminal as a 'buss'...yes, just combine them and isolate them and you should be good...
 
Thanks makomark and Fastjeff - you guys always have the goods! My 3 hot wires that I need to isolate all have o ring connectors - do you have any suggestion for a connector? I guess I could clip the orings and wirenut them but I'm guessing thats not necessarily the preferred boating connection. Thanks for your advice.
 
a short 10-32 bolt and a locknut with a piece of heat shrink would be one way....NO wire nuts, except in an emergency...

You could cut off the ring connectors and just crimp them together using half of a butt connector, too.
 
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