Lighting for switch panel

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  • seanV18
    Seasoned Member
    • Jan 2017
    • 474

    Lighting for switch panel

    Anyone have any lighting they have set up to shine on the switch panel at the helm? I'm getting tired of shinning my phone on it to see just what switch I'm turning on at night. Im thinking of wiring an accent light to the panel gauge light switch.
    Santa Cruz CA
    1981 3270
    1991 2556
  • builderdude
    BOC Site Team
    • Oct 2013
    • 11375

    #2
    That sounds like a reasonable solution. I’ve been “remodeling” my lower helm, gauge cluster, and related switches in an attempt to improve the user interface for the same reason.
    Where’s that dang horn button again🥴
    Dave
    Edmonds, WA
    "THE FIX" '93 2556
    Carbureted 383 Vortec-Bravo II
    The Rebuild Of My 2556 https://www.baylinerownersclub.org/f...76?view=thread
    My Misc. Projects
    https://www.baylinerownersclub.org/f...56-gctid789773

    Comment

    • Pcpete
      Supporting Member
      • Aug 2016
      • 6520

      #3
      You might think about a switch with a light in it that stays on so you don’t have to dig out your phone to find the switch.
      P/C Pete
      Edmonds Yacht Club (Commodore 1993)
      1988 3818 "GLAUBEN”
      Hino EH700 175 Onan MDKD Genset
      MMSI 367770440

      Comment

      • seanV18
        Seasoned Member
        • Jan 2017
        • 474

        #4
        Originally posted by Pcpete
        You might think about a switch with a light in it that stays on so you don’t have to dig out your phone to find the switch.
        I like it! Wonder if I could replace the panel gauge cluster light switch with an illuminated toggle, then link my additional light to that circuit. That way even in the complete dark all I have to do is aim for the light on the dash.


        Product images carousel, showing slide 1 of 1SIERRA–Toggle Duckbill Illuminated On-Off, SPST Blue

        (0)0 stars, 0 reviews, skips to reviews
        $8.29
        Santa Cruz CA
        1981 3270
        1991 2556

        Comment

        • Traxxas
          Frequent Contributor
          • Jan 2019
          • 104

          #5
          Have you thought about those motion-sensor battery LED lights? They last like forever too.

          Comment

          • Norton_Rider
            Guru
            • Apr 2007
            • 4624

            #6
            You may want to try some instrument panel post lights.




            1999 3788, Cummins 270 "Freedom"
            2013 Boston Whaler 130 SS
            Anacortes, WA
            Isla Verde, PR

            Comment


            • builderdude
              builderdude commented
              Editing a comment
              I like those 👍🏼

            • C-ya
              C-ya commented
              Editing a comment
              My boat has one like those but with an incandescent bulb. I may upgrade it to one of those LED ones.
          • seanV18
            Seasoned Member
            • Jan 2017
            • 474

            #7
            Those things look perfect! We may have the optimum combo here. This is why I love this forum.

            Thanks guys!!!
            Santa Cruz CA
            1981 3270
            1991 2556

            Comment

            • CBAB
              Supporting Member
              • Feb 2017
              • 78

              #8
              Many of the Bayliners used Carling V series switches. Carling also makes direct replacements that are LED lighted and the rockers can be purchased with common or custom labels. For the lighted rocker switches you would have to daisy chain a ground wire.
              Chuck
              2002 3988 / Cummins 330s
              Los Angeles

              Comment

              • Norton_Rider
                Guru
                • Apr 2007
                • 4624

                #9
                Originally posted by CBAB
                Many of the Bayliners used Carling V series switches. Carling also makes direct replacements that are LED lighted and the rockers can be purchased with common or custom labels. For the lighted rocker switches you would have to daisy chain a ground wire.
                Many late 90s Bayliners used Carling look alike switches with metric body dimensions. As a result a standard Carling type switch will not fit the panel without having to enlarge the rectangular hole.
                1999 3788, Cummins 270 "Freedom"
                2013 Boston Whaler 130 SS
                Anacortes, WA
                Isla Verde, PR

                Comment

                • seanV18
                  Seasoned Member
                  • Jan 2017
                  • 474

                  #10
                  My post light came in and I will be installing this weekend. I'm wondering about my lighted toggle switch being on all of the time. I know it is a minimal power draw but still. What if I didn't use the toggle and just hooked the post light to the ignition? This way when the key is turned to the first click (that activates the gauges) the post light also turns on allowing me good visibility of the other panel switches. Any pros and cons to this method? Also any suggestions on how and where I might tie into the ignition wiring? The post light has two wires +/- .
                  Santa Cruz CA
                  1981 3270
                  1991 2556

                  Comment

                  • builderdude
                    BOC Site Team
                    • Oct 2013
                    • 11375

                    #11
                    That’d work fine IMO. You could connect to the same + terminal that all the gauge positives connect to.
                    Dave
                    Edmonds, WA
                    "THE FIX" '93 2556
                    Carbureted 383 Vortec-Bravo II
                    The Rebuild Of My 2556 https://www.baylinerownersclub.org/f...76?view=thread
                    My Misc. Projects
                    https://www.baylinerownersclub.org/f...56-gctid789773

                    Comment


                    • seanV18
                      seanV18 commented
                      Editing a comment
                      Awesome! Thanks. I assume there must be a ground bar in there somewhere to connect the black wire?
                  • builderdude
                    BOC Site Team
                    • Oct 2013
                    • 11375

                    #12
                    Yes, negative buss is located at the bottom corner of the OEM fuse panel.
                    Dave
                    Edmonds, WA
                    "THE FIX" '93 2556
                    Carbureted 383 Vortec-Bravo II
                    The Rebuild Of My 2556 https://www.baylinerownersclub.org/f...76?view=thread
                    My Misc. Projects
                    https://www.baylinerownersclub.org/f...56-gctid789773

                    Comment

                    • Norton_Rider
                      Guru
                      • Apr 2007
                      • 4624

                      #13
                      Originally posted by seanV18

                      My post light came in and I will be installing this weekend.
                      Cool! Post a photo of the finished job.
                      1999 3788, Cummins 270 "Freedom"
                      2013 Boston Whaler 130 SS
                      Anacortes, WA
                      Isla Verde, PR

                      Comment

                      • seanV18
                        Seasoned Member
                        • Jan 2017
                        • 474

                        #14
                        Hooked up light as described and everything looked great. Only thing is the light I ordered was supposed to be white and it shines red. Looks really cool and does illuminate the switch panel. We took Hope out for a sunset cruise tonight and ran until dark. It still is a little hard to see (my eyes are not the best). I think if I swap it out for a white light I may have a winner. Wife really likes the look of the red and says its great. (her eyes are 10 years younger than mine!)
                        Santa Cruz CA
                        1981 3270
                        1991 2556

                        Comment

                        • builderdude
                          BOC Site Team
                          • Oct 2013
                          • 11375

                          #15
                          Red is good for night time👍🏼
                          Dave
                          Edmonds, WA
                          "THE FIX" '93 2556
                          Carbureted 383 Vortec-Bravo II
                          The Rebuild Of My 2556 https://www.baylinerownersclub.org/f...76?view=thread
                          My Misc. Projects
                          https://www.baylinerownersclub.org/f...56-gctid789773

                          Comment

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