Installing new Gauges

[FiremistSLK]

I am about to install a new set of instrument gauges in my boat. I've done this before on another boat but this one is slightly different. The old gauges have PLUGS and the new gauges will be terminals with nuts. My question is about wire colors in the old gauge plugs. I understand that some gauges need a color coded signal wire (oil press for example). However, ALL of the old gauge plugs have a purple, light yellow and a dark blue wire (plus a signal wire if needed). Where are each of the 3 colored wires connected to on the new gauge "terminals"? If I remember correctly, one is for lights, one is ignition....... but no clue for the third wire.

 

[Nater Potater]

With lights, you'd need four wires: Ign, Nav, S, and Ground. That's assuming you're working with the old-school analog gauges.

 

[ZZ13]

 

[techmitch]

I am about to install a new set of instrument gauges in my boat. I've done this before on another boat but this one is slightly different. The old gauges have PLUGS and the new gauges will be terminals with nuts. My question is about wire colors in the old gauge plugs. I understand that some gauges need a color coded signal wire (oil press for example). However, ALL of the old gauge plugs have a purple, light yellow and a dark blue wire (plus a signal wire if needed). Where are each of the 3 colored wires connected to on the new gauge "terminals"? If I remember correctly, one is for lights, one is ignition....... but no clue for the third wire.

What year is your boat, it makes a difference. This is a perfect example of why you should complete you profile that is listed under your avatar.

 

[FiremistSLK]

Sorry techmitch, you are absolutely correct. I just updated my profile. My boat is now a 2007 Chaparral Sunesta 214 with a Mercruiser 5.0L MPI and Alpha 1. This is the boat in which I will be changing the gauges. I hope no one is angry at me for posting a Chaparral question on the CSR forum. It's just that for a general question about boats.... this is by far the BEST forum. I always receive an answer to my questions here. Thanks every one. BTW if anyone would like to see the pictures of the dash panel in my 215 Sea Ray, it is posted in general discussions.

 

[FiremistSLK]

Thanks ZZ13 for that wire color chart. So Purple goes on the "i" terminal, Dark Blue is the gauge lights (probably will be a spade terminal) and the light yellow is the ground. Do I have it right?

 

[techmitch]

Sorry techmitch, you are absolutely correct. I just updated my profile. My boat is now a 2007 Chaparral Sunesta 214 with a Mercruiser 5.0L MPI and Alpha 1. This is the boat in which I will be changing the gauges. I hope no one is angry at me for posting a Chaparral question on the CSR forum. It's just that for a general question about boats.... this is by far the BEST forum. I always receive an answer to my questions here. Thanks every one. BTW if anyone would like to see the pictures of the dash panel in my 215 Sea Ray, it is posted in general discussions.

NP man. It doesn't matter what kind of boat you have.
Just thinking about newer boats with smart craft gauges.

 

[FiremistSLK]

Nader. Thanks for the reply. I should have said MOST of the old gauges have three wires. Some have only two (Dark Blue and Light Yellow) Gauges that do not require a "signal" will not have a fourth (s) wire. And the Speedo does not require power to operate, so no purple (i) wire either.

 

[FiremistSLK]

NP man. It doesn't matter what kind of boat you have.
Just thinking about newer boats with smart craft gauges.

Oh I understand.... No, these are the old analog gauges. Not Smart Craft.

 

[ZZ13]

Thanks ZZ13 for that wire color chart. So Purple goes on the "i" terminal, Dark Blue is the gauge lights (probably will be a spade terminal) and the light yellow is the ground. Do I have it right?

Yup. On my boat backlighting is a spade connector. My ground is black not yellow but looks like yours is yellow.

 

[Skybolt]

Yup ABYC standards changed the wire color of the ground from black to yellow back around 06/07.

EDIT: I should qualify that this is for the DC systems only. AC is the reason they did this because of the hot black wire.

 

[FiremistSLK]

Very interesting.... I did not know that! Thanks.....