Removing Switch Panel

[Jeffrey King]

Hello,
I am hoping someone can help.
I have a switch panel i would like to remove, but i do not see any visible way of removing it.
Here is an example of the panel i am referring to... Please ignore the circled switch. this pic is just for reference.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Phasma]

If there are no visible screws I would think pressure clips. Any way to get a view behind the panel? Mirror? Cell phone photo etc? Maybe pull a lower panel to peak behind

 

[Fill Ess]

I've never seen any official instructions for how to get those out. I did read somewhere that you have to go into the access panel below the helm.

FP Marine sells replacement units, but with their units you actually have to enlarge the openings and then screw in the new panels from the front. Their instruction summary says "remove kidney touchpads" and that's it.

If I had to guess they must pop out but that's only a guess. I might be replacing mine with these FP Marine units soon because a couple of my switches are dead and if I do, I would probably remove my Raymarine touch screen since it's right between the two EIM pads and it would be a lot easier to see than going in underneath. Also if you have one of those lights telescope cameras that would show you the mounts.

 

[KevinC]

Hello,
I am hoping someone can help.
I have a switch panel i would like to remove, but i do not see any visible way of removing it.
Here is an example of the panel i am referring to... Please ignore the circled switch. this pic is just for reference.

Thanks in advance for your help.

You will remove the center helm panel and remove the backing bolts. The picture shows the mounting bolts. Unless you are removing to replace be very careful to not damage the keypad.



-Kevin

 

[Lazy Daze]

Fidn a nearby panel/cubby/whatever than can removed with visible screws. On the backside of your switch panel there will be studs attached - the panel is then held on with nuts. Basically, it's through-bolted.

 

[Fill Ess]

You will remove the center helm panel and remove the backing bolts. The picture shows the mounting bolts. Unless you are removing to replace be very careful to not damage the keypad.

View attachment 104319

-Kevin

Good to know, thanks !!!

 

[KevinC]

One more note on this, if you are replacing your original switchpad and want to keep the burl wood finish the cover can be moved from one unit to the other. Notice the three small screws buried in silicone. If you remove them the cover will come off. This is the only serviceable item on these keypads.

-Kevin

 

[Jeffrey King]

HI,

Thanks to everyone.
This is unfortunately disappointing. The true intent was to remove the panel to gain access to unused switches.

Ok, so this brings up a new discussion. on the panel i want to remove is the ACC1 switch. this is unused. how/where can i find where this terminates so i can use it ?

 

[Lazy Daze]

The pad talks with your EIM and your EIM talks to your accessories... in this case, it's your fwd EIM. In other words, on the downstream side of the EIM, everything turns back to normal 12V things/wiring. There should be plenty of excellent information in your manual about this, but most likely it's under the dash console. Ideally, you should already know about this because the EIM is your breaker panel, too.

 

[Jeffrey King]

Thank you !

 

[KevinC]

Yes do not play at all with the switch pads for this type of work - if you do you will find a very expensive repair bill attached. As @Lazy Daze you will find the EIM under the helm or in the engine room depending on which switch is being used. These will have wire bundles attached. The owners manual will give you a breakdown of the wire numbers.

In this case ACCY1 is in the forward EIM and cabin harness (at least based on my 2004 340SDA manual):

-Kevin

 

[KevinC]

The forward cabin harness details this as wire 536 in bundle (look at the labels).

-Kevin

 

[Jeffrey King]

ok. i am not going to mess with something that only requires a simple toggle switch.
i am starting to have an issue with my DSM300 module to my C80. it intermittently stops sending to the C80 and when i unplug and plug in the power, the data feed restarts.
I was thinking of using an unused switch on the panel, but i will just add a toggle switch underneath the console.

The fix will be replacing my C80 and DSM300 to a newer model and removing the DSM300 completely. i just need to confirm the transducer is compatible with an Axiom +, etc

Thanks to all !