Dash panels failing

mmcguire2002

mmcguire2002

Active Member
Mar 3, 2008
597
San Pedro, CA
Boat Info
Previous boat - 2003.5 Sea Ray 340 DA
Current boat - 2003 Mikelson 50
Engines
Cummins 480 CE
Hello all. My dash panels (not sure what to call them) are failing. If you look at the pic, the right hand side, circled in red, has failed. The left hand side, circled in yellow, is intermittent. Any ideas on culprit and fix? Thx in advance.

A647953F-2A19-4568-B9EC-4415FFCBDABA.jpeg
 
Before you follow Mitch’s link and have a heart attack, by fail do you mean:
a)the faux wood panel looks like excrement,

Or,

b) switchpad no longer functions.

if a, follow link but veer off to the replacement panels section,

if b, carry on and be prepared to contact your cardiologist
 
Henry Boyd said:
Before you follow Mitch’s link and have a heart attack, by fail do you mean:
a)the faux wood panel looks like excrement,

Or,

b) switchpad no longer functions.

if a, follow link but veer off to the replacement panels section,

if b, carry on and be prepared to contact your cardiologist
Click to expand...
It is the latter. Boat is well maintained and no cosmetic issues. The panels have failed or are failing...
 
To answer your question about the FP modification. Yes it has been done, although I don’t recall it being done on your model boat.

The short version is the switchpads are connected to boxes named Electronic Interface Modules (EIM) and create a small data network. The EIM is a combination breaker panel, relay switching system and boat harness interface that does the heavy lifting and the switchpads are just as the name implies. I note from the picture you have three rocker switches, I would venture are For your engines? Those are probably just physically mounted there and not part of the switchpad’s internal function.

The FP solution is to replace the switch pads, EIMs and assorted wiring with new panels, harnesses, breaker boxes, and analog switches that plug into the same boat harness the existing EIMs do.

There have been attempts by some companies to reproduce the switchpad EIM technology, but my interpretation of the results is that it’s not quite effective.

Try a search on switchpad, or EIM replacement and you’ll get more than enough feedback
 
Henry Boyd said:
To answer your question about the FP modification. Yes it has been done, although I don’t recall it being done on your model boat.

The short version is the switchpads are connected to boxes named Electronic Interface Modules (EIM) and create a small data network. The EIM is a combination breaker panel, relay switching system and boat harness interface that does the heavy lifting and the switchpads are just as the name implies. I note from the picture you have three rocker switches, I would venture are For your engines? Those are probably just physically mounted there and not part of the switchpad’s internal function.

The FP solution is to replace the switch pads, EIMs and assorted wiring with new panels, harnesses, breaker boxes, and analog switches that plug into the same boat harness the existing EIMs do.

There have been attempts by some companies to reproduce the switchpad EIM technology, but my interpretation of the results is that it’s not quite effective.

Try a search on switchpad, or EIM replacement and you’ll get more than enough feedback
Click to expand...
Thank you. You are correct. The rockers are Port and Starboard start switches and a cross over, in case of failure of the house battery bank. Appreciate the quick feedback.
 
mmcguire2002 said:
Hello all. My dash panels (not sure what to call them) are failing. If you look at the pic, the right hand side, circled in red, has failed. The left hand side, circled in yellow, is intermittent. Any ideas on culprit and fix? Thx in advance.

View attachment 86738
Click to expand...

Also check the connections on the CANBUS backbone. All of these switches send signals through a common bus back to the EIM. If there is any corrosion on the connections they can also interfere with the signals being sent properly. Both of these keypads will have a small connector that goes back to a bus connection at the helm and then uplinked to the EIM.

-Kevin
 
KevinC said:
Also check the connections on the CANBUS backbone. All of these switches send signals through a common bus back to the EIM. If there is any corrosion on the connections they can also interfere with the signals being sent properly. Both of these keypads will have a small connector that goes back to a bus connection at the helm and then uplinked to the EIM.

-Kevin
Click to expand...
Thank you for the tip. Where is this located, so I can inspect it. I will be at the boat this weekend and can check it out.
 
mmcguire2002 said:
Thank you for the tip. Where is this located, so I can inspect it. I will be at the boat this weekend and can check it out.
Click to expand...

If you remove the center helm panel you may be able to see it. Otherwise from the helm access below. It's a shot worth taking before taking a bigger jump. Next I would want to see if the keypads are failing or the EIM. This can be done by swapping them with another set if you can find some. There are some Keypads available that can be found on the internet but each one sold is one less available as they are no longer produced.

-Kevin
 
KevinC said:
If you remove the center helm panel you may be able to see it. Otherwise from the helm access below. It's a shot worth taking before taking a bigger jump. Next I would want to see if the keypads are failing or the EIM. This can be done by swapping them with another set if you can find some. There are some Keypads available that can be found on the internet but each one sold is one less available as they are no longer produced.

-Kevin
Click to expand...
Thank you sir.
 
15898D07-C271-4B2D-B754-274C68449685.jpeg


You can also get replacement touchpads. Replaced both mine 2 years ago after i let the smoke out of one. New ones come black but i dont mind the look. About 450 each iirc.
 
Do these fail because they get wet aboard an uncovered boat or just age related. Still like my old school toggles, breakers and analog gauges. Can't understand when I walk the docks a see boats left uncovered the the rain and sun. People must just be lazy I guess.
 
Shenanigans77, where did you source those black panels? I have not been successful in finding those.

hottoddie, I am wondering the same. Is it neglect rather than age/usage? Perhaps luck of the draw.
 
JackLabs said:
Shenanigans77, where did you source those black panels? I have not been successful in finding those.

hottoddie, I am wondering the same. Is it neglect rather than age/usage? Perhaps luck of the draw.
Click to expand...
I assume it is age. My boat is washed weekly, has full covers for everything and is maintained with an open checkbook.
 
I think it’s just a case of long term use in a marine environment. I’ve never tried to take any of the devices apart, but they never struck me as that robust. The EIMs also have mechanical breakers that long term will have issues. I think the system is an excellent example of something that was technically feasible but not necessarily the right application.
 
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