Instrument panel and starting switch

[pmagowan]

I wanted to replace the instrment panel for my Beta marine 20hp engine as part of my rewiring and general restoration work. The problem comes when I saw the prices. A good few hundred squids! I was wondering if it is possible to bolt on any old panel for other engines? Surely they are just complex switches with a few dials?? Am I missing something?

 

[alahol2]

I think you are missing something. You couldn't just bolt 'any old panel' into the wiring loom. Ignition key sequence, tachometer sender mechanism, loom colouring are a few of the things that spring to mind.

 

[cimo]

I wanted to replace the instrment panel for my Beta marine 20hp engine as part of my rewiring and general restoration work. The problem comes when I saw the prices. A good few hundred squids! I was wondering if it is possible to bolt on any old panel for other engines? Surely they are just complex switches with a few dials?? Am I missing something?

anthings possible!
You will need to ensure that all guages you buy/recycle are compatible with your engine senders (tempting to assume gerneric but I would advise double checking). engine preheat start and stop can be done with simple pushbuttons/toggle switches (again, check the manual to see how the electrics need to work for your engine). You will most likely be able to recycle alot of the the crimped wiriing from your old panel. Warning/indicator lamps & any relays you'll require can be got down the car breakers.

What else? - circuit breakers? I tend to buy individually.

If your lucky enough to get hold of another old Beta panel - your smiling.
good luck.

 

[Richard10002]

Why do you want to replace it? If it just looks a bit untidy, rather than not working, you coud just get a panel and transfer the bits.

My VP panel had got tatty, and I needed a new tacho, so I bough a 2nd hand tacho on ebay, and a new panel from Key Parts. Looks as good as new for about £70, rather than £300

 

[CliveG]

I had to replace the panel for the Beta 10 on Sirenia due to sinking the boat
I too didn't like the price of the Beta panels.

The Beta maintenance manual has the wiring diagrams for all the small Beta engines.
I found it quite simple to get the necessary kit from ASAP supplies and the wiring was straight forward.

I have a .pdf of the manual.
Drop me your email addy by PM for a copy.

 

[rob2]

I changed the keyswitch on my panel. OEM kit was a staggering price so I bought a Lucas switch from a tractor spares shop - £20.

Rob.

 

[pmagowan]

Thanks Guys.
Sinking the boat that would do it!

I think replacing the ignition with a tractor part might be the best idea. I think it has already been done on mine. The panel isnt that bad but I get the impression from the switch with its rusty keys that the glow plugs part doesnt work. The panel also does not have any instrumentation on it. I would like to al least know the revs and maybe even the temp.

The last time the engine didn't start I had a look behind the panel to fault find. Looked like a mess of spaghetti! I want it easier to identify faults in the future.

Thanks Clive, I have a manual with some diagrams in it, just not the brain to convert them to reality

 

[lille_bee]

New starting system

I have just spent a great weekend, courtesy of River Canal Rescue, learning how to fit a new starting switch (and all the bits) to, by fortunate coincidence, a small Beta. The course started with a box of bits, a sheet of ply wood and the tools. By the end of 2 days all 9 of us could (with a little reference to course books) join all the bits together and the engines all ran (and stopped).

Needless to say, I was the only person there from the salt water side of life but for people who spend their life on "Barges" (yes I know I should call them narrow boats) we all had exactly the same issues when it came to small diesels. By the way, we did glow plug testing, adding a temperature warning light or guage and a rev counter. The courses are run all over the country or the tutor will run a special.. you provide the venue and he will arrive with 3 x engines on their test beds and all the bits.

From someone who had a dreaded fear of the "black art of boat electrics" this was exactly what I needed.

regards

john and elsa

 

[cimo]

Thanks Guys.
....... The panel isnt that bad but I get the impression from the switch with its rusty keys that the glow plugs part doesnt work. The panel also does not have any instrumentation on it. I would like to al least know the revs and maybe even the temp........

For whats it worth, I would put the glow plugs on their own pushbutton, ignition switches can be troublesome after a certain age. would recommend a volts guage and an oil pressure guage also.