What does the little button on my gauge panel do?

[TonyBuckley]

My gauge panel (RPM, Volts, Pressure etc) has a little button on it that feels like a push to reset.

I've seen lots of boats with this - an example (not my panel type) is here...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VOLVO-Marine-Instrument-Panel-custom-made-with-wiring-harness-/281318969687

I don't have a problem. I have never needed to push the button. But there again, I wouldn't know if I did need to push it because I don't know what it is.

So just out of interest, what is it? When would I need to push it? What would cause it to need pushing?

Ta.

 

[Pinnacle]

Instrument lights for night use?

 

[CreakyDecks]

There's only one answer!

 

[VicS]

My gauge panel (RPM, Volts, Pressure etc) has a little button on it that feels like a push to reset.

I've seen lots of boats with this - an example (not my panel type) is here...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VOLVO-Marine-Instrument-Panel-custom-made-with-wiring-harness-/281318969687

I don't have a problem. I have never needed to push the button. But there again, I wouldn't know if I did need to push it because I don't know what it is.

So just out of interest, what is it? When would I need to push it? What would cause it to need pushing?

Ta.

Are you sure it pushes?

Or does it pull to switch the gauge illumination on.

Some VP panels have two such switches. One for illumination and one for what ever you care to wire to it. (eg nav lights)

 

[TonyBuckley]

Instrument lights for night use?

Don't think so. The panel is constantly illuminated albeit very softly.

And yes it is a push button rather than a toggle - does not feel like it locks in on one push, and then locks out on another push. Feels like a reset button for something.

 

[Salty John]

It's probably the alarm test. If there is an alarm, it silences it. If there's no current alarm it tests it.

 

[TonyBuckley]

It's probably the alarm test. If there is an alarm, it silences it. If there's no current alarm it tests it.

Ah! Maybe. I'll give that a go next time. Never like to push buttons without knowing what they do especially with my boat's wiring!

 

[VicS]

Ah! Maybe. I'll give that a go next time. Never like to push buttons without knowing what they do especially with my boat's wiring!

What engine?

What does the owners manual say about it?

If you have mislaid your engine manual you can down load a copy from the VP website

 

[TonyBuckley]

What engine?

What does the owners manual say about it?

If you have mislaid your engine manual you can down load a copy from the VP website

Its a Lister LPW3 - no mention in the manual. Assumed it was a pretty generic thing on panels.

Found a pic, it doesn't look as tired as that nowadays...

View attachment 42671

 

[CreakyDecks]

On the ebay page you posted it says it's an engine pre-heat button.

 

[TonyBuckley]

On the ebay page you posted it says it's an engine pre-heat button.

Thanks but that was just an example of something that looked similar. I didn't realise until later I actually had a pic of my panel. I don't have preheat.

 

[VicS]

Its a Lister LPW3 - no mention in the manual. Assumed it was a pretty generic thing on panels.

Found a pic, it doesn't look as tired as that nowadays...

Sorry I assumed that since you posted a picture of a Volvo Penta panel you had a Volvo Penta engine.

 

[TonyBuckley]

Its a Lister LPW3 - no mention in the manual. Assumed it was a pretty generic thing on panels.

Found a pic, it doesn't look as tired as that nowadays...

Sorry I assumed that since you posted a picture of a Volvo Penta panel you had a Volvo Penta engine.

No. My apologies. I was thrashing around google trying to find something to demonstrate.

My post was poor and not clear.

 

[lw395]

I had a boat where pushing a button powered the voltmeter, to avoid it draining 24/7.

 

[lpdsn]

As posted above, there's only one answer;

Put you affairs in order, put your will in a safe place, then push the button.

 

[LadyInBed]

Buttons come in two flavours, normally open or normally closed.
What flavour is yours?

 

[alahol2]

On my switch panel the push button is an engine stop button. It activates a solenoid to cut the fuel.

 

[[27631]]

Raise the panel and see what the wiring...if any .to it is like .and where it goes...it may be a horn button...with no horn!!

 

[Heckler]

My gauge panel (RPM, Volts, Pressure etc) has a little button on it that feels like a push to reset.

I've seen lots of boats with this - an example (not my panel type) is here...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VOLVO-Marine-Instrument-Panel-custom-made-with-wiring-harness-/281318969687

I don't have a problem. I have never needed to push the button. But there again, I wouldn't know if I did need to push it because I don't know what it is.

So just out of interest, what is it? When would I need to push it? What would cause it to need pushing?

Ta.

Mine has two, one for the light and one for testing the alarm
Stu