Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

The Main Sand Box for bertram31.com

Moderators: CaptPatrick, mike ohlstein, Bruce

Post Reply
User avatar
JohnV8r
Senior Member
Posts: 625
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 21:59
Location: Northern California Bay Area
Contact:

Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by JohnV8r »

This is a picture of Shambala's helm.

Image

I'm not sure if the gauge cluster is completely stock. The two outside momentary/pushbutton switches are the engine start buttons; the middle momentary/pushbutton switch is the horn button. There is no keyed ignition, just toggle switches hidden under the helm to turn the ignition on (which I love since there are no keys to lose).

When I do the repower to the 6BTA remans, I want to have this type of gauge cluster made to keep to keep the style of gauge panel looking as original as possible. I've always thought the Yanmar gauge clusters shown on Capt. Patrick's bubble console looked great. I don't think that would fit in the stock helm, but I like that style and the way it flows.

I really have four questions:

First, what gauges come with the standard Cummins 6BTA gauge package?

Second, what gauges do I need (i.e. should I add boost, exhaust gas temp, transmission oil temp, etc)?

Third, what is involved with customizing the Cummins standard gauge cluster. Can I simply unplug the gauges from the wiring harness, move them, and plug them in again so that I split the gauges from the warning lights or do I need to have a custom wiring harness built? I would prefer to put the warning lights below the helm where the cell phone is in the picture. Can I add or replace the Cummins gauges with other Stewart Warner gauges like the SW "Standard Gauge" type that looks close to the original Bertram Stewart Warner gauges? See example here:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sww-8 ... QgodqSgADg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Last, is it possible to have a set up like I have right now where there are on/off toggle switches under the helm and start buttons in a separate location? I know on a diesel engine there is no "ignition" per se like I have on toggle switches now. However, I would rather be able to shut down with toggle switches than keys.

Thanks in advance,

John Vietor
Bertram 31 - The Best Boat Ever Built
User avatar
JohnD
Senior Member
Posts: 409
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 09:48
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by JohnD »

John,

I too have and like the toggle switch on/off and push-button start, just re-used the same as when I had gas.

Here's a link to Teleflex Heavy Duty line of gauges, I'm using them along with orig Stuart-Warner and you have to look close to see the difference. price isn't too bad either.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... id=1383892

br,
JohnD
User avatar
JohnV8r
Senior Member
Posts: 625
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 21:59
Location: Northern California Bay Area
Contact:

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by JohnV8r »

Thanks John!
Bertram 31 - The Best Boat Ever Built
Tony Meola
Senior Member
Posts: 6940
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 21:24
Location: Hillsdale, New Jersey
Contact:

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by Tony Meola »

John

I used the Cummins gauges in the original panel. We had the rim rechromed. She looked good around the edges but the center not too much. The Cummins dealer I used has a ton of connections, so he was able to wrangle a black sheet of thin plastic that Vicking used on their panels. We cut it to fit.

We eliminated the start buttons (I miss them) by just letting the sheet cover up the holes. Looks just like the original from the factory less the start buttons.
1975 FBC BERG1467-315
User avatar
Bruce
Site Admin
Posts: 3785
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 12:04
Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by Bruce »

Cummins usually comes with VDO guages that can mount from the back or drop in from the front on their panels.

On 31's that I've done where owner wants to keep stock appearance I kept the toggle on bridge and or pull switch on lower station for ignition circuit and push button starts.

What I would add would be panel breakers for ignition master on dc panel for port and starboard. I would also add hidden anti theft switches that would kill fuel circuits.
User avatar
Mikey
Senior Member
Posts: 1475
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 10:12
Location: White Stone, VA

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by Mikey »

John,
I used the original panel and VDO Ocean gauges when I converted to Cummins from 454's.
Image
Image
Used the original wheel as well, with a few modifications. The mome buttons still start the engines. I kept the original keyed ignition but moved them. My gauges are tachs, oil pressure, water temp, alt. VDO makes a gauge that looks like the old S-W gauges if you prefer..
Mikey
3/18/1963 - -31-327 factory hardtop express, the only one left.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.
-Albert Einstein
User avatar
JohnV8r
Senior Member
Posts: 625
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 21:59
Location: Northern California Bay Area
Contact:

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by JohnV8r »

Thanks guys! That really helps a lot. I do still have two questions:

1. What did you do with the alarm/warning panel? Is it something I should mount remotely or can I not mount it at all?

2. In reading as much as I can possibly read about diesel engines, I came across this article by Tony Athens from Boatdiesel.com http://www.sbmar.com/articles/boost_and_egt/ in which he advocates the use of boost and exhaust gas temperature gauges (EGT). Being a diesel neophyte, the article makes sense to me. Are boost and EGT gauges something I should incorporate in the gauge panel?

Thanks in advance,

John Vietor
Bertram 31 - The Best Boat Ever Built
User avatar
Bruce
Site Admin
Posts: 3785
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 12:04
Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by Bruce »

I would only get the boost and egt guages if you plan on running real hard or engine maker has got the engine output so cranked up that its a hand grenade waiting to go off sorta like the old Junk and Trouble detroit conversions, otherwise don't bother.
User avatar
JohnV8r
Senior Member
Posts: 625
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 21:59
Location: Northern California Bay Area
Contact:

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by JohnV8r »

Thanks Bruce!
Bertram 31 - The Best Boat Ever Built
User avatar
Ironman
Senior Member
Posts: 527
Joined: Jun 30th, '06, 11:06

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by Ironman »

John: Im so glad to hear you pulled the triggeron the remans.. you wont besorry.. I havent been on in a while ..stuff happenin.
Any thingI can help u with.. u got my # & email.. The gauges I have are in the orig cluster..
Theres a place in CostaMesa called Common Ground.. they have supplyed me ..I used VDO the chrome around the bezel tarnished big time but work good.. I advise the EGT at least.. they will tell u long before a problem..creeping temps up-.. (like a canary in the mine) mount them aside thye cluster or like me on thwe verticle dash area.. I can send pics ..
Wayne
User avatar
JohnV8r
Senior Member
Posts: 625
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 21:59
Location: Northern California Bay Area
Contact:

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by JohnV8r »

Hey Wayne,

Hope you're doing well. I think I'm going to be down in Newport right around June 30th/July 1st. I'd love to take a quick peek at your install and ask you some questions.

I'll call you when I have firm plans.

Take care,

John Vietor
Bertram 31 - The Best Boat Ever Built
User avatar
Bob H.
Senior Member
Posts: 1279
Joined: Jul 10th, '06, 19:49
Location: Rehoboth, Mass.
Contact:

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by Bob H. »

John, I took the Cummins panel apart and used the VDO gauges with the exception of tachs and pyrometers (Isspro), took the idiot lights out of the panel and hot glued them into the back of the corresponding gauges (JPs tip). Space is a premium on the dash and use it all how you see fit not Cummins Marine..BH
Image
1966 31 Bahia Mar #316-512....8 years later..Resolute is now a reality..Builder to Boater..285 hours on the clocks..enjoying every minute..how many days till spring?
User avatar
JohnV8r
Senior Member
Posts: 625
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 21:59
Location: Northern California Bay Area
Contact:

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by JohnV8r »

Bob,

Can you walk me through in a little more detail what you did with the idiot lights please?

Resolute is just looking phenomenal... Congratulations!

John Vietor
Bertram 31 - The Best Boat Ever Built
User avatar
Bob H.
Senior Member
Posts: 1279
Joined: Jul 10th, '06, 19:49
Location: Rehoboth, Mass.
Contact:

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by Bob H. »

John, Take a close look at the VDO gauges that are in the cummins panel..you will see a red lens in the face of the gauge, look at the back of the gauge and you should see an empty spot or hole. Now look at the idiot lights, the tube that holds the lamp should be the same size as the hole in the gauge. I took a small grinder and shaved off the red lens at the end of the idiot light. The bulb itself should be near the bottom of the idiot "tube" or light. I then took a hot glue gun and placed a dab on the tube and glued it into the corresponding gauge. Lengthen the wires as needed. Hope that sheds some light..BH
1966 31 Bahia Mar #316-512....8 years later..Resolute is now a reality..Builder to Boater..285 hours on the clocks..enjoying every minute..how many days till spring?
User avatar
JohnV8r
Senior Member
Posts: 625
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 21:59
Location: Northern California Bay Area
Contact:

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by JohnV8r »

Thanks Bob! I get it now!!!
Bertram 31 - The Best Boat Ever Built
User avatar
bob lico
Senior Member
Posts: 5276
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 19:22
Location: sayville,long island

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by bob lico »

If you are tight on space or you drove a race boat in your past you know you cannot read gauges every minute but the brain allows you to compare indicating needle .i have two in one gauge so you don't read you just glance at them . One needle not lineing up with another catches your attention.i also have the indicating needle in LED red that flashes on the parameters you dial in.the two seperate alarms are also set to these parameters one bell for water temp and buzzer for oil both gear and engine.these gauges are by flowscan.
Last edited by bob lico on Jul 6th, '13, 16:27, edited 2 times in total.
capt.bob lico
bero13010473
User avatar
bob lico
Senior Member
Posts: 5276
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 19:22
Location: sayville,long island

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by bob lico »

The LED indicator lights are bilge pump indicators -------- mid ships and transom go on you may have a water inflow problem.bottom of tach. Sycro . Within 10 rpm.

Image
Last edited by bob lico on Jul 6th, '13, 16:22, edited 2 times in total.
capt.bob lico
bero13010473
User avatar
Russ Pagels
Senior Member
Posts: 513
Joined: Jun 29th, '06, 18:17
Location: NC

Re: Cummins Reman Gauge Panel Customization Question

Post by Russ Pagels »

Image
1972 31 FBC 315-141-1226

All that is necessary for evil to succeed
is that good men do nothing.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 203 guests