J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Engine Gauges

I have a 79 J/30 with the a cluster of 5 engine gauges (Tach, oil pressure, water temp, hours, voltage). These are all actual gauges, no idiot lights. They are VDO branded, but I can't seem to find any model numbers on them. The Oil pressure and water temperature gauges don't work. I'm not sure if its the gauge or the sensors. I bought some new sensors from Torresen marine, but it turns out they're not the right ones. They only sell the sensors for the idiot lights, not ones that go to the gauges I have. Has anyone else dealt with this? If so, where do you get the sensors from? And, if needed, where would I find the gauges? A picture of the gauge cluster is here: http://www.compass.com/scott/engine.jpg

That doesn't look like the stock engine control panel seen on most of the J/30s. Look at this link, page 24 and the schematic on page 56: http://j30.us/files/Rhapsody/yanmar-manual.pdf

Most of the J/30 Yanmar engines use the "B" style panel. The sensors you were sold probably work with the idiot lights on this panel. I think you'll need to research the individual instruments on your panel and find the matching sensor that goes with them.

Bill
Rhapsody #348

ps - I like your panel better than the idiot lights!

[This message has been edited by whk (edited 05-07-2007).]

Hmm... I actually bought a VDO temp guage from Torenson this winter and installed it. I can try and find out what sensor I bought. You can also get the sensor that has the temp and an alarm built in. I only got the temp one since I have the idiot light and buzzer.

David
#397

Does that panel have alarms, or is it just gauges? The idiot lights and buzzer might not be informative, but they are pretty useful in an over-temperature or under-pressure condition, seeing as one probably isn't staring at the gauges while under motor.

Ryan Pierce
Tesara, #337

It has a large RPM guage and then just a row of idiot lights and below that it has a large buzzer.

David
#397

Actually, mine just has the gauges. No idiot lights. In my initial post I posted a link to a picture of the actual gauge cluster. There is a warning buzzer, but I'm not sure what sets that off. It turns on when turning the key to start the engine.

It's probably the oil pressure warning. There's no oil pressure when the engine is started, so the buzzer will buzz.

It might also be alternator charge. Not sure if that one is alarmed or not.

Ryan
Tesara, #337

It is definitely low oil pressure before starting. On the both the "A" and "B" type Yanmar panels only CW Temp & Oil Pressure sensors are wired to the buzzer, in parallel with the respective idiot lights. See the link in my post above that references the schematic on page 56

The VDO gauge replacements are the Ocean Series. The Temperature sender is made by VDO. Part No. 803/1/11. It is out of production but the supplier still has a handful left. I suggest taking out the existing sender and look on the sides. The part No should match.
Its a 5/8 inch thread. Apparently this is an odd size? and the primary reason they quit making them.

The Tempt gauge product No 3101103 runs around 50 bucks.

I have not had to replace the oil pressure.
Suggest calling VDO or a local VDO gauge supplier and ask. I imagine the oil pressure also has a VDO sending unit.

The ocean Line series have slightly different wire configuration on the gauges but the old wire and fittings will work. The instructions are pretty clear, and the old gauges are marked (pos, neg, sending unit (G) and etc.

I have a great supplier here in Norfolk VA whose name I will pass on if you need it. They were recommended by the Factory rep and have been great to work with.