knowledge base
 

Afternoon all!

Im doing a bunch of ordering for the Cafe and the Top Gun this afternoon. I called up LipShip and Cig and they werent very helpful so i figured i would tap the wealth of knowledge on here. I am finishing up finals in school this week so I am not out at the shop to check, but i am placing an order tonight if i can get my questions answered.


1. Cafe fuel tank senders... i know they are 2 wire, but what length are they? 12", 24" ?

2. Top Gun ignition.. My port key will not turn. My Stbd key turns and systems are a go. Both keys work for the Stbd ignition. so it has to be someone busted, broke, tired to hotwire or something the boat at some point... Now where can i order a new ignition switch with the same key pattern so i don't need to swap both out? Or is that my only option to replace both sides?

3. Best place to order new toggles and rockers? We are updating the dash for both. would like white switches.

Thanks guys!

you may be missing the port ign. key if both keys work for the star. the keys will go in no problem but wont turn if it's not the right one. do you have to sets and maybe just using both starboard keys?

Every twin engine boat I have ever had were different keys for each engine.

Funny I don't think ive taken the keys out of boat. Cant remember them being different

I got all my switches from new wire marine. great prices and great service.

I also doubt if there is anything 'special' about an old top gun key switch other than just being a standard marine switch. Just replace them both with whatever switch makes you happy. Any locksmith can rekey them to be the same if you cant find 2 identical easily.

Lipship sells everything your looking for. They are always very helpful so not sure what happened with your conversation with them. They sell ignitions with cig emblem keys which are correct for the boat and most people would want them back in. Toggles can be found cheaper all over the internet just make sure to get stainless.

Actually they are special lol. This is what there suppose to look like

[ATTACH=CONFIG]534332[/ATTACH]

many of the parts you ask for are in the parts section of phils site. Phil is VERY helpful just don't waste his time. know what you want before you contact him. it is also better to do it by email. No disrespect, but he is constantly on the move directing his employees or helping a client, lots of northerners are down there now and winter is the time for them to get things done.
As for toggle switches there are many, you need to know the throw and the poles on each. some are on/off, some are momentary on/off/on.. and the poles on the back must be known as well. Take inventory of what you currently have then order, lastly they wont be cheap, but they will be right.

http://www.lipship.com/parts

Nothing special about the switch just the key

you can find a lot of the items you are looking for here.

http://greatlakesskipper.com

Replace both ignition switches while you are at it Phil. They all eventually go bad and can create a momentary loss of ignition because of wear from the keys hanging with heavy key rings jerking on them over the years not to mention them getting wet and corroded.

i only have 1 set of keys. both are the Cig emblem keys. both keys will turn one switch. but neither for the one that wont turn. the cafe both keys turn both motors.

does anyone know about the fuel sender length? thanks for the replies all!

So the one switch doesnt turn.... simple pull the switch and take the switch and key to a decent locksmith, problem solved,

well i sent lipship an email rather than a phone call. Maybe they were busy today. Well see what i get back.

sounds like a General Motors recall

Trust me the ignition switches are nothing special and easily bought off the shelf. Phuck the Cigarette keys and get some new ignition switches and eliminate a future problem on a old boat.For what it will cost for a locksmith you can replace them .

The Flat deck senders are 15" .. maybe that helps

15 in mistress 85

I don't know about all that. Phil is selling what is essentially entry level to the Cig crowd. Most of these guys love the idea of setting their keys with the Cigarette emblems down at the table. Kind of an ego stroke. A pair of ignitions with keys is $160 bucks from LipShip, and they will be matched when you get them. It is one of those finishing touches that people really appreciate.

It's true. And they're more like a piece of jewelry or art rather than just a set if keys!

DITTO ! And it helps resale of the boat! LOL

And it drives others nuts that can't stand emblems all over......

Thats a 60 dollar gold cigarette key.....

http://www.partdeal.com/cole-hersee-...EeYaAh8X8P8HAQ

wait til you have to buy cabin door rollers....you know the little black plastic ones... your butthole will pucker!!!!

Take out he keys and put toggles switches in, don't label them. I can hot wire that boat quicker then you could find your keys in your left pocket.

thats cus he is too busy playing with whats in the right pocket

As far as the senders -- if you are purchasing the Livorsi style you can cut to fit -- so get the 24" and then if you want to leave an extra 1-2" on the bottom when the guage reads empty you can trim to your liking...

thanks for the help guys! Got my questions answered. I got an email back from LipShip and they answered all my questions and im getting things straightened out. Depth of the tank is 15" i got to the shop and measured it today. and Lip Ship says to leave 1-2" if anyone was wondering for further reference. I have the answer to my key situation im just replacing both ignitions. have brand new keys so itll add a nice finished detail. just going to look around for toggles.

Check out jmsonline.net and search "toggles" and "white rocker switches". They have a pretty good selection and the prices aren't bad.

No keys for me push button start!!

Fuel Tank Senders - I just replaced mine here is how you do it.

1) remove old sender and measure to the bottom. My Gun was 14"

2) Call Phil at LipShip and give him the measurement. He will have custom senders made for your boat.

Phil also made mine a little short like 13". He said the gauges will work more accurate because when your at 1/4 tank you better be sitting in front of the gas pumps.

Good luck!

Also Livorsi sells em in 1" increments for $65 ish

thanks for this. while emailing back and forth LipShip explained about differences in the rockers. they sell the rockers and toggles that have the (forgive me for the technical name) but where you attach each wire via screw like older style orig. rather than the ones you slide on... what are yalls experience with the rockers and toggles that have the "slide on" versions? LS said that with their experience running rough conditions the wires would slide off or loose connection causing issues..

id be more worried about your drives before id worry about a wire falling off a toggle switch if its that rough out. if you use good terminals i doubt you would have a problem

Mine are all just the slide on type and they have been in the boat for 7 years with not one falling off. You can't go wrong either way in my opinion.

male/female electrical spade connectors/terminals will work just fine,
just make sure you support the wiring harness so the weight and the bouncing of the harness does not pull on the terminals.

sweet! thanks!

excuse my ignorance, but do you by chance have a pic that would show me what it takes to replace? One gauge is on half of tank when I run out and the other on a quarter tank. Will fuel senders solve that problem?