NEW DASH opinions.....
 

What do you think of this layout?

I have:
182C GPS
2: tachs
4: Water temp and water pressure
4: Oil temp and oil pressure
1: volt meter
1: fuel gauge

Figured I'd cluster each engine in the banks of 4 on each side and put the volt and fuel gauge in the center.

I like!

Looks clean, What are you making it out of?

Don't know yet :) It appears a 1/8 thick piece of aluminum powder coated to match will work great.....I'm not looking forward to removing/re-installing all those gauges.

Here is the current one. It includes floscan gauges (that are no longer hooked up) and a GPS speedo that will not be re-installed.

Superb-
 

I think your setup's superb, and you came to many of the same conclusions I did. (I picked a different GPS but thats another thread)

I prioritized tach and water pressure- then the display.
The guys at Lavey custom made my dash for this GPS.

Look forward to seeing the rest of your setup t500hps-

Check out my new 2750 in the Laveycraft forum Ive been documenting my build and recently agonized over what you are going through.

Uncle Dave

LaveyCraft 2750 710 Ilmor
Laveycraft 20.8 Sebring

it looks good, i am laying up my new panel up tonight also time for change

OK, I've got one local guy that might be able to make the panel...if not, any suggestions where to get this thing made?

http://www.custommetalfabricators.com
7601 Whitepine Rd.
Richmond, VA 23237
Phone: 804-271-6094, 800-220-4084 (toll free)
Fax: 804-271-5105

Do you know these guys, or do a google search?

Do you want it bent? I have potential access to cnc water jet and bender.

PM me

2001 was the last year with the "stepped" dash panels. This one is flat with a bunch of holes. The GPS will actually have (4) 1/4 holes for the screws and one 3 inch hole for the antenna/power wire assembly. I'm waiting to hear from a local lead. (a friend of a friend that supposedly can do this work).

I can do the work if its just flat. It doesn't eat much into my friend's time. This would just be a piece of bare aluminum though.. you would have to clean it up and get it powder coated.

Call Formula and get the original Blank bent panel from them

I don't need the bent panel, they switched to flat panels in 2002 (I even have the original factory panel that came with my boat). I did call them and they don't have any panels before 2004 and claim there are minor changes that won't allow it to fit on my 2002

Russ, if you still need the panel done, let me know. You can send me the original to get the correct outline, I'll take it into CAD and then layout your new one and have you check it. Then I can get my fab guy to just pnch it out. Let me know. Or just send me your paper layout oif its to scale. Either way I can help you out.

t500hps will the flat panel work thats what i was planning on doing but need to get back to boat to see

I called Formula.....I have a 2002 model. Apparently the 2001 model and earlier 382's have the "stepped" dash panel. In 2002 they came from the factory with a flat panel. From what they told me that the early 382's-2001 are one style, the 2002-2003 are a 2nd stye, and for some reason the 2004 and up are a 3rd and that those won't even fit my boat. I've never looked at one like your 1997 (or any other stepped" dash panel), so I don't know what the differences are.

Today I finally put in a call to the guy I was told might be able to do this. I haven't heard from him yet. He won't have access to a CAD and I'm sure that you could do a much cleaner job.......you just might be hearing from me.
I just finished creating a to scale, complete line drawing of every cut/hole that needs to be made (the one in my first post was drawn with markers and the bezels were added in for a visual check)
Do you have the aluminum material that I need for the panel. Can we discuss this on the phone????

Russ C.
8O4-9I4-2628

This may have just gotten easier......My graphic designers at work just scanned the drawing I did and re-created the entire layout in Illustrator. From that we can create a number of file formats or even print-out mulitple copies of the full scale layout.

With a .dxf cadd file, its an easy job. Someone who is going to do it by hand will charge much more money due to the labor.

Someone with a cadd file programs it right into cam, and the water or laser jet cuts it out in seconds.

That's what I did. Designed the layout in Unigraphics and then sent the design to the machine shop. 45 minutes later it was all cut and bent!

The finished product. I am also working on some other designs for when I do a full wrap on the boat!

Russ,
Nort had several panels made for his 382. He probably has a few left. Check with him first.

B

We went through that. He says his panel is flat and mine are not.....

N

The panel is at the machine shop to be cut....I have another idea. My gauges are white with red bezels. A couple of the bezels have minor cosmetic issues.
Have you seen Fastech's the last couple years with the color dash panels. I'm thinking of going that route. My boats primary colors are red and the dash would look good like that, but I have blue accents as well and prefer that color. How would the white gauges look with silver bezels on a blue or red dash?.....comments?

t500hps i like it , go carbon fiber i am

I've done alot of panels - here's a 311 Formula, 27 Advantage and a Cigarette Bullet from last year. I use .125 aluminum and have everything water jetted. For design work, I'm using Solidworks

well, I'm waiting on some color samples to arrive. Tyler Crocket put me in touch with the guy that claims he has been making all of Formula's dash panels the last couple years. If I like what I see, I'm going to be ordering all 5 panels from him. These are the colored carbon fiber panels like they put in all the new boats.

where do I get panel blanks for a 99 382. the stepped one.

from what I've found....you won't find one, you'll have to have one made.

If you want it.....I have one. Ho Ho Ho

yes. pm me. wes or call 206-930-5791

I am curious to know why you don't use the Floscan. I had Floscan on another boat and was pretty happy with it. Once I saw the flow rate at a given RPM it wasn't all that useful, but I really liked the totalizer.

Here is that thread.......good talking with you tonight!


http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=97889

Russ .. when I first reworked my dash I had the gauges clustered for each motor ....But decided to change it so each gauge was adjecent to the other motors like Gauge ...you can do a quick look to compair motors .... I also have seen each gauge posistioned so all normal readings are @ 12 o'clock ..that does look kinda funcky though ......m

OTF' s way is how airplanes are set up, and for the reason he mentions. I have seen race cars set up at 12:00, seems very logical even if funky

t500 were you able to get the carbon fiber panels from Crocket's contact? I am looking for a new raised dash panel and the other 4 panels for my 2000. From what I have read in the threads I cannot change to a flat panel dash from the raised panel.

If anyone else has any suggestions for obtaining new panels your help is appreciated.

Thanks,
JB

Yep, turns out the guy makes them for Formula......I'm sure he could make your "stepped" version if you senthim yours as a sample.

See thread attached:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ula-382-a.html

BTW: I need to add pics from out in the sunlight..WOW!!!

t500hps that is great to here they really sparkle hey, I can't wait

j b mar I am almost done with my flat panel install on my 98 appears it will work fine just need to relocate the latch

here's what you can look forward to.......

t500 your work came out fantastic!!! Great Job!
I hope to achieve similar results.