This is how guages are made...?
 

160 mph Gaffrig speedo quage in a 2003 38 ft boat. Guage works, then stops working. Gaffrig says it's the battery, I need to send the whole antenna with wiring to them so they can install another battery. They say this has to be done yearly....

I think this is nuts, and they say that they have a new antenna that takes it's power from Speedo, they can sell me new antenna with wiring, but I have to install wiring. But, for a few bucks they can solder wiring into new fitting so its as simple as unplug and plug new wiring back in.

Here is the problem. There is NO fitting on the back of the speedo. There is a hole in canister where 3 wires stick up directly from a circuit board. When I unplug old wiring I see that the 3 wires are bent to the 4 winds ( From boat shop pluging in one of their extra senders that didn't work either).

No fitting, just 3 wires. I straighten wires to the point that new plug on cable from new antenna will attach. Yet, wires will go in two ways, 180 degress opposite of each way. Fitting has 3 holes for wires, can be turned 180 degress and plugged in. There is a sticker on speedo that says: "WARNING incorrect hookup will damage product."

I sent email to Gaffrig and will call them Monday morning. Thing is, these things are not cheap and this seems very cheesy to me! Not to mention, where cable connects to antenna it just sticks on, even has collar, but collar does not screw on even though there are threads on shaft but not on collar, it just kind of sticks to it....

Biggest concern is which way to connect cable into back of speedo. Not happy about how this thing is constructed.

This boat cost $650,000 new in 2003. Was this the best available back then?

Rick

Common issue with the GPS speedo gauges of that era. It has been discussed on here a few times.

fixx
 

yep,gaffrig,livoursi,autoweter all the same deal,but their is a way to hook it to your garman gps and the speedo will work and you wont need the antenna that needs the battery every year..

Dealing with the same issue. Any tips on what to search or what threads to look for?

Well, I've got an antenna that gets its power from the speedo's power supply. I have heard of speedos that have the antenna in them. Any idea of which way to insert the connector into the back of the speedo onto the 3 wires?

I don't have a garmin GPS. My boat is a hustler talon 377.

Someone must have dealt with this problem. Can the fitting be installed either way or is there a specific way to slid it on the 3 wires?

Nobody here know how to do this??

Just call Livorsi and have them swap out the unit. I have not done it yet on my personal boat, but it's not a big deal.

Search "GPS speedo dead" and "GPS speedometer dead"

Some folks have had success soldering in their own replacement battery.

Thanks! Just spent the better part of an hour reading threads. Found one with a picture of my unit but it has a fitting on the back - mine has a hole with 3 spikes. Found another thread where guy talks about 3 spikes - just like mine. My internal battery antenna is history - in the garbage - ruined by battery replacement attempt!

Back to my original post, NO fitting just 3 spikes that bend very easily sticking up from circuit board. Cheapest, worthless set up I have ever seen. Will call Gaffrig Monday morning.

fixx
 

well you got 10 yrs out of it...RIP old antenna...i think the new one should have a replacible battery..

The antenna they just sold me has no battery, it draws it's power from the speedo itself........

What's a new antenna worth? Is it even worth messing with the old one?

I have 4 options... Forget about speedo and use cell phone app... Gett replacement antenna with battery... Get replacement antenna that draws current from speedo... Get new speedo with antenna as part of it.

New speedo costs 2 or 3 times as much and not assured it will match other gauges!

Best route is $165 new antenna that gets power from speedo.

I was able to slid fitting on end of antenna cable onto 3 spikes, just not sure if it is 180 degrees off. Plus, nothing holding it in place!!!!

Rick