Dash Panel Lights

TonyG13

This has been bothering me since we've had the boat:

Is there a way to have the dash panel lights (the Contura switches) illuminate without activating the Nav/Anc switch?

I don't like fumbling in the dark trying to see the switch faces to turn on the spreader lights, etc. - and think it's kinda dumb that you need to switch on the Nav or Anchor light to illuminate the switches.

Am I missing something - or is this the standard on Rinker?

Aqua_Aura

That's how mine is. You could look into where the connection is to light up the switches and maybe wire something in for another switch just for the switches and panel. 

aero3113

Do you not have a separate dimmer switch for the panel lights? I’m pretty sure this will turn them on without using the Nav/Anchor light switch. I could be thinking this wrong though!

TonyG13

aero3113 said:

Do you not have a separate dimmer switch for the panel lights? I’m pretty sure this will turn them on without using the Nav/Anchor light switch. I could be thinking this wrong though!

Nope! That's what I thought - and it would be the logical process - but it doesn't work that way (at least on mine). Dimmer only works when the panel is on via the Nav/Anc switch.

TonyG13

Aqua_Aura said:

That's how mine is. You could look into where the connection is to light up the switches and maybe wire something in for another switch just for the switches and panel. 

Thanks! That is an option, I just hate the idea of having to pull the dash and go fishing for wires. Was hoping there was an easier solution. 

Ian

Did you replace your caps @TonyG13? If so where from?

Aqua_Aura

I forgot about the dimmer switch. Maybe you could wire it into that?

reneechris14

I alway though Rinker should of put a switch by the back of the boat. I too come down at night unzip the back stumble through the cockpit uncover the gauges just to trun on the lights. 

Ian

I did that on my Bayliner years ago, handy to have but now if we are coming back in the dark I have under platform lights on

stuckmoto

Just stumbled across this thread...just picked up a 2003 270 a couple months ago. PO said the "panel lts" switch didn't do anything so never really messed with it. What exactly is it supposed to do? I'm planning on replacing the covers and possibly adjusting the layout of the switches - wondering if it is available for something else? It seems to be a three position switch.

LaRea

@stuckmoto welcome to the forum.

When the lights are on, press the switch up and hold to make the helm lights brighter.  Press down and hold to make them dimmer. 

If your switch doesn't work, what probably happened is that the dimmer module got disconnected.  Check this thread for details:

https://rinkerboats.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/comment/32323#Comment_32323

TonyG13

LaRea said:

When the lights are on, press the switch up and hold to make the helm lights brighter.  Press down and hold to make them dimmer. 

Yup! Only took me two seasons to figure out that one that the nav/anc switch had to be on for that dimmer switch to also work! 

stuckmoto

LaRea said:

@stuckmoto welcome to the forum.

When the lights are on, press the switch up and hold to make the helm lights brighter.  Press down and hold to make them dimmer. 

If your switch doesn't work, what probably happened is that the dimmer module got disconnected.  Check this thread for details:

https://rinkerboats.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/comment/32323#Comment_32323

Thanks for the welcome and the info. I've been sifting through this forum since I bought it, just saving up a bunch of questions. Funny how the original owner didn't know what the switch did. Anyway...seems to be a waste of a switch, I might have to change that.

LaRea

I wouldn't get rid of it.  When cruising at night, dimming the lights will protect your night vision.  

Bring us your questions!

stuckmoto

LaRea said:

I wouldn't get rid of it.  When cruising at night, dimming the lights will protect your night vision.  

Bring us your questions!

Agreed. I rarely boat at night so I was thinking of relocating the dimmer control to a separate switch somewhere else on the helm and using the real-estate for a more useful switch.