Replacing GW Switches

[Ky Grady]

Oops, seems I was wrong. My covers are the white lens version like the originals. Oh well.

 

[DennisG01]

KY... But is the "backlight" red?

 

[Ky Grady]

KY... But is the "backlight" red?

Nope, all white.

 

[Fishtales]

I did this recently and the dash looks great. about 100 buck on Ebay for the full original GW set of covers

Same here.

 

[LongIslandGulfstream]

Can anyone provide pictures of what they did? I’m trying to swap out my ugly duratrim panel and at the same time upgrade to the rocker switches in the most cost effective way possible. After reading previous posts about the switch connections not being the same which would prohibit a direct plug and play, i am a bit concerned.

 

[Skippy's ship]

Shows how I had to make hole slightly larger for them to fit. Hope these pics work out...

https://flic.kr/p/RahGgF
https://flic.kr/p/RahFFc

 

[DennisG01]

Can anyone provide pictures of what they did? I’m trying to swap out my ugly duratrim panel and at the same time upgrade to the rocker switches in the most cost effective way possible. After reading previous posts about the switch connections not being the same which would prohibit a direct plug and play, i am a bit concerned.

Paint the panel. Enlarge the holes. As mentioned above, though, do it very carefully - a little bit at a time.

 

[SkunkBoat]

I'm pretty sure the new switches will need a ground wire for the LED illumination that isn't there on the old oval switches.

 

[LongIslandGulfstream]

Most of my old switches actually do have illumination so I don’t think the wiring would be too much different. I appreciate the photos and the help. I may try and just vinyl wrap the ugly dura trim panel and keep the old switches in place until I get the extra $$ to make the change.

 

[Greyduk]

Most of my old switches actually do have illumination so I don’t think the wiring would be too much different. I appreciate the photos and the help. I may try and just vinyl wrap the ugly dura trim panel and keep the old switches in place until I get the extra $$ to make the change.

LIG, I am still considering the carbon fiber vinyl wrap over the old panel. My switches all work and don't look bad. I just have not come up with a good way to label each switch. To me that is where it gets difficult to get everything symmetrical and looking the way it would if professionally done. Maybe someone has a thought on that.

 

[LongIslandGulfstream]

Exactly my thoughts as well. I am going to go ahead and give it a shot. I’ll provide some pictures when I finish it.

 

[Greyduk]

Exactly my thoughts as well. I am going to go ahead and give it a shot. I’ll provide some pictures when I finish it.

I am looking forward to seeing your results. I was thinking of using something like this.

 

[DennisG01]

Blue Seas, and I'm sure others, makes a sticker set for labelling. They are a good, high quality sticker set. But whether you use stickers of screw on plates, the alignment is still on you. However, with stickers, you can spray a little soapy water onto the surface first - so you can move them around till they look right. With the screw on ones, you can temporarily tape them in place (or better yet, use a small piece of double sided tape on the back side, then mark your holes for pilot holes. A center locating drill bit would help.

 

[LongIslandGulfstream]

Quick update: I think the vinyl is going to work out well. I’m using an old scratched up piece for a test run and I like the results. Pretty good for a $10 dollar facelift. Hardest part was cutting the duratrim for my new simrad. I’ll post an update once everything is back in the boat.

 

[Gianni]

LIG, I am still considering the carbon fiber vinyl wrap over the old panel. My switches all work and don't look bad. I just have not come up with a good way to label each switch. To me that is where it gets difficult to get everything symmetrical and looking the way it would if professionally done. Maybe someone has a thought on that.

Where are you getting the carbon fiber vinyl covering from? Sounds like a good option for me as well not to go through this whole hassel

 

[LongIslandGulfstream]

I opted to go for a navy vinyl to bring some blue into the dash to match the canvas. But “Rvinyl” on eBay sells 5 foot sheets for about $10 and they have all sorts of colors/patterns including a carbon fiber look.

 

[Greyduk]

I opted to go for a navy vinyl to bring some blue into the dash to match the canvas. But “Rvinyl” on eBay sells 5 foot sheets for about $10 and they have all sorts of colors/patterns including a carbon fiber look.

LIG, Do you have a link to Rvinyl ? I tried to search but could not narrow it down. Is that the material that you used in the picture with the Simrad ?

 

[LongIslandGulfstream]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/352241487067

Something like that

 

[Greyduk]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/352241487067

Something like that

Is that the material that you used in the picture with the Simrad ?

 

[LongIslandGulfstream]

The same manufacturer but a different color. I used a matte navy color.