2003 SAN: Take apart and Re-purpose ballast gauges.?

[mnwakerider]

I pulled the hard tanks a few season back in my 2003 SAN LE. I want to repurpose the now dead ballast gauges below the throttle. I want to add two little digital voltmeters on a relay through the ignition switch to read the levels of my batteries. This is what I am thinking of adding:


I would remove the existing analog arm and inards, paint the inside of the bezel, cut out a section for the new meter, and then close back up.

I really want to keep the look of the stock gauges, has anybody ever pulled the ballast gauges apart? I have it out of the boat, but before I start pulling, wanted to see if someone has already tackled it and could provide some direction.

Thanks!

[mnwakerider]

Any ideas or experience?

[scottb7]

Hmmm, interesting idea. But I am guessing they are sealed by the bezel with some sort of crimping tool. Not that that means it can't be done, just have to cut thru back of guage. I don't think you will be taking them apart easy.

I am thinking it might be way easier to get a voltmeter gauge that fits that is match or complimentary.

But now you got me thinking for my 3 gauges what other stuff might be good to put there....Volt meter would be good, but what else?

[mnwakerider]

Volt meter per battery was the first idea, really was just the right fit with my boat being a Limited, only had two gauges there.

I still have the stock cruise control on the dash that I would like to replace. My stock lake water temp is not working so I was thinking of finding one to fill that spot. Havent seen anything that fits the look of the rest of the gauges.

[azeus17]

I am in the process of adding voltmeters to my batteries as well, but not in the dash, just near the batteries. I did not take the time to see if it was the correct size, but something like this would work well.

http://www.carid.com/xscorpion-audio...-16737021.html

[jhiestand]

I went through a similar exercise although I didn't use my ballast gauges. Instead, I picked up a voltage gauge sized the same and it fit great. The one I used was from Summit Racing (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G2983).

Not a great pic, but you get the idea.

[mnwakerider]

Just what I was thinking! It may be too much trouble to get the old gauges to work. Looks good on your setup!