Dash lights and lake temp readings

[functionoverfashion]

I picked up a new-to-me 2003 SANTE on Saturday, and needless to say, we love it. But it's also a 14 year old boat and I'm meticulous about my boat, so I've started a list that's already 12 items long of small things to address.

One thing is, we do a lot of night boating (less than we used to, but it's still one of my favorite things to do). So I'm especially particular about my lighting; I can't believe they didn't put a tower light on these boats from the factory in '03, by the way.

Anyway, I've read that the dash lights can be dimmed by pressing the up/down arrows on one of the gauges, is that true for an '03 SANTE? If so, how dark do they really get? In my old boat I installed a toggle switch to just shut the dash lights off completely, and that's how they were most of the time at night. Once your eyes adjust you can usually see what you need to on the gauges anyway. But last night we went out, and I had to put a towel over the dash. Without that, I couldn't see nearly well enough to safely navigate the lake in total darkness. Towel on, no problem.

So can I dim the dash / gauge lights? If so, is it actually helpful? And can I just put in a toggle to turn them totally off if I want?

On a completely unrelated note, the lake temp is reading very low, like it didn't get above 47 degrees at any point today and I'm sure the water is in the 60's anyway, as confirmed with another thermometer. Any thoughts are appreciated - it's hard to google this because all you get is discussions about engine temp.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[functionoverfashion]

In reading the manual (crazy concept, right!?) I discovered there's a dark blue wire from the keypad 'Nav Light' switch that goes to the Faria gateway as a trigger for the dash lights to come on. So... interrupting this wire with a simple toggle switch ought to do the trick, no? I think the Perfect Pass gauge may still be backlit, though. Any thoughts on that? I'm sure I'm not the only one who goes out at night a lot, and/or who's been bothered by bright dash lights on a very dark lake.

[nautiques4life]

Never knew (or even looked for an option) for a dimmer on my '05... I just used a towel. Good luck

[functionoverfashion]

Never knew (or even looked for an option) for a dimmer on my '05... I just used a towel. Good luck

Well I feel like the new guy who asked a stupid question. I pressed the down arrow button on the tach and it went dimmer - dimmer - dark. The PP gauge was still lit but I can come up with something there.

Great feature and I'm glad it was easy. Except the ballast gauges are still glowing like the sun but at least they're not in my face... probably putting in a kill switch for those.

[homer12]

We like to go on a cruise at night so good to know that. Never did know or think about. I'm curious on anything you find for the water temp reading. Mine is off too but it seems to read too warm.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[functionoverfashion]

We like to go on a cruise at night so good to know that. Never did know or think about. I'm curious on anything you find for the water temp reading. Mine is off too but it seems to read too warm.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

On our lake there are a lot of shallow, rocky areas that are marked with unlit buoys, AND there just aren't that many houses out there, which is good actually - people love to turn on ludicrously bright spotlights that face the lake, but they are blinding and seriously hazardous to navigation, in fact, it's not legal but how can you enforce it? My point is, I really need to see every detail to navigate safely and cannot have lights in my face ruining my night vision. Even the all-round stern light bathing the boat in soft white light is a bit much for me. I'm working on a tower light solution for that. There are just too many narrow passageways between islands, or around shallow areas, I need to see! I can't tell you how many times I've had friends out on the lake at night who were just clueless as to how we get around in the darkness. I know where I am by looking at the trees against the sky, and when lights of houses disappear behind points of land or islands, and what the surrounding mountains look like relative to the horizon... but all this depends on having the boat good and dark.


And yeah I'm still curious about the water temp... the readings change all the time but it's like, 15 degrees low I'd say. Bad sensor? But then, you'd think it would be way off, or not change, or something.

[homer12]

I used to think mine was getting heat from the engine down in the bilge somewhere changing the reading, but I think it senses from a place I the raw water pickup hose. I'm not 100% certain, but I wish I knew why mine was off. Maybe you can calibrate the gauge somehow???