Kill switch for dashboard lights?

[SkunkedAgain]

I just got an '08 Alumacraft Navigator. I noticed while boating at night that the glare from my dashboard lights really makes it hard to see. Those lights come on when I turn on my navigation lights. Has anyone ever installed a separate switch to run the dashboard lights...or just cut the wire to them?

[croixflats]

You can install a 2 way toggle switch with a off spot in the middle or is that a 3 way. I have one in my boat and I had to replace it. Its rather complicated to wire up at least it was for me as I did not take note of the wires on the old switch.

One position opperates with the dash lights on and the other with them off and of course the middle position all off.

[boatfixer]

All you would need to do is find the blue wire running to your guages, that is the dash light wire. trace it back to the light switch, disconnect it and move it to another accessory switch if there is one. If not, simply install another switch in that wire.

[Valv]

If you look underneath the dash you'll see the wiring for the gauges. Illumination is usually a blue wire.

Follow the wire from the gauges to just before, and add a switch so you can turn it on or off. You can probably get a matching switch from Alumacraft and add it to your dash.

[Valv]

Boatfixer, we added same reply few minutes apart

[boatfixer]

Looks like we have ourselves a consensus

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks guys

[marine_man]

You could also disconnect the power wire the feeds the backlights (chase the blue wire discussed above) and connect it to the purple wire on the gauges, which means the backlights are on everytime the key is on.

marine_man

[SkunkedAgain]

That's the opposite of what I want. I may go with a switch or I might just got the blue wire and not ever have those lights on.

[croixflats]

Add a switch or do the three way, there will be times you will want to see your gauges. Like fuel or your rpm's or even the tilt of your motor if you have a trim gauge. Going through rocky and shallow areas guesing how deep the motor is in the water kind of scary.

[BobT]

I think I'd install a dimmer switch rather than just an on/off switch.

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks for all of the advice. I found that all of the dash instruments had blue wires heading into a main blue wire. I cut that and threw in a cheap on/off switch. It worked perfect. I'll probably follow BobT's advice and search for a dimmer switch and then pop it into the dash. At the moment I have to reach under the dash to find the switch.