c.1986 OUTRAGE 18: Dash Panel Red Lamps; Fuel Hose Diameter

[Don SSDD]

RED BUTTONS AND LAMPS
On a 1986 Outrage 18 dashboard there is a red plastic button under the wheel in a panel. Under the remote shift lever there are two red lamps. What are they for? I'm adding an electrical panel. Were these lamps and buttons stock? What are they for?

[This 1986 OUTRAGE 18] originally had twin engine but now has a single Honda 130-HP. There are Honda lamps next to the ignition key switch. The original light switches are there.

FUEL HOSE DIAMETER: From what I see the [fuel tank] vent [hose] runs from forward of the console to the area under the filler and measures 7/8-inches outside diameter. The fuel filler hose has an outside diameter of 1-7/8-inches and runs to the top of the tank next to the tank level gauge. The outboard engine is fed by a hose from the tank at the stern area. Is this the correct and stock setup for fuel lines? It's different than what was on my Guardian.

Thanks,
Don

[ConB]

The fuel line set up is the same as my 1987 Outrage 18 has.

The other stuff my boat does not have.

Con

[Don SSDD]

Thanks for the reply.

That fuel filler hose bends 90-degrees and looks like a bit of muscle was needed to install it. Is there anything inside that hose to keep it from collapsing? Or does the marine hose have enough bend-ability to work without additional support?

The vent hose has a spring on the outside where it connects at the filler neck, to keep it from collapsing.

[jimh]

To deduce the purpose of any electrical device, follow the electrical wiring from the electrical device to its destination. This method will usually provide insight into the purpose of the device.

Fuel filler hose usually has an embedded metal helically-wound layer that provides stiffness and prevents the hose from collapse. In some instances the 90-degree end was accomplished with a 90-degree elbow fitting.

Because the boat with these fuel hoses was made in 1986, you should make a careful visual inspection of all the fuel hose. Look for a marking on the outside of the hose that indicates the hose is tolerant of alcohol-gasoline blended fuels. The introduction of alcohol-gasoline blended fuels began at about that time. Labeling of fuel hose was then common to have an indicator that the hose was alcohol tolerant. The labeling should also clearly state the data of manufacture. And, most important, the labeling should state the rating of the fuel hose by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The USCG agency rates fuel hose according to permeability and flame resistance. The ratings are

A1--fire resistant, least permeable; used for fuel feed lines; can have fuel in the hose at all times
A2--fire resistant; not intended for applications which will have fuel in the hose at all times
B1--not fire resistant; use above deck; can have fuel in the hose at all times
B2--not fire resistant; use above deck; not designed for fuel in the hose at all times.

Or, more formally and from federal law:

183.540 Hoses: Standards and markings.

(a) "USCG Type A1" hose means hose that meets the performance requirements of:


(1) SAE Standard J1527DEC85, Class 1 and the fire test in Sec.183.590; or
(2) Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. (UL) Standard 1114.

(b) "USCG Type A2" hose means hose that meets the performance requirements of
SAE Standard J1527DEC85, Class 2 and the fire test in Sec 183.590;

(c) "USCG Type B1" hose means hose that meets the performance requirements of
SAE Standard J1527DEC85, Class 1.

(d) "USCG Type B2" hose means hose that meets the performance requirements of
SAE Standard J1527DEC85 Class 2

(e) Each “USCG Type A1,” “USCG Type A2,” “USCG Type B1,” and “USCG Type B2” hose must be identified by the manufacturer by a marking on the hose.

(f) Each marking must contain the following information in English:


(1) The statement “USCG TYPE (insert A1 or A2 or B1 or B2).”
(2) The year in which the hose was manufactured.
(3) The manufacturer's name or registered trademark

(g) Each character must be block capital letters and numerals that are at least one eighth-inch high.

(h) Each marking must be permanent, legible, and on the outside of the hose at intervals of 12 inches or less.

RECOMMENDATION: if the fuel hoses on the c.1986 boat are not clearly marked as being alcohol tolerant, consider replacement of the hoses if use of alcohol-gasoline blended fuels is anticipated.

[Don SSDD]

Thanks Jim.

[Don SSDD]

I meant to add, I am replacing the fuel lines, they are all pretty ugly looking, flaking and the filler is hard and cracked.

[Don SSDD]

The fuel line from the tank to the outboard was original USCG 1986, it was pretty crusty. I'm sure the fill line and vent line are also original.

RED BUTTON--did Boston Whaler boats of c.1986 have an emergency power shut-off switch?

There are only two conductors on the back of the RED BUTTON [now called a] switch: both have lime green [insulation] and are AWG- 8 or AWG-10 gauge. The setup looks factory-original. The panel the button is mount into matches the panel with the lighting switches which look original Whaler style.

Thanks,
Don

[jimh]

It was common for a Boston Whaler boat dash board to have black, rectangular panels that were blank and to which an owner could add electrical components like switches, lamps, selectors, and so on.

Refer to the REFERNCE article about wire insulation color to try to identify the function of an electrical circuit from the color of the wire insulation. Again, GREEN is only used for a bonding conductor. YELLOW is used for the DC GROUND on boats that have a mix of 120-VAC and 12-VOLT DC wiring.

On a boat where the center console is about in the middle and the boat is only 18-feet long, it should be possible to follow the path of any electrical circuit from a control element like a switch to a load being controlled. Follow the "lime-green" wires to see what load was connected to them. It can't be more than about 10-feet away. That should limit the possibilities.

[jimh]

The fuel line from the tank to the outboard was original USCG 1986, it was pretty crusty. I'm sure the fill line and vent line are also original.

That is no surprise, but what were the markings on the fuel hoses?

[jimh]

...did Boston Whaler boats of c.1986 have an emergency power shut-off switch?n

I have never seen any Boston Whaler boat with a RED emergency power shut off switch. I assume you mean electrical power.