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Author Topic:   Montauk 170: Gauge Fogging

osillator posted 07-28-2003 11:31 PM ET (US)
My 2002 Mercury gauges often fog up, especially soon after first going out at beginning of the day. I have heard a few other new owners mention this on this web site. My last trip to my dealer I asked if this was suppose to happen and they said they thought it was normal.
They always clear after running a while. What have any of you experienced and what did your dealer say? Please Help.
Note; These are the standard 170 montauk factory installed gauges.
dgp posted 07-29-2003 07:15 AM ET (US)
Gage fogging on these inexpensive type electric gauges is normal.
meb posted 07-29-2003 07:53 AM ET (US)
I have the same problem with my 2003 170 gauges and also condensate in the [combined sidelights lamp fixture]. I also have problems keeping the drain lines from the cup holders attached (they were not attached when I purchased the boat) and the ignition switch usually takes several tries before I get power to the the gauges. I found several other problems with the console construction. I think they finished my boat near closing time.
Jimm posted 07-29-2003 09:29 AM ET (US)
I can help you with the drain lines from the cup holders and the drain line from the 12 volt power source. The drain from the cup holder and power source should be a half inch longer; that's not gonna happen so you have to use some type of clamp, preferably SS on them. That tie wrap attempt just doesn't cut it.
4WHALERS posted 07-29-2003 01:23 PM ET (US)
I have noticed the same thing on the voltmeter. Boat is a month old. Have not noticed it on the other gauges. Seems to clear up as soon as direct sunlight gets a hold of it.
ghefty posted 07-29-2003 03:48 PM ET (US)
I find all three of my gauges are fogged in the morning, they clear up once the sun warms them up a bit. But, it makes me wonder how long before a moisture induced failure occurs.
Curious that you mentioned the [combined sidelights lamp fixture], last weekend I discovered (as the sun was setting) that my bow light had failed.
lhg posted 07-30-2003 07:35 PM ET (US)
The domed Mercury "Flagship" series gauges supplied with Whalers are madeby Teleflex, and are basically the same as the Teleflex Premier Pro series, advertized as "Fog Free".
They are not! All instrument gauges should be wired so that the light is on when the engine is running. This heat helps keeps them drier.
osillator posted 07-30-2003 10:47 PM ET (US)
Thanks, IHG That is what my dealer said, was that the gauges were wired at factory to burn at all times ignition is on to burn off fog but fog free is a joke!!
sweetdreams posted 07-31-2003 05:25 PM ET (US)
I have had my 2003 montauk since march, same fogging issue as everyone else. It does go away after running for awhile.
JohnJ80 posted 08-08-2003 09:58 PM ET (US)
I mounted all teleflex on my Dauntless 15 - two voltmeters, a tach and the trim gauge. They all fogged horribly - although the smaller gauges were far worse than the large ones (go figure).
So, when I added a speedo this year, I added a Faria one that almost exactly matches. Wonderful gauge, cost more but no fogging. You get what you pay for.
I am thinking about replacing all my gauges with Faria ones like my speedo. However, I found out that for some stupid reason, Faria needs a smaller mounting hole than everyone else. Therefore, the holes in the dash are all slightly too big.
So, that means the alternative is to do the Starboard thing - which could look pretty good. But those fogging gauges have got to go.
Incidentally, mine are wired on (lights) all the time. I disconnected one of the same size and could discern no noticeable difference in defogging them.
I also keep my boat covered with a center console cover. The cover helps, but marginally.
j
bigmac posted 07-08-2007 06:14 PM ET (US)
There is a unique product..have no idea what it is made from...but it works on hatches,guages and auto windscreens.."CAP'T TOLLEYS CREEPING CRACK CURE" from West Marine.. a thin liquid in a squeeze bottle,goes on lookin milky like polyurethane and dries clear,lasts for at least a season.. and keeps water from infiltrating in between the "glass" and bezel.
Feejer posted 07-09-2007 09:33 AM ET (US)
The volt gauge on my 05 Montauk has been fogging for the last month. I really miss the digital gauges I had with my Yamaha. They were sweet.
Perry posted 07-09-2007 01:38 PM ET (US)
Damp-rid placed in my center console while it is stored removes all moisture in the console. You can find it at your local hardware store.
samster posted 07-09-2007 06:00 PM ET (US)
The reason they fog up is that the original incandescent bulbs generate heat, and the humidity in the air condenses on the lens of the gauges. Just change the light bulbs on the gauges to LED bulbs and it will fix the problem. It worked for me, and I live in Miami, where it is 90% plus humidity most of the year.
gbcbu posted 07-11-2007 07:36 AM ET (US)
samster.
Thank you for the tip. Do you have a guess as to why ( in my instance) it happens only to the volt gauge and does the bow nav light already have LED bulbs? Just digging a little deeper for an answer.
GreatBayNH posted 07-11-2007 10:30 AM ET (US)
The bow light is not LED. I've been in the bow lamp housing more times than I would like to admit. I wouldn't waste too much time trying to avoid moisture in the bow lamp housing except to maybe seal the lame gasket with something better than the factory does (which is with nothing). I spent some time sealing the lamp housing and it still gets moisture in there. I originally blamed the moisture on my intermittent bow lamp illumination but the problem is in the center console. The connection of the bow light to the rocker switch gets loose underneath and needs tightening from time to time.
-Seth
skram posted 11-27-2012 03:33 PM ET (US)
[Revived this thread that had been dormant for five years only to change the topic. Please just start a new thread. Don't revive five-year-old threads and change the topic. Thank you--jimh]

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Author	Topic: Montauk 170: Gauge Fogging
osillator	posted 07-28-2003 11:31 PM ET (US) My 2002 Mercury gauges often fog up, especially soon after first going out at beginning of the day. I have heard a few other new owners mention this on this web site. My last trip to my dealer I asked if this was suppose to happen and they said they thought it was normal. They always clear after running a while. What have any of you experienced and what did your dealer say? Please Help. Note; These are the standard 170 montauk factory installed gauges.
dgp	posted 07-29-2003 07:15 AM ET (US) Gage fogging on these inexpensive type electric gauges is normal.
meb	posted 07-29-2003 07:53 AM ET (US) I have the same problem with my 2003 170 gauges and also condensate in the [combined sidelights lamp fixture]. I also have problems keeping the drain lines from the cup holders attached (they were not attached when I purchased the boat) and the ignition switch usually takes several tries before I get power to the the gauges. I found several other problems with the console construction. I think they finished my boat near closing time.
Jimm	posted 07-29-2003 09:29 AM ET (US) I can help you with the drain lines from the cup holders and the drain line from the 12 volt power source. The drain from the cup holder and power source should be a half inch longer; that's not gonna happen so you have to use some type of clamp, preferably SS on them. That tie wrap attempt just doesn't cut it.
4WHALERS	posted 07-29-2003 01:23 PM ET (US) I have noticed the same thing on the voltmeter. Boat is a month old. Have not noticed it on the other gauges. Seems to clear up as soon as direct sunlight gets a hold of it.
ghefty	posted 07-29-2003 03:48 PM ET (US) I find all three of my gauges are fogged in the morning, they clear up once the sun warms them up a bit. But, it makes me wonder how long before a moisture induced failure occurs. Curious that you mentioned the [combined sidelights lamp fixture], last weekend I discovered (as the sun was setting) that my bow light had failed.
lhg	posted 07-30-2003 07:35 PM ET (US) The domed Mercury "Flagship" series gauges supplied with Whalers are madeby Teleflex, and are basically the same as the Teleflex Premier Pro series, advertized as "Fog Free". They are not! All instrument gauges should be wired so that the light is on when the engine is running. This heat helps keeps them drier.
osillator	posted 07-30-2003 10:47 PM ET (US) Thanks, IHG That is what my dealer said, was that the gauges were wired at factory to burn at all times ignition is on to burn off fog but fog free is a joke!!
sweetdreams	posted 07-31-2003 05:25 PM ET (US) I have had my 2003 montauk since march, same fogging issue as everyone else. It does go away after running for awhile.
JohnJ80	posted 08-08-2003 09:58 PM ET (US) I mounted all teleflex on my Dauntless 15 - two voltmeters, a tach and the trim gauge. They all fogged horribly - although the smaller gauges were far worse than the large ones (go figure). So, when I added a speedo this year, I added a Faria one that almost exactly matches. Wonderful gauge, cost more but no fogging. You get what you pay for. I am thinking about replacing all my gauges with Faria ones like my speedo. However, I found out that for some stupid reason, Faria needs a smaller mounting hole than everyone else. Therefore, the holes in the dash are all slightly too big. So, that means the alternative is to do the Starboard thing - which could look pretty good. But those fogging gauges have got to go. Incidentally, mine are wired on (lights) all the time. I disconnected one of the same size and could discern no noticeable difference in defogging them. I also keep my boat covered with a center console cover. The cover helps, but marginally. j
bigmac	posted 07-08-2007 06:14 PM ET (US) There is a unique product..have no idea what it is made from...but it works on hatches,guages and auto windscreens.."CAP'T TOLLEYS CREEPING CRACK CURE" from West Marine.. a thin liquid in a squeeze bottle,goes on lookin milky like polyurethane and dries clear,lasts for at least a season.. and keeps water from infiltrating in between the "glass" and bezel.
Feejer	posted 07-09-2007 09:33 AM ET (US) The volt gauge on my 05 Montauk has been fogging for the last month. I really miss the digital gauges I had with my Yamaha. They were sweet.
Perry	posted 07-09-2007 01:38 PM ET (US) Damp-rid placed in my center console while it is stored removes all moisture in the console. You can find it at your local hardware store.
samster	posted 07-09-2007 06:00 PM ET (US) The reason they fog up is that the original incandescent bulbs generate heat, and the humidity in the air condenses on the lens of the gauges. Just change the light bulbs on the gauges to LED bulbs and it will fix the problem. It worked for me, and I live in Miami, where it is 90% plus humidity most of the year.
gbcbu	posted 07-11-2007 07:36 AM ET (US) samster. Thank you for the tip. Do you have a guess as to why ( in my instance) it happens only to the volt gauge and does the bow nav light already have LED bulbs? Just digging a little deeper for an answer.
GreatBayNH	posted 07-11-2007 10:30 AM ET (US) The bow light is not LED. I've been in the bow lamp housing more times than I would like to admit. I wouldn't waste too much time trying to avoid moisture in the bow lamp housing except to maybe seal the lame gasket with something better than the factory does (which is with nothing). I spent some time sealing the lamp housing and it still gets moisture in there. I originally blamed the moisture on my intermittent bow lamp illumination but the problem is in the center console. The connection of the bow light to the rocker switch gets loose underneath and needs tightening from time to time. -Seth
skram	posted 11-27-2012 03:33 PM ET (US) [Revived this thread that had been dormant for five years only to change the topic. Please just start a new thread. Don't revive five-year-old threads and change the topic. Thank you--jimh]