New dash layout

ncp · 02 June 2012, 23:02

Any input would be appreciated (maybe there are things I'm not considering)

I have the aluminum sheet cut to size and have covered it in blue 3M masking tape. For whatever reason, I've taped the backside and layed everything out in the mirror of how it will attach to the console.

My throttle is on the right, I was planning the gauge cluster right center, the HDS-7 far left, and the stereo lower left. Along the bottom, I'll lay all of toggle switches/circuit breakers. There's currently an iPod dock there in the lower right but I'm not set on even having that. Also, I put anything "in" (12v Aux plugs/3.5 mm audio in) close to the top so that it's not a long cable run to whatever is sitting on top of the console

I'll probably redo this many times before I start cutting but I thought that I would ask. One suggestion so far was to put the HDS right in the center and build around that. I might consider that but I need to see if the steering wheel will cover any of it.

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jyasaki · 03 June 2012, 05:57

If your throttle is to the left in the picture, won't the wheel obscure all the gauges in the center? Or is the wheel below your panel?

jky

ncp · 03 June 2012, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

If your throttle is to the left in the picture, won't the wheel obscure all the gauges in the center? Or is the wheel below your panel?

jky

Throttle is to right, standard US layout. I have everything in picture flipped because I was going to cut into it from the backside. So, HDS will be far left unobstructed, gages will be center right. The wheel will cover lower/middle/center a bit but sits almost 6 inches away from the dash.

Hightower · 03 June 2012, 15:58

You might want to give some thought to upgrades in a few years time. They are usually larger (screens), so give your chartplotter as much room as you can afford

ncp · 03 June 2012, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

You might want to give some thought to upgrades in a few years time. They are usually larger (screens), so give your chartplotter as much room as you can afford

True! If I were to ever get a bigger chartplotter, I would have to move the AM/FM/iPod head unit someplace else and have the chartplotter fill the whole left side. Or, something else would need to happen if I were to go really big. The whole panel is 11 inches tall and of that I have just less than 9 to work with vertically. Bigger plotter and I'd be spending another $25 for a sheet of aluminum to make a whole new dash!