Smart Craft Gauge LCD Repair

[Matt]

For anyone running smartcraft with rubbish LCDs.

The LCD screens on my smartcraft gauges was illegible, so I ordered a set of new LCD screens and lenses from GaugeSaver.com

Easy to fit and quite a transformation.

Before, just after turning it on (I didn't mash up the gauge edges - they were pre-mashed):


After a couple of minutes. It continued to fade to invisibility (no point in showing the speedo before, you couldn't see anything at all):

After:

Both, including new lenses:


With the LCD on the speedo working, I can see my rib has done the equivalent of an atlantic crossing (well, to St Johns in Newfoundland, anyway)

[Jeff]

.. and if you don't need a replacement lens, just buy the LCD. The newer gauges are a single piece glass and don't discolour/craze.#

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...345a1802CydAAU


You tube has a good 'how-to' video. On the newer gauges,the front glass is removed by flipping out the spring retainer and prising out (carefully) the glass and seal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji7DaKm_PpY

I have one spare LCD if anyone needs one ;-)

[CJL]

Thank you - useful to know!

We have started taking our gauges off over winter to protect from frost now.

Chris

[Matt]

Put my repaired gauges back in today and, comparing the "master" gauges with my spare set, I can see the illumination is not the same. Bit of research and it looks like my master set that I just put new LCDs in have had the LCDs replaced before.

2 lessons here:
1. When they replaced the LCDs before, they threw out the diffusers - so the illumination is not quite right. Gits! New diffuser material on order. Most of the jobs I've had to do on the boat so far have been to correct previous jobs that weren't done right!
2. The replacement LCD's have clearly failed too!

FWIW, I ordered from gaugesaver since I think that guy is the actual person who originally worked it all out - he put the time and effort in. So I'd rather spend my money with him than with the chinese ones. Even if he's having them made in china - I don't mind paying a bit extra to support a small business.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating...placement.html
https://www.thehulltruth.com/boat-co...storation.html

CJL - the new lenses I have on mine are nice - AND the gauge covers are good too.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Matt

Put my repaired gauges back in today and, comparing the "master" gauges with my spare set, I can see the illumination is not the same. Bit of research and it looks like my master set that I just put new LCDs in have had the LCDs replaced before.

2 lessons here:
1. When they replaced the LCDs before, they threw out the diffusers - so the illumination is not quite right. Gits! New diffuser material on order. Most of the jobs I've had to do on the boat so far have been to correct previous jobs that weren't done right!
2. The replacement LCD's have clearly failed too!

FWIW, I ordered from gaugesaver since I think that guy is the actual person who originally worked it all out - he put the time and effort in. So I'd rather spend my money with him than with the chinese ones. Even if he's having them made in china - I don't mind paying a bit extra to support a small business.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating...placement.html
https://www.thehulltruth.com/boat-co...storation.html

CJL - the new lenses I have on mine are nice - AND the gauge covers are good too.

I bought the replacement lenses for my SC100 gauges from him several years ago & very pleased. But just wanting the LCDs for my updated glass SC1000's it suited me to go to the 'source [emoji6] ,,, and saved £'s

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Jeff

I bought the replacement lenses for my SC100 gauges from him several years ago & very pleased. But just wanting the LCDs for my updated glass SC1000's it suited me to go to the 'source [emoji6] ,,, and saved £'s

or E Bay : https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...C1000&_sacat=0