Feel free to stick if worthy enough.
I wanted to share the install that I did on my 2010 Z-7. A dimmer switch was installed to control the console gauge brightness. Those that fish after dark know how bright gauges can interfere with seeing whats ahead.
In less than two hours this install can be completed. I'm not sure that this will work on all Nitro's as I don't know how all are wires and colored.
Instructions...
1. You'll need to purchase a dimmer switch. The switch must be a two wire switch. One wire for Battery and one wire for Load. This is important. I used Cole Hersee switch 74601-01. This is designed for lighting circuits and rated for 7 Amps. You can get this thru West Marine or Napa Auto Parts. You save about $20 thru Napa however it is special order and could take 2 to 3 weeks to get.
Switch http://www.colehersee.com/pdf/...c.PDF
West Marine http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/....html
2. Crawl under your console and look at the back side of your gauges. Each gauge is fed with a purple wire that goes the "L" terminal and jumpers to the "I" terminal. Pull the wire off each "L" terminal but leave the jumper attached to the "I" terminal. If you turn your key to "ON" you'll notice the lights will not light up.
3. To keep things simple I obtained several feet of purple 16GA wire. I also picked up a couple packs of bullet terminals and disconnect termimals in male and female to tie into the existing wiring/gauge terminals.
I also bought a small pack of 6 position WAGO blocks. You can get all this stuff at your local Home Depot, Lowes, ect.
4. I cut pieces of purple wire and tied all 3 ends into the WAGO block. The other end needs to have a female terminal that fits into the gauge terminal. After this harness is complete make a indentical 2nd one.
The from Wago Block to Wago Block jumper those together witha 12" jumper wire.
5. Decide where you want your switch. I located mine above the light rocker switch. If you don't want to drill a hole in your boat you could locate this somewhere under your console. If drilling you'll need to drill a 7/16" hole. Start small and step up in small increments. Too big of increments could cause the gel coat to chip around the edges of the hole.
From the white wire on the dimmer switch terminate that wire to one of purple wires you originally pulled off the gauges. I had used the one feeding the RPM "L" terminal.
From the red wire on the switch terminate that to one of the Wago blocks.
The remaining wires you originally pulled of the gauges put some black electrical tape over the ends to protect.
With this type of wiring you can put it back to original in a snap.
Here's a diagram.
I'm very happy on how well this works.
Gary R.
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