Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I just purchased a 2008 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 Regency... I was wonder if the helm instruments are suppose to be back lite at night? It doesn't appear they have any lights. Anyone have this model or similar model that can tell me? Thanks!

They are usually tied into your running lights?

Myself I dislike gauge lighting and have pulled the bulbs as they rob you of your night-vision. What do I need to see that these gauges tell me? RPM? Nope. Fuel Level? No again. Trim? not really... Perhaps the previous owner removed the bulbs as I have?

teecro wrote:They are usually tied into your running lights?

Myself I dislike gauge lighting and have pulled the bulbs as they rob you of your night-vision. What do I need to see that these gauges tell me? RPM? Nope. Fuel Level? No again. Trim? not really... Perhaps the previous owner removed the bulbs as I have?

i put mine on a switch

teecro wrote:They are usually tied into your running lights?

Myself I dislike gauge lighting and have pulled the bulbs as they rob you of your night-vision. ...

I need to check what I even have, but a red lens bulb would help for night vision. Pilots use red to be able read charts and still be able to visually check out the window. Pupils don't dilate as much as standard lighting.

urbnsr wrote:... I need to check what I even have, but a red lens bulb would help for night vision. Pilots use red to be able read charts and still be able to visually check out the window. Pupils don't dilate as much as standard lighting.

You are indeed correct that red is not quite as obtrusive. I went looking for either red or lower wattage bulbs and really found neither; but I only looked just a wee bit...

It was easier to just remove the bulbs to the trio of gauges set highest in the dash as they tell me nothing that is truly important to me. My depth sounder and "do-all" Mercury gauge sit much lower in the dash and have adjustable lighting so they don't bother me at all....

Several observations I have from working on ships/boats for the last thirty years is that the electronics manf have yet to realize that their equipment will be used at night as even if they do include a dimmer feature it rarely if ever includes the stinking power button. When you likely have 2 dozen LED lights from various pieces of equipment glowing at you it gets overwhelming. The people who work in the wheelhouse at night will either paint over, tape over or otherwise find ways to obscure these lights from their view...

Mine are backlit.

Glenn