1994 225 osprey rebuild

[Flnative]

Allen,
Have Faria and BEP teamed up on a project?  As late as '10, BEP was repped by Wm. F. Miller, Faria by J.B. Dunn.  I know at that time Faria already had direct replacement gauges for Smartcraft, and had just come out with replacements for Suzuki SMIS gauges (since SMIS is just LMF-400s with Zuke software, probably could've done I-Command as well).  We were going to do a Faria install on a pair of Zuke 175s but Faria's harness interfacing needed a bit of work, so we stuck with SMIS...

Bob, I don't think BEP and Faria have connected, at least not that I have heard of.  I know Faria doesn't make the conversion from analog to digital only due to not having a built in power source, which is why I had to bring in NoLand to make that conversion work, but they do have the smartcraft and other OEM compatible gauges.

[Flnative]

Just gel coated the entire console today, now just sand and buff and I'll be ready to start cutting new holes for all my toys to mount!  I'll put pics up soon.

[seabob4]

I wouldn't think so either Allen.  The guy who used to run JB Dunn, Chris Byal, is now with GSW & Assoc., I'm sure he took his accounts (Faria included) with him...

If you're not set in stone on equipment placement, I'd make cardboard templates of the electronics flat, helm and binnacle flat, etc., to do some playing around...

[Flnative]

I wouldn't think so either Allen.  The guy who used to run JB Dunn, Chris Byal, is now with GSW & Assoc., I'm sure he took his accounts (Faria included) with him...

If you're not set in stone on equipment placement, I'd make cardboard templates of the electronics flat, helm and binnacle flat, etc., to do some playing around...

I built the extension piece for specific electronics, and the lower console will be the 12 inch HDS touch over the helm, and a PC panel opposite.  I do have a few other products that I may do the cardboard templates with, as I don't yet know where to mount those.

[Flnative]

Hey guys...back with some more updates.  Just got my Lowrance HDS 12 touch Gen2 and decided to cut the hole before I installed my console extension that I built earlier.  

I also got the external GPS pod, a 1kw xducer, and the sonic hub.  I'll have those images as I install them.

It was a tight fit but i got it.

I dropped it in dry, along with the Uflex Silversteer helm and Teleflex binnacle to see how they all played together.  Turned out pretty good.  I need to mention that the UFlex steering helm is one heavy helm, which is a good thing, as it speaks quality.  I'm really looking forward to getting the Uflex Silversteer under load.  I think it's going to be everything I was looking for.    

Next I had to get ready to install the BEP digital switching system, and rather than spending the day inside the console, I decided to install a few hatches that I picked up from High Tide Manufacturing.  Here's the order I put in with Hight Tide.  



I got two flush mount tackle centers, one large around for the bow step up, and one smaller for the transom, a flush mount wash down kit, a shallow dry box, a drop in dry storage tub, a trash can hatch along with various sized hatches, and various sized deck plates.  These hatches and accessories seem very well made.  The material is heavy, solid hinges, very good quality latching handles, and they seat well into the sealed rings.

So now on to the BEP install.  I cut the front of the console where the backrest for the seat will be so I could mount all the modules inside for easy access.  

I Installed a removable hatch rather than one with hinges just so it wouldn't be in the way.

I also installed a side door where the old fire extinguisher used to be to gain access to the backside of the module board, as I will be installed the electronic battery switches, NMEA cabling, power, and other things on this side. I'll have pics when I get to this side.


Now the fun part; installing the signals boxes and power modules.  Oh wait, here's the switches on the helm first.



Those are the 16 switches that wire into the signal interfaces. Below is the power modules being installed.


The images above show the power modules and interfaces without their covers.  I'll finish up the module aspect of the install tomorrow and post the final wired in products.  There are three more modules mounted on the side walls, as I didn't have enough room to put them all on the face board.  It's a lot of modules and communication between them, but the end result is a very smart NMEA 2000 system that integrates with my HDS 12 and other products.

I'll have an update on the full BEP system install, as we are getting very close to wrapping it up.  As soon as the Johnson bilge pumps come in, I'll be installing them and then moving to the Uflex full install, as well as the Teleflex cables.

[RickK]

Looking good  

[pete]

Wow,that a lot of hatches!Can't wait to see it finished.Very nice work

[Flnative]

Thanks Rick and Pete.  It sure is a lot of hatches, and I still have another 3 or so to get, but they are odd ball sizes that I can't seem to find right now.  Thankfully Hight Tide had pretty much everything I needed in one stop.  The search continues...

[Flnative]

Hey all, sorry for the delay again...just got busy with work, and the rain hasn't let up much in the last few weeks.  I managed to get some done over the last few days and will post when I wrap up the battery install, switches, pumps, etc.

[Flnative]

Hey guys, to anyone that was interested in this build, sorry for the delay...been a busy year running my own business, trying to finish my book, and trying to work on the boat in this crazy weather.  I have recently spent some time on it, and will post those soon.  Hope everyone had a great New Year!

[fishinonthebrain]

Don't sweat being busy we all have a life. I have had to put off my rebuild for some time due to weather and life. Just get busy and give us some boat porn.