175 consol hatch removal help needed.

[flyboyo2]

Hi guys, it's Thumbs again.  Has anyone removed  this hatch?  The surround trim looks straight forward enough for removal but the smaller compartment behind the Aquasport acrylic panel might b a bear.  It has hangers from beneath the top panel and more screws and bolts that might be unreachable.  I'm good with chainsaw work but a little shakey with finer applications.  Did I mention that I'm old?

[Capt. Bob]

And you want to take this out why????

Easier access to the panel for re-wiring?

[flyboyo2]

Exactly, I have never seen such jack legged wiring done by a PO. In one foot of wiring there are 3 splices with 3 different colored wires of different gauges. The switch panel also needs rewiring.  I'm hesitant to cut any holes in the consol for access.

[RickK]

Exactly, I have never seen such jack legged wiring done by a PO. In one foot of wiring there are 3 splices with 3 different colored wires of different gauges. The switch panel also needs rewiring.  I'm hesitant to cut any holes in the consol for access.

Then the black plastic face has to come off for the access you need.

[Levi]

That's how I did BOTH my mako's ^. I took the panel(s) out where everything ties into and ran wiring to and from the respective places. Doing it this way also leaves you enough slack in the wires to remove the panel and repair or replace a switch/ wire or fuse holder or anything else that might go bad without having to stand on your head. I'm all about the two basic rules of working on stuff
 #1:  K.I.S.S
#2 : the two percent rule.