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Remove helm panel switches

Discussion in 'Post Yacht' started by Greg Page, May 29, 2021.

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  1. Greg Page, May 29, 2021
    #1
    Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    How do you remove the helm panel pull switches? Do the pull knobs unscrew (I tried unscrewing one but didn't move) or does the whole shaft come out?

    I want to remove the switches not used with the CAT power installation and cap the cutouts.

    Thanks
  2. NYCAP123, May 29, 2021
    #2
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Hard to be positive without a pic, but generally they're held by a nut behind the dash.
  3. Greg Page, May 29, 2021
    #3
    Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    They have a nut on the front side and a nut on the back side to adjust to panel thickness. They have to be removed out the back side, so somehow the knob portion (on or off of the shaft) has to remove.

    i can find listings for similar switches but no instructions online.
  4. NYCAP123, May 29, 2021
    #4
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Take off the back nut and disconnect the wires and the switch should come out the front. Sometimes it's reversed.
  5. Greg Page, May 29, 2021
    #5
    Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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  6. DOCKMASTER, May 29, 2021
    #6
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    If they are not the screw type they usually just pull off. They have a little spring clip holding them in place and should slide off the shaft with minimal force.
  7. Greg Page, May 29, 2021
    #7
    Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    I can try pulling harder, not really much to lose if they break I guess. They feel like the old style headlight switches which had a button on the switch body to release the pull rod but i didn't see a button to push.
  8. Capt Ralph, May 29, 2021
    #8
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The pull knob unscrews CCW. The trim nut under it unscrews ccw. With pliers, a third hand (if you can not reach around) on the switch body to keep it from spinning also. The switch is then serviced behind the panel.
    If the switch is bad and difficult, destroy the darn thing from behind the panel. The brass neck will crunch to tiny pieces under a good vice grip.
    Oh, Breakers off....
    Watch your fingers, these switches in pieces can produce sharp edges.
  9. Greg Page, May 29, 2021
    #9
    Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    Ill try holding the shaft with a vice grip and see if I can turn the knob. They are already unwired.

    greg
  10. NYCAP123, May 29, 2021
    #10
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Sounds like someone may have used some Locktite on that knob. 2 visegrips should beak the hold or break the shaft.
  11. Greg Page, May 31, 2021
    #11
    Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    Got t the switches out. No Loctite, just corrosion. In the end had to pull the switch panel partially to be able to get a thin plier on the back side nuts. Nickel plated plugs for the unused switch holes are due this week.
  12. Capt Ralph, May 31, 2021
    #12
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Loose much blood?
    I'm on Warfarin. You can always tell when I worked on your stuff.
    Like leaving a part of me behind as anti-corrosive.
  13. Greg Page, Jun 1, 2021
    #13
    Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    Surprisingly no. Cars, boats, airplanes all like it when they can draw a little blood but today came out clean.

    Doing more wiring clean up tomorrow, so that will probably make up for it.

    :D