Useless panel switches???

[recppd]

Have a recently purchased 2004 Albin 28 Flush Deck and have noticed that the helm panel has a Fuel Gauge switch that goes Left - Middle - Right. Previous owner had an ON sticker on the right side of the switch, but I have no idea why??? The switch doesn't seem to do anything, similar to the Salt Water washdown switch (which the boat does not currently have) or the Air Conditioning switch on the AC panel (which the boat doesn't have). You'd think Albin would have made these "Spares" or left them blank...

BTW, if anyone knows what that Fuel Gauge switch is for, please enlighten me...

Thanks.

[dkircher]

On our 1998 28 TE engine box, the two position switch actually turns the fuel gauge on and off. Why, is a mystery. Our panel also has other switches that serve questionnable purposes. I guess that's what makes our boats "unique".

[recppd]

So you have the same Fuel Gauge switch? Does it do anything for you? It does nothing for me...

[Tree]

Does it not turn your fuel gauge on or is your fuel gauge active all the time?

[Jeremyvmd]

Mine turns on the fuel guage (bad sender so it doesn't matter) both ways. I suspect the reason it's a 3 position is because you could get the early boats with a second fuel tank. My boat came with a TON of paperwork from when the previous owners were shopping for either a 28 or 31 (I wish I coulda gotten a 31 for the price I paid...lol) and one one of the price lists they had it listed a second fuel tank. So it was prob easier for Albin to have all the switch panels made the exact same way...since they were u likely making them inhouse.

[DougSea]

Pretty sure Jeremy nailed it. There was a smaller forward tank option (it would be under the helm) and I'd assume you could flip the gauge switch to read either tank.

[Russell]

My guess is the fuel gauge switch is an easy way to have a circuit breaker in the line for safety. However it can also give you a fright like the time it was inadvertently turned off when I was way off shore. I looked down at the gauge and saw the tank was completely empty and had quite a start before noticing the position of the fuel gauge switch.

[TimQ]

As noted by Dougsea, it's for reading fuel level in two tanks using one gauge.
The second fuel tank is located just forward of the engine in my 28.

[catalina_mike]

When you are making a bunch of panels for the Albin line they encompass most of the variants. Mine had both on positions of the three position switch wired up so either position would power the gauge and sender.

[carolmarie]

Regarding the AC panel and the AC switch; I believe the air conditioning switch was included because the boat is FULLY wired to add the AC at some future date. Mine was and it made the addition of my AC way easier. Perhaps the same is true for the raw water wash down. Don.

[Pitou]

Regarding the AC panel and the AC switch; I believe the air conditioning switch was included because the boat is FULLY wired to add the AC at some future date. Mine was and it made the addition of my AC way easier. Perhaps the same is true for the raw water wash down. Don.

.. and on my 28, I added a thru-hull with baitwell pump and a thru-hull with saltwater wash. The wiring and switches were all in place making for an easier and OEM type install .. Not useless at all!

[carolmarie]

When you are making a bunch of panels for the Albin line they encompass most of the variants. Mine had both on positions of the three position switch wired up so either position would power the gauge and sender.

My fuel switch is wired the same as Mike's. Obviously a "two tank" switch wired cleverly when only one tank is installed. Don.