Trim Sender Opinion

[cbavier]

Needs some opinions here please. I have an IO Alpha One and the trim Indicator stopped working last fall. In tracing the wires I found bare wires at the sending unit on the lower unit. I talked to the repairman at my Marina and he said the outdrive had to be pulled to replace wires and the sender. Costs with labor about $450 plus the sender.
Somebody else told me of a Private Business which I know about and he is reputable, so I stopped and talked to him. He said to do it right would require pulling the outdrive and it would cost about $250 plus parts. But he said he could do a Jury rig job and drill a hole and run the wires through the Transom for about $90 plus Parts. What are your thoughts about the Jury Rigging. I just want the indicator to work on the dash. I have a swim platform and it's impossible to see the outdrive. I depend on the Depth Alarm and the Trim Indicator. Share your thoughts.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

Never had any use for the trim gauge, but it shoud be done properly if repaired.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

NO WAY! do it right or don't do it.... this is a fairly simple job and there is no reason for it to cost $450 BUT it often does cost that just because it is a boat.... While you are in there you should replace the bellows and water hose and also do the impeller and outdrive oil if they have not been done recently....

The first time I ever worked on a mercruiser it was this very job and while the "trustworthy" marinas told me to not even attempt and wanted like $700 to do it.... I did it myself in about two hours.... no probs to this day.... The problem with taking it to "a guy" is that there are a few things that are not plainly obvious and if not done right will sink your boat so while you get raped by the marine tech you also get the job hopefully done right....

You can save ALOT of money buying the parts yourself online but many shops will refuse to use customer supplied parts, They will claim that they can't guarantee the job because the parts could be low quality, and to a point that could be true BUT the main reason is that they buy the parts even cheaper than you can and have a huge markup on them.... If this guy can show his mercruiser service manual and he knows what he is doing then get the right parts and have him do it the right way

 

[cbavier]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

The "Guy" has a big service garage. He works on Boats inboard as well as outboards, Four Wheelers, snowmobiles, Lawn Tractors, Rototillers and anything else that needs repair. He has a good reputation. He said he could pull the outdrive and do the whole job in one day. He said it only takes about four hours. I too was thinking about having him change the bellows and impeller while he had the outdrive off. If I went the long route.
Thanks Kevin.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

Chuck, I think the price and work he cited is outrageous. I would be concerned that that guy has no idea what he is doing.

If the wires exist on the outside of the boat, it should be pretty easy to splice in a new sendor. It should only take a couple of minutes.

Additionally, the trim gauge is useless (or nearly so) on any boat. You should trim by feel. When tilting the motor up, you can hear the PTT sound change when it is fully up.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

Splicing to the old wires is not an option. The wires deteriorate and the insulation falls off of them, requiring replacement, which means drive removal.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

If the wires exist on the outside of the boat, it should be pretty easy to splice in a new sendor. It should only take a couple of minutes.

Ayuh,... They're inaccessible, in the transom assembley...

I also agree, Learn to use your "Seat of the Pants" gauge....
It's Much more accurate,+ Reliable...

 

[cbavier]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

Chuck, I think the price and work he cited is outrageous. I would be concerned that that guy has no idea what he is doing.

If the wires exist on the outside of the boat, it should be pretty easy to splice in a new sendor. It should only take a couple of minutes.

Additionally, the trim gauge is useless (or nearly so) on any boat. You should trim by feel. When tilting the motor up, you can hear the PTT sound change when it is fully up.

Chris that's what I did the past couple months of boating last fall. Just going by feel and sound. Feel on plane and sound when going all the way up or down. Thanks everyone for your imput. I do have to disagree with you about the trim gauge being useless though.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

I also agree, Learn to use your "Seat of the Pants" gauge....
It's Much more accurate,+ Reliable...

The gauge is great when used in conjunction with a spreadsheet that correlates wind speed/direction, wave height/frequency/direction, boat speed over water, current load, load distribution and trim position on gauge. Of course it would cover the entire windshield and the type would be too small to read, and you would have to find your new correct setting every minute or two as conditions change.

OR

like bondo said, there is always the option of learning what the boat needs and just doing it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

I do have to disagree with you about the trim gauge being useless though.

Ayuh,... No problem,... That means ALL ya gotta do is,... Cut the Check...

 

[PitchFork]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

I have lived without one ever since I have owned a boat which is only three years. When I eventually replace the bellows probably in the next 2 years, I then will replace the trim sender and limit switch. Until then I have learned the feel of the boat at different trim levels. I have researched the parts and if you get lucky you can find the switch and sender on eBay for $65 or less.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

you don't need a trim guage to run the boat but it is nice to have..... once in a while I like to look at it before I gas it or if running shallow (at idle) I'll trim way up and use the guage instead of listening for the u joints to start complaining....

on a twin it's nice to match em .... might actually help fuel economy

MOST importantly though the more needles moving on the dash the cooler you are

 

[180shabah]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

...ALL ya gotta do is,... Cut the Check...

Pretty much says it all right there.

Personally I would rather use that hole in the dash for oil temp, depth finder, vacuum etc, but it really doesn't matter cause it ain't MY boat.

If the OP want a working trim indicator, so be it.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

on a twin it's nice to match em

assuming someone took the time to synchronize them (time and effort) and they remain synchronized through the entire range (not likely). Flow scan is still your best friend here.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

I'll take the time any time they need it.... flow scan would be nice.... I have been shopping and one day I'll be able to afford it

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

Guages like clocks need to be both reliable and accurate. I have never found a Trim Gauge to be either. The ones I have had did not act in a linear way. They would show full up or full down, but were not consistent at in-between settings.

Remember a stopped clock is accurate twice a day, however it is not reliable.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

don't get me wrong...... they really aren't important nor do they always work well.... I am of the school that if they are there I want em to work... That goes for anything on the boat.... if it doesn't work I either fix it or remove it

 

[cbavier]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

don't get me wrong...... they really aren't important nor do they always work well.... I am of the school that if they are there I want em to work... That goes for anything on the boat.... if it doesn't work I either fix it or remove it

Mine worked fine and was very accurate. I used it religiously until it quit and then I had to rely on feel and sound. I WILL get it working again this year. My boat is still in storage. Coming out of the barn 17th of April. I have full instrumentation and all instruments work well and are accurate except the Amp Guage which quivers at idle and of course the trim indicator now. No to someone who posted you cannot splice the wires. They are only about an inch long and they are in the side of the outdrive. I did buy and try liquid tape to no avail. The sender was probably already fried from the bare wires rubbing on the outdrive housing/ casing .

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trim Sender Opinion

My 1981 boat is the only one that i have ever owned with an original working trim gauge..30 years old and still going strong..

I was always used to trimming by feel and the sound of the motor...
I rarely ever look at the gauge..