1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

[jadimylz]

I have a 1975 Johnson 135. I have recently purchased a used 3 wire tilt and trim unit. My question is, did any of these older units come without a solenoid? I can wire it directly to the switch with an in-line fuse and it works great, but when I wire in the solenoid it only goes down. I don't want to do any damage by wiring it directly to the switch if it's not suppose to be that way. Your help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

The early trim/tilts only came with one solenoid and it was wire for up only,down was direct to switch....

 

[jadimylz]

Re: 1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

I wired it with the solenoid that way, but it will only go down. I think the solenoid I have is a starter solenoid for a ford truck. Could that be the problem? I was told it would work.

 

[durban]

Re: 1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

i understand what you trying to do by wiring it to your solenoid it will work but only in one direction the motor needs to change direction to pump the oil for up or down of the ram therefore the motor needs to turn clockwise & anti clockwise if you get another solenoid & take one of those positive wires from the motor connect it to the solenoid it will then change direction or best is to get the original solenoid
i know Suzuki & Yamaha work on 2 independent solenoids

 

[RRitt]

Re: 1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

197x should be a 3w prestolite. The motor is a common ground design with blue=up and green=down. Gravity pulls the engine down and the motor does not need as much electricity for the green wire. You can install a solenoid if you wish and it will help protect your boat in case of electric fault.

as far as testing things out ... just hot wire the motor to a battery. black to negative and then apply power to either blue or green as desired. do not ever ground blue or green as it cause a short circuit and can burn out your motor.

 

[jadimylz]

Re: 1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

Thanks Guys! When I wire up two solenoids nothing works! Also, when I wire up just one solenoid it only goes down. I must be wiring it up wrong. Like I said when I wire it directly to the switch it works great. I just don't get it! Can you guys help with wiring the solenoid? I do have two ford truck solenoids. They have a big post on each side and two smaller post on the front. One has an "s" and the other an "I" beside them. I'm sorry to be such a pain. Just a rookie that's all!

 

[RRitt]

Re: 1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

solenoid coils need a ground. that would be my first guess. the coil isn't grounded so the solenoid doesn't flip "on".

 

[durban]

Re: 1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

i drew you a simple diagram you can wire it up using 2 independent solenoids . you can use a marine type toggle switch
1] ON
2]OFF
3]ON
with the + from battery on the [2] OFF terminal the other + coming from solenoid coil to the [1]ON terminal .
the other + coming from the other solenoid coil goes on terminal [3] ON
REMEMBER DC IS + TO -

 

[jadimylz]

Re: 1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

THANK YOU!!!! It works! Last question.. What gauge wire should I use for the black, green, blue, and power (red)?

 

[RRitt]

Re: 1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

gauge of wire depends on length of circuit. If distance from solenoid to motor is less than 36" then 14awg is good. from 3' to 6' I use 12awg and anything over 6ft 10awg.

solenoid +12v feed is typically a 10awg jumper with an inline 30A fuse from starter solenoid. motor ground is typically 10 or 12 awg to engine block. I use the molded in-line ATC with cole hersey self resetting circuit breakers to tap the + power connection from starter to trim. I adds about $4 to the cost of each harness but prevents the user from getting stuck off trailer due to broken fuse or connector blade.

Switch wiring is typically 18-20awg protected by console fuse panel. If you pull switch from an unprotected circuit, then add a 5A fuse. Ideal would be 5A slot in existing fuse panel. Alternate would be in-line fuse between switch center leg and power source. I prefer bussman type with twist housings for this application. Blue with white stripe and green with white is ideal color for control wires going back to solenoids. (solenoids are best mounted onto starter bracket inside engine). I often just use 2 white wires on a 6" leg with male bullet type quick connectors inside engine and female with nylon sleeve on end of switch wires. If switch operates in reverse then swap control leads.

 

[jadimylz]

Re: 1975 Johnson 135 tilt and trim issues

Thanks RRitt! You have been very helpful. I have it all wired up and working. It seems to be a little slow when it starts going up, and it doesn't go all the way down. Is that a low fluid issue?