1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

[oohsparkly]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

I like the relay idea best...what is the model and serial number of the outboard? I'd like to check something out.

yeah im just gonna do that... i can get 2 50 amp relays for $10 at radio shack, beats the hell out of the non working solenoid

i cant give you a serial on the engine cuz im at work, but its a '79 E150

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

No problem, just get the serial number when you get a chance....I want to look at the original set up. You can PM it if you want.

 

[oohsparkly]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

okay so here's what i did... was able to reuse the enclosure, fuse holder, a couple of the jumpers, and the strain relief to make a nice tidy little package. 2 relays, 1 up, 1 down

works like a charm from anywhere on the boat!

cadwelder, my serial is J0003422.

 

[oohsparkly]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

and a little glimpse at what some polishing compound and an aggressive pad will do. its a harbor freight special but its doing the job.

thats just the compound, no polish or wax. cant wait to see it in daylight.

 

[oohsparkly]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

okay so i had 3 or 4 days all to myself to keep moving forward. my fiancee works a rotating schedule so days that she works and im off are extremely productive.

heres the new and improved electrical area. 3 new battery trays and a hensel enclosure with some water tight glands. inside i split off the 3 power circuits... one always hot for trim, one switched for the field devices, and one hot for the fish finders. that circuit is insulated from the others with an insulation ring.

rear trim switch, relocated TO its original position. i dont know why but the original owner moved it and tied it to the steering cables (?) only thing i can think of is he wanted to keep it out of the swamp when you lay off the gas. i want to get the zippered entry cable protector to tidy up everything in back. i cant use TH tubing because the motor doesnt have a provision for it, too old i guess.

front trim switch... i should be able to get rid of the "on/off" text and maybe get stickers to overlay "up" and "down". allen bradley, the symbol of quality! ha

now-functional foot trim... should have used this and ditched the remote trim, oh well

 

[oohsparkly]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

this is the console with one of the new switch plates mounted up and wired. the plastic fab shop didnt want to go through the trouble of setting up to make 2 plates, so they just gave me the material and i cut it out on a bandsaw using the originals as templates. this new material is 3/8" where the other was 3/16", other than that it looks pretty much OEM. new gauges look sweet too.

i need to get some nameplates made. i think for now ill just use a label maker, but eventually ill want engraved plates to create a finished look. each switch also gets a status light, i just havent found usable ones yet... partly because the plate is so thick. the threaded type are too short. there are some snap in ones advertised at radio shack that i will probably end up getting.

these switches are for lighting... left up is anchor, left down is nav, right up is courtesy (gauges and foot lights)

these little fellows get reused. since im only running one fuel tank however, the fuel selector will become "livewell pump enable". "enable" will jump 12v to whichever pump you select with the switch below. aerator switches stay the same.

this week i plan to find the tach signal wire from the motor. i also have to replace the telltale and i guess T into it so the water pressure gauge will work.

 

[oohsparkly]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

also, i sent all the metal parts off to be anodized only to find out my guy has a 4-6 week turnaround. that really sucks. its good for him because he just got a big contract with rj reynolds, bad for me because my jobs basically turn into sidework.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

Should be a gray wire in your control box for the tach.

 

[oohsparkly]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

thanks ezmobee. ive read thats the one. i hope its actually connected in the engine, since the tach never worked in the old setup.

 

[basspro1886]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

Oohsparkly. Do you have any wiring prints that you can email me. I am almost completed with my Stratos restoration. I have a few minor wiring that has issues. The Volt meter, trim. and the live wells. The more you can help me out the faster I can get out on the water again before first snow fall hits up here in Idaho. Thanks.

 

[oohsparkly]

Re: 1988 Stratos 181 Pro makeover and rewire

sorry man, i dont have anything from stratos if thats what youre looking for. i just redid it all myself. is there something general i can help you with?