Adding trim/tilt position sensor to OMC series 400?

[F14CRAZY]

While I rarely have a need for it I was wondering if the trim/tilt sensor "sysem" from like a Mercruiser setup or something could be added to my Series 400 sterndrive. It's nice to know where it's at when having to traverse a shallow spot.

Another big reason is that with the set of gauges I bought on ebay came with a trim gauge...

Is it possible to retrofit it?

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Adding trim/tilt position sensor to OMC series 400?

Not using Merc. parts.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Adding trim/tilt position sensor to OMC series 400?

The only way you can trim a stringer is like the factory did it by moving front of engine up & down. And, no Merc parts wont fit. 'nutcase

 

[cr2k]

Re: Adding trim/tilt position sensor to OMC series 400?

Stringer drives are ment to be run in the ALL THE WAY DOWN position. While there are cases you may need to TILT up to clear something you would be going slow and be able to see where the drive is. Running with drive TILTED other than all the way down damages the ball gears and they ain't cheap to replace.

As far as TRIM goes it goes up and down and there is no "limit" like a MC drive only a range of operation, which does NOT raise or lower the prop more that a few inches.

When I trim I watch the amp gauge. When it pegs I am at the end of the range.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Adding trim/tilt position sensor to OMC series 400?

I spose I'll have to can the idea if there aren't parts that I could make fit.

I do only raise the sterndrive to clear obstacles. I've replaced my ball gears already, they aren't that cheap I know

 

[superbenk]

Re: Adding trim/tilt position sensor to OMC series 400?

I had a similar idea for my Stringer 400. I was thinking of learning the electronics involved in creating a sensor that would sense a small magnetic strip or something glued to the moon gear (or whatever it's called that does the tilt) and have the sensor mounted to the intermediate housing somehow. When the sensor senses the magnet it'd light up a green light on the dash showing that I'm within operating range. Then the light would go off when the sterndrive was tilted up too high.

Unfortunately I'm not electrical engineer so I don't know how to make it yet, but I'm thinking it wouldn't be too hard. Time to get out the kid's Snap Circuits kit

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Adding trim/tilt position sensor to OMC series 400?

nothing to add. you already have the sensor on a 1985 400 series with trim.

It was not optional so if your 400 has trim, it has the sender already, just hook it up to a gauge.

800 stringers with hydraulic trim also had an optional trim position sensor.
it mounts on the trim cylinder starboard side and the lever rests on the engine mount.. as the engine trims, it changes the potentiometer position.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Adding trim/tilt position sensor to OMC series 400?

I had a similar idea for my Stringer 400. I was thinking of learning the electronics involved in creating a sensor that would sense a small magnetic strip or something glued to the moon gear (or whatever it's called that does the tilt) and have the sensor mounted to the intermediate housing somehow. When the sensor senses the magnet it'd light up a green light on the dash showing that I'm within operating range. Then the light would go off when the sterndrive was tilted up too high.

Unfortunately I'm not electrical engineer so I don't know how to make it yet, but I'm thinking it wouldn't be too hard. Time to get out the kid's Snap Circuits kit

I think it would be easier to buy the OMC "tilt warning kit". It's a bolt-on warning system for the tilt.