Bravo Trim - overload protection

[dcg9381]

1998 Bravo out drive on a big block Chevy.
I spent most of this weekend stuffed into the engine compartment in various uncomfortable positions..
I was back there straigtening out the "factory" wiring - you know, the 4 x 14ga wires that all go to the same battery termial, trim wire, battery feed, etc.

I installed marine fuse box, easily accessible and designed for use around water.

My question is this: The wire that runs the hydraulic trim is ~10 ga. It goes from the battery straight back to the trim pump, right over the back of the motor. It was not overload protected, and it was not encased in additional insulation. Basically, it's begging to cause a fire one of these years after the heat and vibration wear the insulation off of it.

I put it on a 30A circuit, but blew that fuse loading the boat... What kind of amp rating protection should be on the trim circuit?

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Bravo Trim - overload protection

It has a 110 amp fuse mounted on the down solenoid.

 

[Don S]

Re: Bravo Trim - overload protection

It's one of those square fuses.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo Trim - overload protection

Sounds like you have the same package I installed in the Liberator.

I mounted my trim pump assy on the opposite side of the battery. I used wire tie-downs to hold the wires to the transom. There's no vibration. AND in reality......there's not a LOT of heat (or should not be) in an enclosed marine engine compartment <by comparison to an automotive compartment that is...>

You want the trim pump connected directly to the battery since it draws around 60A or so during operation. Make the wires just long enough to do the job without being in a bind or rubbing on anything that vibrates. You also want it directly at the battery so you can operate it independent of the main engine circuit.

Do you have a manual? You need #11 Someone can post the link.....

I'm at work (actually I'm in a hotel in PDX!) on my little ASUS Eee PC and I don't have a lot links on it yet ........Boatfix has #11 for online perusal I believe.....but it would be worth it for you to just buy it......I think you can get it right here on iBoats.



Cheers,

Rick

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Bravo Trim - overload protection

Sounds like you have the same package I installed in the Liberator.

I mounted my trim pump assy on the opposite side of the battery. I used wire tie-downs to hold the wires to the transom. There's no vibration. AND in reality......there's not a LOT of heat (or should not be) in an enclosed marine engine compartment <by comparison to an automotive compartment that is...>

You want the trim pump connected directly to the battery since it draws around 60A or so during operation. Make the wires just long enough to do the job without being in a bind or rubbing on anything that vibrates. You also want it directly at the battery so you can operate it independent of the main engine circuit.

Do you have a manual? You need #11 Someone can post the link.....

I'm at work (actually I'm in a hotel in PDX!) on my little ASUS Eee PC and I don't have a lot links on it yet ........Boatfix has #11 for online perusal I believe.....but it would be worth it for you to just buy it......I think you can get it right here on iBoats.



Cheers,

Rick

Thanks guys.
Rick - yes, I have the same setup. The battery is on the opposite side of the motor as my trim pump. A 110A circuit breaker on the pump helps, but I'm still going to have a big-ole fire if that trim pump wire ever decided to get worn down.

I'll rerun it, double insulated, get it off the motor. My fuse box has a spot for direct power hook up - doesn't sound like it can be fused outside of a massive stereo-amp type deal.

 

[Don S]

Re: Bravo Trim - overload protection

Take the power lead for the trim pump off the battery, and hook it to either the main terminal on the starter, or the common terminal on the battery switch. That way, when you shut the switch off, you are also killing the power to the trim pump.
The fuse has to be within 6 feet of the battery (length of red cable) to be legal.