Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

[Bob_VT]

Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch? What is it's use? How should it be adjusted?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

If I remember right, the mercury switch prevents the motor from being started when tilted beyond a certain angle. I had one on my old 67' 650. Never had to adjust it, so no help there.

 

[andy6374]

Re: Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

The merc switch is the kill switch.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

I've got one on my old 83 150 and like already said, it keeps the motor from being started when tilted up. It puts a ground on the switch boxes just like the kill switch.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

It is not to prevent starting. It is there to kill the ignition if the engine tilted high enough for the prop to leave the water after striking an under water obsticial. This was so the engine would not over rev too severly and less the shock load of the engine slamming back to the transom. If you were to tlit the engine up to the point of where the engine dies, and looked it from the side, you would notice the nose of the bullet is just slightly higher than the bottom of the boat.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

Well, it serves 2 purposes. Cause it sure will not start if it's tilted. But that does make sense about the motor shutting down if it kicks up...It's been awhile since I've owned an old Merc.... Good info Jimmbo!8)

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

i usually , well always disconnect mine. they usually short out and cause your motor to not start!

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

I had one fail last summer on the water. I suspected something got grounded because the whole ignition system just turned off. I lucked out and saw the black/yellow ground wiring going to it and decided to disconnect it and try the engine again. Sure enough, the engine immediately turned over. I am sure they serve a valid purpose, but once the engine starts to age, remove it or replace it.

 

[talitje]

Re: Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

So i can safely conect my Lanyard Kill Switch to the Mercury Switch ?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

You could connect a safety lanyard-type switch to the same connection as the mercury switch, but since the conection is in the motor, and you are at the steering wheel, that is a lot of unnecessary wiring. You can connect the safety lanyard to the ignition wire at the ignition switch, much easier. if you have a battery driven ignition system (with a distributor), the kill switch needs to remove +12V from the white wire that goes to the motor. If you have ADI Ignition, the kill switch should ground the orange wire that goes to the motor.

 

[talitje]

Re: Clams, Laddies What is the mercury switch?

Many thanks , The distance between driver and engine is about 3 feet , i'm going to nicely run electric cable's from Lanyard switch to Mercury switch thanks again and greetings (p.s with disributor)