Merc Trim Wierdness

[rpdwyer]

When I use the throttle mounted trim switch for my starboard engine, the port engine will often (not always) creep up as well. However, the port trim will not affect the starboard engine.

The control unit is a Commander 3000 Dual and the boat does have a trailer switch. The trailer switch works just fine and in fact last season, I used it to trim the engines since I could not count on the individual switches to work properly.

Both engines have new sender/limit switches and I taken the two trim switches out of the Commander 3000 handle and I see no signs of anything amiss.

In a wiring diagram, I see that both switches route through the trailer switch... is the problem likely something wrong with the trailer switch causing both drives to activate when one switch is pressed?

Drives are 1997 Alpha 1 Gen 2.

Thanks,

--Rick

 

[alldodge]

Re: Merc Trim Wierdness

When I use the throttle mounted trim switch for my starboard engine, the port engine will often (not always) creep up as well. However, the port trim will not affect the starboard engine.

The control unit is a Commander 3000 Dual and the boat does have a trailer switch. The trailer switch works just fine and in fact last season, I used it to trim the engines since I could not count on the individual switches to work properly.

Both engines have new sender/limit switches and I taken the two trim switches out of the Commander 3000 handle and I see no signs of anything amiss.

In a wiring diagram, I see that both switches route through the trailer switch... is the problem likely something wrong with the trailer switch causing both drives to activate when one switch is pressed?

Drives are 1997 Alpha 1 Gen 2.

Thanks,

--Rick

While the switches look good the one is probably going out. I would guess when your pushing the starboard there is a something that is causing the port to move ever so slightly and make contact. The trailer switch just bypasses both trim switches and drive limit switches which applies power to both trim pumps. This is what should happen so your OK. Probably replacing both switches will probably fix the issue. Below is a link to a power trim book containing diagrams which should help explain. It is a bit dated but the circuits have not changed. Only one missing a an up to date dual setup, only shows the older style push buttons.

http://cemrweb.cemr.wvu.edu/~mathews/boat/pdf/manual/Chapter Eighteen.PDF