Mercruiser tilt vs. trailer position

[halcrimm]

Hey everyone, first off here is my identity.

Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha I/O.
S/N OD714746 Engine
S/N OD671270 Transom
S/N OD665768 Drive

Now, here is my misunderstanding. On my throttle there are 4 switches. Trim Up, Trim Down, Tilt Up, and Tilt Down. I have have read many great posts on here trying to explain these positions and for the most part I get it, but not 100%. I believe that Trim is used more in the water so that the prop isn't exposed to being spun while not submerged. What is Tilt for and is it the same thing as having a Trailer button, which I do not have.

Lastly, I obviously have a trim and limit sender (port and starboard) sides, but do not have a trim gauge. What is the trim sender feeding if there is no gauge?

I'm learning, and thanks for your patience.
Hal

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser tilt vs. trailer position

Trim is used in the water while running.

Tilt and trailer are the same thing.

Lastly, I obviously have a trim and limit sender (port and starboard) sides, but do not have a trim gauge. What is the trim sender feeding if there is no gauge?

Nothing, it's not hooked to anything without the gauge.

 

[halcrimm]

Re: Mercruiser tilt vs. trailer position

Don, thanks for the quick reply. Do you happen to know the distance from pin to pin on the trim cyclinder when the trim is up at its highest. Or maybe know where I can find it.

Thanks again.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser tilt vs. trailer position

Have no idea what it is all the way up in trailer position, why?

 

[halcrimm]

Re: Mercruiser tilt vs. trailer position

Have no idea what it is all the way up in trailer position, why?

I didn't mean all the way up in trailer position. I was watching a video of replacing the senders and the video showed that when adjusting the limit sender it was correct when the distance from pin to pin was, I believe 21 3/4 inches, on a bravo three. I am adjusting for an Alpha 1 gen 2 so I was not sure of the measurement for that.

 

[halcrimm]

Re: Mercruiser tilt vs. trailer position

So, played with the trim and tilt today to really understand the difference of each function. What I found was Tilt up and Tilt down both work. I can travel fully in both directions. If I try to use the Trim Up and Trim Down only the down works. I did just replace the down solenoid. Is there a link to a manual that covers the trim/ tilt with schematics? I would love to have the Trim up working also.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mercruiser tilt vs. trailer position

Alpha I, gen II distance is 20 3/4 inches. If your tilt works and your trim up does not then chances are you have a open trim limit circuit. Either the switch or wires. Try this: Locate the two black wires from the trim limit switch. They come through the transom and plug into two connectors, one with a purple/white wire and one with two blue/white wires. Unplug the black wires and jumper between the connectors with a piece of wire. Try the trim up switch. If it works you have a bad trim limit circuit.

 

[greiffster]

Re: Mercruiser tilt vs. trailer position

Your trim up will not work out side the range of the trim limit. The tilt up (or trailer) will take it the rest of the way to a full up trailer position. While the boat is running, the drive should be between trim up and trim down. I doubt there is a difference in the trim down and tilt down buttons.