Solenoids: what's the difference?

[davejohnson]

Motor is 1978 Merc 900 Inline 6. Mounted on 1957 Thompson woodie.<br /><br />Tilt/Trim suddenly stoppped yesterday afternoon in the middle of the lake. Click-click. Clicked on the UP button, and on the DOWN button as well. Solenoids shot, right? Anyway, back on the hill everybody in Bartow County probably heard me groaning to lift the motor up.<br /><br />An hour later, the Tilt/Trim worked fine. My Q is this: over the summer, I rebuilt the whole TT system from pump to hoses and motor, and replaced the no-good solenoids with FORD units from NAPA auto parts. Seemed a good idea at the time, and they worked (looked funny, though) Are the solenoids *THAT* different? Should I replace with marine units? I don't ride the TT, but I think they overheated or something. Please advise. Thank you.<br /><br />DJ

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Solenoids: what's the difference?

Should I replace with marine units?

simple answer...<br /><br /><br />...YES!!!!

 

[briannh1234]

Re: Solenoids: what's the difference?

Dave -<br /><br />Gas fumes are heavier than air. In a car if you have gas fumes they are not as big a problem because they will drift down the engine compartment and out into the street. They won't build up.<br /><br />In a boat that's in the water with the plug in the gas fumes start to collect. All you need then is 1 little spark and BOOM. Got insurance?<br /><br />Automotive relays are not spark protected. I'm not sure the exact difference but marine ones are spark protected.<br /><br />Past that make sure you get relays that can handle the amps that the trim motor needs.<br /><br />- Brian

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Solenoids: what's the difference?

Dave, The Ford solenoids you used are likely powerful enough to run the T/T system. I would expect that they are not corrosion proof like a marine unit. It is therefore likely that you have corrosion on or in the units. Also, these T/T units have some sort of internbal or external circuit breaker. Sometimes they fail.<br /><br />Also, I do not know if the Ford Solenoids are spark proof, but suspect they should be if your boat is not of the "open type", which does not require spark-proof electronic devices.