Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

[csalkows]

Building a boat. Just received the engine (MFS20CEFL), control box, and SRC kit to convert the tiller to remote. I've got steering, throttle, and shift figured out. I don't get the electrical though. So I have the control box cord run to the stern, and I have the dongle connected at the end of the cord. But how do I figure out what to connect the dongle wires to? I can't find any documentation that even describes the function of each wire, much less where to connect it under the cowling. What am I missing? Is there a secret Tohatsu remote installation course, or something?

 

[pvanv]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

The wiring follows the color codes for that motor, info is in both the Factory service manual and the Factory RC installation manual. The "Dongle" goes inside the cowl. Two wires are for tilt/trim. the main connector snaps to the cable from the RC box.

 

[csalkows]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Thank you sir, for the reply. I beg to differ on the instructions. The remote installation manual has only two instructions and no photos for connections under the cowling. It simply says 1) connect cord under motor cover and 2) connect Pink and Sb wires to matching Pink and Sb wires from engine. Ok, so there are NO Pink and Sb wires coming from engine! I think the manual expects the "dongle" (cable harness?) to already be there.

The engine manual simply says to connect the engine cord to the remote cord.

Under the motor cover, the back of the wire connector cover has a schematic. But there's no way to match this up with the cable harness wires. For example there are two reds on the engine but only one red on the cable harness. The cable harness wires aren't labeled.

Thank you very much again for your help.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Pink and Sb are for PTT (tilt) if so equipped. Yes, your "dongle" is the motor-side harness, and connects via the matching color code in the motor. Yes, the RC manual expects that you are rigging a EP type (remote) motor... in your case, you are converting an EF into an EP by using the short cable harness and other bits, and then connecting the RC. The info is indeed in the Factory service manual, section 8 (electrical system) and section 10 (wiring diagrams). Trying to describe it to you on the board here would be cumbersome and error-prone at best. Better to get the Factory service manual and remove all doubt. If working with PTT, also get the supplement to the service manual that covers the PTT system.

 

[csalkows]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Roger. Sounds like the only way to accomplish this properly is with the service manual. I suppose if I'm going to work much at this level of detail I'll need to spend the 50 bucks sooner or later. Thank you again sir.

If I might query your wisdom one more time. Can you provide experience on the merits of rack vs. rotary steering? (Teleflex) This will be on a 14ft plywood runabout with the above mentioned motor.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

The Factory manual is a good one, paying for itself the first time you use it (such as figuring out the wiring diagram). If the rig is for yourself, it's a decent investment; If it's for a customer, it's a "value added" part of the installation.

Check the Teleflex website (teleflexmarine.com) for details, but AFAIK, it's a matter of steering feedback, budget, and personal preference. Honestly, even an old "tiller cable" setup would probably work for your setup. The 15/20 doesn't have a ton of torque steer, so no need for hydraulic power assist.

 

[csalkows]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Finally got the service manual. I'm looking at the wiring diagram fold out on page 10-4 for the EP version. The illustration shows only one brown (Br) wire coming from the cord assembly. My cord assembly has one single brown wire with a male connector, and two brown wires terminating in a single female connector. Do you know what the extra browns are used for?

 

[pvanv]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Brown is ignition kill (stop). The F type motor has an onboard kill switch; not needed with the RC box, which has its own kill switch, but there is provision for both switches, should you want it.

 

[csalkows]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Thanks. So that means if you skip the onboard kill sw, you use the single brown on the cord unit; otherwise, you use the double brown on the cord unit and the supply brown Y to connect to the onboard kill and the CD unit?

I assume the onboard start switch remains disconnected after RC conversion?

 

[pvanv]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

The start switch can stay physically installed in the lower cowl to keep the hole closed off. Or you could install the grommet that is used with the non-electric/tiller (rope start or remote) models. If you leave it installed, it's not usually wired-in after converting to RC, but I suppose it could be if you wanted to for some reason.

 

[csalkows]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Does the choke button remain after remote conversion?

The service manual seems to suggest that the cord assembly should pass through that opening (next to the throttle and shift cables) but the RC kit included a link that appears to line up with where the choke button/lever should be. If the choke stays where does the cord unit enter the cowling? If the choke goes, how do you choke the engine after conversion?

 

[pvanv]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

If you want electric push-to-choke, you will need the choke solenoid, bracket, plunger, and related bits. That link wire is one of those bits. If you don't install the electric choke solenoid, you will keep the mechanical choke. Personal preference. The EF base motor you are starting with would be equipped with mechanical choke. an EP model (remote steer and control box comes equipped with electric choke by default.

 

[csalkows]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

I didn't see an electric choke solenoid in the kit that I got, so I guess I'll stick with the mechanical choke. But where would you recommend I route the cord unit leading from the remote?

 

[pvanv]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Through the hole that originally housed the main start switch, unless there is provision for it where the control cables attach.

 

[csalkows]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Perfect. So now that my remote unit is installed, is there some way to power a couple low current accessories? For example, LED nav lights and maybe an FM radio? Could I split the lead for the volt meter and use that?

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Nothing can be powered from the engine. You have to power from the battery.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Tiller Conversion/Electrical - Tohatsu 20hp

Right. Since you started with a EF (Electric Tiller), you already can have a battery for starting. The motor is already equipped with charging to the battery. So do yourself a favor and install a proper panel (fed from the battery) to power the lights, etc.