Tiller kill switch, tiny electric shocks?

[BoatFisho]

Is it possible to get a shock from the kill switch?

I only notice it when wearing the coil and the metal clip touches my skin, also seems more evident when touching screw on the tiller. And then Im not sure if Im imagining it. Checked all the wiring, no issues. Well serviced 2009 engine.

 

[steelespike]

Look for ground straps and connections not directly related to the kill switch.

 

[tomhath]

Maybe paint the clip with some liquid electrical tape (available at any hardware store). I doubt you're getting current from the ignition system or the motor would have a miss, but (just a guess) it might be some stray voltage induced in the clip from the wire.

 

[BoatFisho]

yeah its only strangely when the metal clip touches my skin and i touch the screw. is the safety lanyard have metal inside it or is it just plastic?

 

[Faztbullet]

Yes the kill switch can shock you as it has full ignition voltage on it.

 

[BoatFisho]

Lol, silly me, what can I do to avoid it, cover the metal clip in electrical tape?

 

[Faztbullet]

What model and hp as you may need a new lanyard....

 

[tomhath]

Yes the kill switch can shock you as it has full ignition voltage on it.

The only voltage at the switch should be from the low voltage side of the coil, and it will be isolated when the switch is open (otherwise there wouldn't be any spark). That's why I doubt any current is leaking across to the lanyard.

However when a plug fires, the plug wire will create a strong magnetic field which will induce a current in any metal nearby (i.e. BoatFisho has turned himself into a magneto).

 

[GA_Boater]

Is this a magneto ignition motor? On my magneto Merc, if I touch the stud on the side of the mag when it's running, I get more than a little shock. The wire on the stud goes to the ignition switch and would be just as hot as the stud. The wire/stud is switched to ground to turn the motor off.

 

[BoatFisho]

yammy 40 3cyl 2009 model with tiller remote. it only happens with the lanyard on.

 

[Faztbullet]

The kill switch on a pack/switchbox engine will have full ignition voltage on it(persons with weak bladders need not touch)!!! check grounding at swivel joint...

 

[BoatFisho]

so your saying could be loose wire under the red kill switch?

 

[UncleWillie]

If the kill switch has two wires attached to it (One Ground, One ignition) Try swapping the wires.
That would move the lanyard to the ground side of the switch.

The ignition coil throws spikes back up the power cables.
Place your fingers across your car battery with the engine running and you will feel the spark plugs firing.
It won't put you on your butt, but you will feel a tingle!

 

[BoatFisho]

Is there any way to confirm which way it should be wired other than testing manually ?

 

[Sea Rider]

Match wires with their respective colors....

Happy Boating

 

[UncleWillie]

Is there any way to confirm which way it should be wired other than testing manually ?

A quality volt meter set to "AC Volts" should indicate the non-DC component on the wires.
An Analog meter might be preferred over a Digital meter in this instance.
It may only indicate less than a volt as the meter will be averaging the spikes.
With the engine OFF, the meter should display Zero Volts AC across a battery.

If you can feel it, you can measure it with the appropriate equipment.

 

[steelespike]

Any part of the motor not secured to the power head with a ground strap could make you the easiest way to ground Even the tiller being free to move may have a ground strap.Stator,bellypan,mounting bracket could all be leaking voltage.to you if not grounded.
Had complaints for shocks from dishwasher in a dining hall.Not likely with all the pipes,drain lines and conduit attached.
Staff standing on a wet floor with a big floor fan nearby,stray voltage from the fan shocked them when they grounded themselves by touching
grounded the dishwasher.