To trim or not to trim?

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

I would say that's a pretty good analogy. I'll add up a steep hill, in top gear, foot mashed to the floor all the time. It's called lugging the engine and it isn't good for it.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

Could you pros address a trim issue for me (along these lines).

I lost my trim gauge two years ago and have managed pretty well without it.

However, twice I have trimmed up too far at speed and the boat has died and been very difficult to re-start.

A friend who is very well versed with boats says there is a level/switch in the motor to keep you from trimming too far (to "tilt", I suppose) to protect the engine. When you tilt/trim too far, it cuts out the engine to keep you from damaging your boat or motor.

Mine is a '92 Evinrude 150, but he has had several makes and models (all high HP I would suppose).

Is he on the right track?

If this is true, I could really use a gauge, as this now makes me nervous whenever I trim up.

Comments?

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

Worked on my tilt/trim gauge tonight and something odd happened.

Let me set the stage by saying that I was a mid-quality shade-tree mechanic in my youth, so I understand how really simple stuff works.

I could have sworn the tilt/trim gauge worked when I bought the boat, but maybe I'm wrong.

I do know that I found it did not work soon after purchase and wish it did (see posts above).

Tonight I tested power and ground and found there was no 12VDC to the I post, which I imagine is power (the other posts were G and S). I confirmed that the power was dead by testing on a guaranteed ground.

So, I ran a direct power line to it. The gauge still did not work, BUT...the low fuel light came on and the warning horn sounded.

As I said, I am a mechanical simpleton, so the obvious answer to me is that I'm wrong that it ever worked and either it's shorted/crossed somewhere or was wired up wrong by some P.O.

However, if I've done something wrong, or there's another answer, or you simply want to laugh at my expense, have at it.

I will continue to try to trace it...but tomorrow, boating instead

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

Yeah, I'm going to have to take it back about understanding how stuff works. In this case I am working off a description I found here on Iboats, and actually I'm not completely sure how it works at all. :redface:

Think I'll regroup and pull the sender today so I understand it better.

Boating at 2, though!

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

What am I, dense? Did some more searching here on iboats and think I've got it now.

12V to gauge. Gauge sends power to sender. Sender grounded. Gauge grounded. I realize I'm just talking to myself here, but if this is wrong, somebody give me a heads up.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

Rrr - but in this scenario, the the gauge wouldn't need to be grounded, would it (except for gauge lights, which I am discounting)?

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

The trim sender is a potentiometer and the gauge displays the resistance. You could short the wires going to the gauge at the sender and watch for needle deflection a moving needle indicates a functioning gauge and a defective sender.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

Can't see full-down trim wrecking your motor, myself.

What I have noticed in more than one boat is that when your trim is down against the stops there is more engine and outdrive vibration transmitted throughout the hull. Not huge amounts but enough to irritate me. I use that sound/feel to tell me when I'm full down, then usually bump it up slightly just to get rid of it, even if I'm running slow.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

The trim sender is a potentiometer and the gauge displays the resistance. You could short the wires going to the gauge at the sender and watch for needle deflection a moving needle indicates a functioning gauge and a defective sender.

I am now to the point that I have power at the I and S post on the gauge. The test light at the S post is dimmer than that at the I post, which may or may not be normal. I was waiting on someone to help at the sender end while I held on the test light, but I like this suggestion. I'll give it a try, thanks.

 

[grego]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

AS said. the trim guage is almost useless in my appl. most boats will only allow, you to trim to 50%. You will learn, in a very short time, how to trim for the most most comfortable ride. I use the full down pos. to gain speed, then trim to a comfortable ride. higher settings can cause "chine walking"!1

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: To trim or not to trim?

Higher trim settings will cause porpoising; chine walking is a side to side movement and usually happens from too much speed and just before the boat flies out of the water.