Trim Gauge problem....

[WanabeBoater]

I am calling out to the all mighty one with the knowledge to fill me in on the gauge problem I am having. When I trim up, my gauge reads max up, when I trim down, my gauge reads max down. I know I trim in-between alot but the gauge reads either max up or down. Good thing I know how to 'feel' for proper trim, but for those who drive when I am not on the boat or on the boat but am unable to drive. Does it sound like my gauge is bad?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trim Gauge problem....

Don't know what engine you have, but it sounds like the trim sender to me. It's basically a variable resistor...Check here for testing..


http://ww2.tflx.com/pdf/trimsy~1.pdf

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trim Gauge problem....

At least you know the gauge is working..
It does sound like a bad sender...

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Trim Gauge problem....

The trim sender back on the engine is a variable resistance thing. You set your multi meter to measure resistance (ohms). Make sure the battery in the multimeter is good because current is needed for it to measure resistance. Then, you put the multimeter probes on the two sender wires and measure the ohms when the sender is in the full up vs. full down position.

Various outboard makes have differing specs for this - some are high resistance "up", low (or zero) "down"; some are opposite. The gauge needs to be matched to this spec, whatever it happens to be for your outboard's sender.

The specs are in the link posted by Rick. Good luck.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim Gauge problem....

Wanabee, Sometimes the senders are just a bad design. For example, the Trim sender on my Johnny Outboard works fine, but is it not too accurate. It shows full up and full down, and very little in between(sound familar). I set trim by ear, and ignore the gauge.

If your friends are driving the boat you can suggest the trim it a bit, when your ears detect the need. Unles you have a high performance boat (55+ MPH), it is not decisive that your guest drivers have optimum trim.

BTW - I am replacing the trim gauge with a water pressure gauge. it will be much more useful.

 

[WanabeBoater]

Re: Trim Gauge problem....

Thanks

 

[achris]

Re: Trim Gauge problem....

Don't know what engine you have but if the gauge reads only max high or low and nothing in-between, then you may be connected to the trim limit switch, not the trim sender.

Chris..........