Trim Gauge

WSUDERMAN

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 9, 2001
Messages
176
The resolution to this problem has been eluding me for some time now so I thought I might see if someone here has some ideas…<br />The problem is the trim gauge indicates the opposite of the actual trim. If the gauge says down, the trim is up. If the trim gauge says up, the trim is down. (trim up = bow up, trim down = bow down) The switch works fine. Push down and the trim goes down, but the gauge goes up. I have checked all the wiring and it is correct. Tried swapping the wires on the back of the gauge, but then the gauge did nothing. <br />This is on a OMC 185 with the “Select Trim” option. <br />One question/idea I had was concerning the trim sending unit. Is possible for it to be installed upside down?<br />I am almost to the point of taking the gauge apart and using stickers to “change the gauge”.<br /><br />Thanks in advance.
 

jegervais

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 18, 2002
Messages
646
Re: Trim Gauge

My specialty is outboards, but I know just enough about stern drives to be dangerous... Stern drive and outboard trim gauges are not compatible, you may have an outboard gauge. Or, you may have a trim gauge for a Mercruiser, Mercruiser and OMC Sterndrive gauges are not compatible either... As far as I know, you cannot install a sender backwards.<br />-John
 

Franki

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 16, 2002
Messages
1,059

WSUDERMAN

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 9, 2001
Messages
176
Re: Trim Gauge

schematic - The sensor has 2 wires on it.<br /><br />John - Thanks for the info. I got the boat used, so i have no idea where the gauge came from. It looks "newer" than 78' so i would guess it's an aftermarket. Is there anyway (like resistance or something) to tell what its compatible with?
 

petryshyn

Commander
Joined
Oct 3, 2001
Messages
2,851
Re: Trim Gauge

78FOURWINNS<br /><br />Can you measure the up resistance and down resistance of the sensor, then we'll calculate a resistor and swap ground and sensor lead.(the resistor goes in series with the ground once switched)
 
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