Trim Sender switch wires

[msramsay]

I am replacing the trim sender switch (Starboard side) on my 1983 mercruiser. The old switch wiring switch came apart and the the old switch discarded. I am replacing the switch with Sierra switches and I need to know which wire is the ground---the top or bottom wire coming out the right side of the switch. The bottom wire is ribbed. Thank you.

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Trim Sender switch wires

PLease tell me you are going into the enine compartment thru the gimble housing with your wires. If you are planning on just splicing it wont last long. Take the time to run them in and hook them up the way they need to be. It is not as easy as splicing but will last longer if you do it right

 

[msramsay]

Re: Trim Sender switch wires

Yes, I am going through the gimbal housing. The problem is that I can not tell which wire on the Sierra unit is the ground. The connections will not reveal which one goes to the ground or connects to the brown wire that leads into the harness.

 

[SeaRay182noob]

Re: Trim Sender switch wires

I have a 2002 searay 3.0 alpha1 gen2 set up. On mine there are two wires, one is black and other is brn/wht in the harness. Coming out of the sensor I think they are both black and doesnt matter witch way they are connected because is a simple variable resistor. Either way you connect it it should have the same resistance and give you the same reading on you gauge. Hope this helps.

 

[msramsay]

Re: Trim Sender switch wires

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I think you are right. I just received an email response from a mechanic that said the same thing.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trim Sender switch wires

Coming out of the sensor I think they are both black and doesnt matter witch way they are connected because is a simple variable resistor. Either way you connect it it should have the same resistance and give you the same reading on you gauge. Hope this helps.

That is true for an ammeter, but I believe the trim gauge is a voltmeter, reverse the wires the gauge will work backwards. Better make sure before you make the permanent connection. BTW doesn't the Sierra gauge have a polarized connector on the end, like the mercruiser?

 

[msramsay]

Re: Trim Sender switch wires

The sender has bullet connectors that are female and male to differentiate. However, inside my boat there are no bullet connectors. One wire goes to a bracket---obvious ground wire, and the other wire is brown and disappears into the wiring harness. My problem is that I can not tell which wire coming out of the sender is the ground and I can not identify it by the bullet connectors.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Trim Sender switch wires

That is true for an ammeter, but I believe the trim gauge is a voltmeter, reverse the wires the gauge will work backwards. Better make sure before you make the permanent connection. BTW doesn't the Sierra gauge have a polarized connector on the end, like the mercruiser?

They're all "ammeters" actually. (A "volt"-meter is also an ammeter )

The meters direction of movement IS dependent on where you connect the "12v A+" wire......ON THE METER.

The sender is no different from an oil press, temp, fuel level, etc sender. It just provides a variable resistance to ground.

The meter is connected to this wire (and 12v+) and then displays (current) though the resistor.

Cheers,


Rick

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trim Sender switch wires

The sender has bullet connectors that are female and male to differentiate.

If I were to make a guess, for safety, the male end of the wire should plug into the "hot" female connector, and the female would be the ground end.