Trim switch on 4.5L engine

[Cortes100]

I need some help/confirmation with the trim button on the std throttle controller. Calling several dealers in my area, they have no idea what I'm talking about.
I have a 2016 boat with the 4.5L, Alpha drive power package. First thing I notice is the 2 stage trim button does not work the same as previous years.. The button still feels like it has 2 positions, but only works as one. That used to be a great tool to monitor the trim height and how much rpm to use.

In my 2016 Merc manual for the 4.5L it states while using stage 2 (trailer mode) to keep rpm under 1200. Well that's pretty tough to do without this limit switch. So after a few hours of surfing the net, I came across this Mercruiser factory Rigging guide. It has a paragraph that reads.........

The Trim & Trailer functions on the mechanical remote control have been merged on the 4.5L. The ?Trailer? stage of the trim switch on
the MerCruiser mechanical control has no function. Above 3000 RPM, the 4.5L will trim when the trim switch is pressed until the drive
reaches the calibrated limit. Under 3000 RPM, the drive will continue to trim until it reaches the trailer limit or physical trim stop

So according to that statement, my trim is working perfectly fine. That means when loading the boat with the drive in the full up position, it's ok to run up to 2900 rpm's, even though u-joints don't like it.... Plus that is totally different than what the manual states. Would be nice if they updated their data.

Can any of you 4.5L users confirm how your boat works?

And if that is the end result, what is a safe trim height before I need to watch my rpm's?? I'll make a mental note on my trim gauge.

 

[Bt Doctur]

I would reconfigure the wiring at the trim pump to allow trim mode and trailer mode. Another one on Mercruisers Engineering ways to save a few pennies
by hiring stupid Engineers who have no field experiance

 

[Bondo]

Can any of you 4.5L users confirm how your boat works?

Ayuh,.... Yer the 1st I've met,......

You'd think they'd map the 'puter to limit rpms to 1000 or less for trailer mode,....

I by-passed the limit switch on my ole tinbarge back when I got it,....
Use the seat of the pants trim gauge too,....

My trim button looks like a signal switch stem on a car,....
Push it up/ forward, right turn, the drive goes up,... end to end,...
Pull it back/ down, left turn, the drive goes down,.... end to end,....

 

[alldodge]

Merc appears to try so hard to make a widget to help the folks which are brain dead. These are the folks that if the oil pressure light went off they would be asking, what does this mean?

Don't know what others of the new Merc design will advise but look forward to hearing from them if their are any here. That said I did read thru both yours and the Merc adaptive trim control (more complex). Both indicate that the trailer limit to 1500 rpm until the boat has reached above 3000 then the 3000 is the limit for trim up. Well at least that is how I read the manuals.

If you have a gauge, I would suggest watching where it is. This will give you the indication of where your at. If you don't have a gauge, just note how far the drive comes up with each second the trim up is pushed

 

[Cortes100]

Well after several attempts calling dealers and getting nowhere, I called the Mercury tech line and the person was more than happy to help with my questions. This trim design is a digital version that is operated with the manual stick and the computer is the brain of it all. Basically when under power above 3000, the trim switch will operate to specified limits which the computer reads. Above 3000 rpm, the drive will not trim up past that set point (what ever that may be). When it comes to the trailer mode, I'll have to look at the trim height and make a mental note on the gauge, and limit rpm's above that point. Still a little confusing, but long story short, it's working the way it's supposed to.
Since all 4.5L engines are designed this way, it would be nice if Mercury updated some of that info in the manual. And getting real picky, it would be nice to have a single switch instead of the 2 stage that has been used for years (but I guess that would cost more money).

 

[alldodge]

Could be a tad worst (depending on your point of view) could have adaptive trim. The adaptive automatically changes trim based on speed and rpm unless turned to manual mode

 

[achris]

Could be a tad worst (depending on your point of view) could have adaptive trim. The adaptive automatically changes trim based on speed and rpm unless turned to manual mode

Years ago there was just such a box. It was called 'auto-trim'. Have a look at service manual #6 and you'll see it, section 5F...

And, just did a search... (you're going to love this :facepalm