Trim Switch

[rightcoastrob]

Not sure if ive posted this in the right area or not.But i have a 3 button trim switch in my boat now it only lowers.My question is can i use a switch from a set of trim tabs or is there to much draw on them.reason i want to use trim tab switchs is becuse i have 2 motors and id like to keep both switchs the same does anyone have any recomendations on what i can use any help on this issue would be apprciated thank you much.........

 

[j_martin]

Re: Trim Switch

Not sure if ive posted this in the right area or not.But i have a 3 button trim switch in my boat now it only lowers.My question is can i use a switch from a set of trim tabs or is there to much draw on them.reason i want to use trim tab switchs is becuse i have 2 motors and id like to keep both switchs the same does anyone have any recomendations on what i can use any help on this issue would be apprciated thank you much.........

You have given us no clue as to what motor and trim system you're talking about.

Most of them use solenoids, which only draw a couple of amps at the switch. You can use any momentary contact, normally rated (ie not computer stuff) switch you happen to have in hand.

By bass boat has a rocker in the front, the throttle handle rocker, a bat handle switch in the motor well, and the push buttons on the cowl.

hope it helps
John

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim Switch

Rob, if you have the old Mercury three pushbutton control for the PTT, the buttons are replaceable.

Some of the older mercs had a single solenoid on the pump for up. these took a lighter switch than the down side which needed to be pretty robust to handle the 25A or so.

 

[rightcoastrob]

Re: Trim Switch

yes its the old 3 button style for merc on a 12 volt system.could it possabily be the selonoid cuz it does function in the down mode.i,m more then sure it the trim switch it self becuse when i first got the boat the button to trim out while u was moving would lift the motor all the way instead of just part of the way.i,ve searched for the 3 button panel and was unable to locate it.its a bit of a pain to lift that 300 lb motor when i only weight in at about 165 lol bout wants to pull me off the back of the boat.I seen these switchs that mount right to the steering wheel theres a thumb toggel i was considering.my controles are two side mounts so it would be kid of hard to mount thumb toggles on the throttles.i searched ebay i figured there would be a thousand 3 button switchs but nadda.so if anyone has a link for me that i can look at something id greatly apprciate it feel free to pm me with it if your not allowed to post it i had a few diff ones in mind but i wasnt sure if i was allowed to drop a public link or not and didnt want to break any of the rules.but at any rate guys i do apprciate you input thank you rob

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim Switch

OK - First of all, does the motor tilt when you push middle and upper button together? If so, the trim limit switch on the OB is bad. If not, put a jumper wire between the battery side of the trim solenoid and the small blue wire on the solenoid primary winding. If the solenoid clicks and the motor runs, the wiring or push button is bad. You will need to trace out the culprit.

The trim limit switch may be bypassed by unplugging it from the PTT harness, and putting a jumper wire between the two connection.

Second - The trim buttons are sold individually at a Merc Dealer. You can replace any that go bad.

 

[rightcoastrob]

Re: Trim Switch

Well thank you for the info chris very insightful.my solenoid will run the trim in the down posistion just the middle button and the top dont respond.the boat is old its a 79 steury and i did have issues as far as the center trim button would trim my motor alll the way up.im a newbie to boating but i assume that center button is for trimming the bow.in all honestly id lovve to buy a package deal that has guages switchs and sending units for it.and im not sure about this trim limet switch your speaking of i assume its to make the hydrolics bypass instead of just pumping but at any rate i want to update my trim switchs to something newer mine are mounted in the gunwal behind my controls so its not so easy to get to.and from what ive been told trim tab switchs wont handle that type of amp draw. any anyways chris and the other guys thank you for the info.ill get right on it after fishing tomarrow lol have a nice weekend.....

 

[rightcoastrob]

Re: Trim Switch

Sorry for the double post what exactly is the (PTT harness)

 

[j_martin]

Re: Trim Switch

You and Chris are talking about the <P>ower <T>rim and <T>ilt system.

hope it helps
John

 

[rightcoastrob]

Re: Trim Switch

The old saying goes if it was a snake it would of bite me lol thank you