VRO unit

[sprouticus]

Well, it's almost boating season again up hear in Canada. reached 10 degree's celcius today, so some boys from work and I are taking the boat out for a little spin tommorow. I'm all excited.<br /><br />Anyway, back to the topic at hand.......last year I bought a 1990 90 hp evinrude to replace the old 70hp that had a power head failure. The 90hp came with a VRO unit, which I never hooked up (I just continued mixing my gas 50:1 like i did with the 70hp. So I guess I have 2 questions.<br /><br />1: Should I have done anything to modify the boat in anyway so that I can run the premixed gas?<br /><br />2: I would like to hook up the VRO, but (and I know this sounds silly) I can't figure out where to plug the damn thing in. I know where the hose goes....I dunno where to plug in the electrical wires. I can't find anything for it on the engine, and there is a tag on the VRO wires that says not to connect directly to the battery. Would it connect to my controls somewhere??? I hope not because I want to continue useing my old controls, and I'm sure there is no place to connect them there. I've been putting off asking this question cause I was embarrassed, but I think i really want this thing hooked up this year.<br /><br />thanx again guys..........this forum rocks, and now that the snow is gone.......i'm sure you'll be seeing me on here occasionally once again.

 

[ob]

Re: VRO unit

The wire harness of the VRO should lead to an amphenol connector that is within the engine compartment.Reconnecting it will enable the VRO alarm circuit,assuming that it is still in working order.It is advised to run fuel mix at 50:1 until you can confirm oil usage from the oil reservoir and no alarms sounding.So,this means that the engine will essentially be double oiling during this critical checkout process.You'll also need to insure that the two wire lead from the oil reservoir is also reconnected ,which is also located under the engine cover.Look for two disconnected wire leads with plug in connectors near where the amphenol connector is located.This is the vro oil reservoir "low oil alarm"circuit.<br /><br />Before placing the vro pump back in service ,the oil inlet to the vro pump will need to be reprimed.This is accomplished by disconnecting the oil inlet hose nearest the pump and pumping the oil line primer bulb until a steady air free stream of oil exits the disconnected end.Then reattach the inlet hose securely.It's imporatnt that none of the vro hoses have any leaks.<br /><br />Once placed into service,it is also advisable to mark a line at the oil level of the reservoir to make it easier monitor oil usage during the reconnection test run.

 

[sprouticus]

Re: VRO unit

thankyou for your help. I will take a closer look tommorrow to see if I can find this "amphenol connector" I have looked for something that looks like it will match up with the plug on the VRO, but coudn't find anything. I'll look again.<br /><br />And thanx for the heads up about the "double oiling" trick. I actually knew about that one........the previous owner of the engine told me to do the same thing, but it's nice to know you experts look out for us ..........less experienced boaters. <br /><br />One thing confuses me a little.<br /><br />the VRO unit i'm guessing can hold about 1.5-2 gallons (6-8 litres in canadian). since my tanks hold 20-25 litres of fuel (4-5 gallons), one tank will go through 500 ml of oil at 50:1. thats basically 1/16th of my VRO oil tank holding capacity. 1/16th of a tank is probably the minimum amount of oil that I can use and actually notice a difference in the oil level. anything less and even if I make a mark, I could not be 100% sure that the level is going down. this mean I will have to burn at least a full tank of gas with the "double oil". Is this a correct assumption?? I also assume I should carry spare plugs with me that day.

 

[ob]

Re: VRO unit

Yes on both of your last questions.You'll have to use enough oil to get a level confirmation.And yes ,it is always a good idea to keep some new spare pregapped sparkplugs aboard.

 

[o/b tech]

Re: VRO unit

Hi sprouticus, <br /><br />I'm on the other side of the rockies and we are supposed to get 10-20 cm's of snow overnite so have fun boating.<br /><br />The wiring harness for the vro should either be a three wire (tan/black/grey) or four wire with an extra purple wire. This should help you locate it easier in the motor harness.<br /><br />It's also a good habit to give the oil primer bulb a squeeze whenever you give the fuel primer bulb a squeeze as air can also get trapped in the oil line as well. This can trigger the no oil alarm to sound until the air is purged.<br /><br />Good boating and good fishing.

 

[sprouticus]

Re: VRO unit

thanx for the well wishes.<br /><br />I actually just got back.like 2 mins ago.<br /><br />maybe it wasn't as warm as it could be out there, but we had fun.<br /><br />Edmonton heh??? I used to work the oil rigs................i was in edmonton twice a month for the last few years. Nice town. Not too warm in march though(I live in the Okanogan).<br /><br />We have a big game against you guys tonight.........we both need those 2 points real bad. I'd wish you good luck but.................lol.<br /><br />anyway thanx for the heads up guys. <br /><br />Other than canucks.com, and the weather site.....this is like the only site I go to.