what are these used for ?

namesjax

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Joined
Jul 10, 2010
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8
I was wondering what these are used for that I have circled in the photo. It appears like the top one will take a key but my ignition key will not fit in it and I have no idea what the bottom one is for as I can turn it and can not really determine that it is doing anything.. Thankx in advance
 

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bsktball55

Seaman
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Jan 11, 2009
Messages
58
Re: what are these used for ?

The top one looks like your ignition. The bottom one, I'm not sure maybe a choke?
 

namesjax

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Jul 10, 2010
Messages
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Re: what are these used for ?

I figured the top one for a ignition as opposed to having one in the dash like I have but my key won't fit it
 

woosterken

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May 18, 2005
Messages
1,431
Re: what are these used for ?

maybe the key switch in the control went bad , and was just replaced with onw in the dash.
as mentioned the other one maybe choke?
check the controler mfg. and if there is a number on the switch , they mite have a key for it

woosterken
 

a70eliminator

Captain
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
3,762
Re: what are these used for ?

Ok here's third guess, put key in top one and turn ignition to on, bottom switch is spring loaded and engages the starter, kinda looks like a safety lanyard jumper too, I take it you just got this boat and don't know how to operate it yet.
 

NYBo

Admiral
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Oct 23, 2008
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7,107
Re: what are these used for ?

It's hard to tell from the picture, but perhaps a previous owner replaced the original engine controls that were flush-mounted (and had no electrics other than trim) with this surface-mounted one. Does the ignition switch in the dash look like it's original or at least in its original spot?
 

namesjax

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Joined
Jul 10, 2010
Messages
8
Re: what are these used for ?

yes the ignition in the dash looks like it is where it is spos to be maybe OEM. Haven't been around boating since I was a teenager and all we had when I was growing up were small fishing boats. I worked at a boat factory for a couple yrs back in the 70's but I was back in the molding area
 

geeco1

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Jul 16, 2009
Messages
373
Re: what are these used for ?

I had the same question on my boat as to what the bottom knob is for. After trial and error and taking the think of and looking at it, here is what it is......it is cruise control.

Now I know that you are probably laughing, but on my boat, this knob turns several turns. It tightens down a bolt which puts pressure agains the throttle. If you lossen this knob, you should notice that your throttle moves freely. If you tighten it down, you should notice that your throttle is stiffer. When you are moving at speed, you may notice that your throttle tends to creep down. Tightening this knob will help hold it in place... alas.... cruise control.
 

soaringhiggy

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2009
Messages
167
Re: what are these used for ?

Not really cruse control, but shift lever tension. It increases or decreases the friction in the controller. If I remember correctly, which is totally arbitrary, clockwise is more friction and counterclockwise is less.


Have fun.
 

seabob4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
1,603
Re: what are these used for ?

Damn, call me stupid! Actually, the proper name is throttle friction, prevents "throttle creep"...

Thanks, Higgy. In the salt water world, I typically deal with top mounts...
 

namesjax

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2010
Messages
8
Re: what are these used for ?

Not really cruse control, but shift lever tension. It increases or decreases the friction in the controller. If I remember correctly, which is totally arbitrary, clockwise is more friction and counterclockwise is less.


Have fun.


That is interesting because I have been thinking that it was a little difficult backing off from idle ol no wake speed to neutral. If that is the case I bet I can adjust the tension on the controller with that and get it where it comes back in to N easier
 

badkins50

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
676
Re: what are these used for ?

paint them red and place a caution sticker above them and tell everyone never touch those buttons. :rolleyes: hahaha.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: what are these used for ?

Absolutely correct. It is a throttle/shift lever friction control. Set it too loose (counter clockwise) and the throttle will not stay set where you put it. Turn it clockwise to adjust for more tension.
 

geeco1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
373
Re: what are these used for ?

Not really cruse control, but shift lever tension. It increases or decreases the friction in the controller. If I remember correctly, which is totally arbitrary, clockwise is more friction and counterclockwise is less.


Have fun.

Oh come on... Cruise Control sounds much cooler:D Think about it... would you say.... my boat has shift lever tension, or .... My boat has cruise control:p

JK... yes you are correct, it does prevent throttle creep as stated.
 

funk6294

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 26, 2009
Messages
294
Re: what are these used for ?

Top is for the safety lanyard, and as pointed out the bottom is the friction nob for controlling how easily the throttle moves.
 

Fed

Commander
Joined
Apr 1, 2010
Messages
2,457
Re: what are these used for ?

Jax if you're having trouble pulling back into neutral have a look around for some sort of shift interupt mechanism and switch, it's a typical Mercruiser thing but your OMC could easily use a similar system. Might be worth a post in the IO section.
 

RicMic

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 14, 2010
Messages
431
Re: what are these used for ?

I'd mark it "EJECTION SEAT" and then anytime someone annoyed me, I'd put my thumb over it!:D
 

namesjax

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2010
Messages
8
Re: what are these used for ?

haha the funny replies are as good as the serious ones... I love the ejection seat comment
 

cr2k

Captain
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Mar 19, 2009
Messages
3,730
Re: what are these used for ?

The top toggle switch may be your choke or tilt. The bottom is, as stated somewhere here, is your throttle friction.

Or; it is a talisman to ward off throttle creeps.
 
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