Upgrade to Gen II Cables?

[Nardo1895]

I need to replace my shift commander (1984 Alpha One Drive) and most replacements require Gen II cables. There seem to be a few Gen I compatible controllers out there. Is it worth switching to the Gen II cables? Is the engine end on the Gen II cables the same as Gen I?

 

[Bondo]

I need to replace my shift commander (1984 Alpha One Drive) and most replacements require Gen II cables. There seem to be a few Gen I compatible controllers out there. Is it worth switching to the Gen II cables? Is the engine end on the Gen II cables the same as Gen I?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... The controller don't care which drive ya use,... Donno what ya mean by Gen.II cables,...

 

[fishrdan]

Gen II cables are the newest cables, different design than the old cables. There's a circular slot on the cable, to anchor the cable into the shifter, instead of a brass barrel.

http://www.iboats.com/images/telefle..._II_ob_big.gif

(Click link for cable pic)...... (I give up on trying to post a pic)

I changed over to Gen II cables when I installed a Mercury 4000 remote control, and both work fine. But honestly, the old style cables look like they are built better. The old brass barrel has WAY more contact with the shifter housing, while the GenII has little contact,,,,,, something that looks like it could eventually wear through.

 

[Fun Times]

Gen 1 and Gen 2 are not interchangeable. To use Gen 2 cables, you'll have to buy a new gen 2 controller as well.

 

[Nardo1895]

Ya, I'm thinking about replacing the cables because I'm replacing the controller. Fishrdan makes an interesting case for the older style cables. I wonder if Mercury & others will continue to stock Gen 1 cables if I buy a Gen 1 controller. I'd hate to get stuck replacing the controller again should I need new cables at some point.

 

[Fun Times]

Ya, I'm thinking about replacing the cables because I'm replacing the controller. Fishrdan makes an interesting case for the older style cables. I wonder if Mercury & others will continue to stock Gen 1 cables if I buy a Gen 1 controller. I'd hate to get stuck replacing the controller again should I need new cables at some point.

Sorry about that, I got fixated on the title and not the main question yesterday!:sleeping: While the engine manufactures do have an tendency to fade out the old and bring in the new as time goes on. Your concern is a valid one. It's hard to imagine the aftermarket companies would want to stop making Gen 1 cables due to the high number of engine models out there that require them but stopping or changing production has happened many times over. Here is some info on the new Gen 2 control unit if interested.


http://www.marinemechanic.com/merc/c...5000-EN_08.pdf

....
http://www.shiftcables.com/ Good luck.