engine warning kit?

[diew]

just got this kit<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/products/7/3876_cole_hersee_marine_engine_warning_kit.html <br /><br />can't find an electrical diagram of it. I'm guessing the 2 components it comes with replaces my current gauges. But if my current gauges work right now, can't i just hook them up to the buzzer or does the buzzer only work with these specific gauges that it comes with?<br /><br />thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: engine warning kit?

NO, the alarm kit is seperate from the gauge sending units. You need both. Those are know as switches, not senders like used with gauges.<br />If the temp goes over a certain degree, the switch closes and the alarm goes off, if the oil pressure drops below a certain psi, the switch closes and the alarm sounds.

 

[diew]

Re: engine warning kit?

oh ok. thanks.

 

[diew]

Re: engine warning kit?

so i'm guessing i would need to find places to put both the coolant switch and oil pressure switch. the oil pressure switch thread is 1/8-27 and the coolant switch is 3/8-18. Anyone know where a convienient location to put these? engine is a 350 mercruiser, early 90's block.<br /><br />thanks again.

 

[qystan]

Re: engine warning kit?

The oil switch goes into a hole located above the oil filter on the main engine block. Its above the oil filter mount at the left aft lower rear end of the engine. The hole is plugged with a blank, remove that and install the switch.<br /><br />For the water temp switch, you can either mount it at the thermostat housing if one of the temp sensor port is not used or at the water pump. The water pump location requires an adapter to fit the smaller sensor diameter to the larger port on the pump.

 

[qystan]

Re: engine warning kit?

Forgot to mention that the wires for both items are already in the harness, its a light blue wire.

 

[Don S]

Re: engine warning kit?

Qystan, the light blue wire is for the gauge sender, not the alarm switch. The wires for the alarm senders will be tan with a blue stripe.<br /><br />Many people just remove the temp sender from the manifold, install a street T fitting in the manifold and then install both sender in the T. Haven't seen a problem, and mine is done that way. Still reads the same temp and the rest of the engine when using a temp gun.<br />Oil pressure switch can also T off from the sender or put in the plug mentioned over the filter.<br />Below is a wiring diagram out of a Merc manual showing the alarm wiring (section C), and the normal gauge sender wiring (Section D).<br /><br />

 

[qystan]

Re: engine warning kit?

Don, yes, its the tan/blue wire. Thanks for setting me right.

 

[diew]

Re: engine warning kit?

thanks for the info. I think i will use the T junction for both fittings.....<br /><br />Just out of curiosity, do they make an alarm that is built into a gauge?(can an alarm work off a sender like a gauge does. can there be a switch in the gauge to set off the alarm.....)

 

[Don S]

Re: engine warning kit?

Just out of curiosity, do they make an alarm that is built into a gauge?(can an alarm work off a sender like a gauge does. can there be a switch in the gauge to set off the alarm.....)

Nope. Two completely different and seperate operations, and one has absolutly nothing to with the other in relation to what they indicate.

 

[diew]

Re: engine warning kit?

thanks Don S. your quick replies are awesome!

 

[diew]

Re: engine warning kit?

one more quick question.. searched forum but couldn't find it. Do you know what the timing should be for a early 90's mercruiser 350? i have it about 10 right now and it sounds good. should i go to 8 though? this is at about 800 rpm.<br /><br />thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: engine warning kit?

Give me a year or a serial number, and I can give you the timing.

 

[diew]

Re: engine warning kit?

1992

 

[Don S]

Re: engine warning kit?

8° BTDC, at idle (650 to 700 rpm), If 800 is your idle rpm, that is too fast and it hard on the drive.

 

[diew]

Re: engine warning kit?

thanks for the info Don S. i appreciate it.