Re: hydro electric shift switch
What is it Johnson single lever? I believe you are looking at about 85 bucks for a new one. TwinCity Outboards, Seaway Marine or iShopMarine are a few online places to get them, I dont believe you can get them through BRP anymore, and was unable to find them here on iboats. There are ways to bypass and install a toggle, but you have to understand it is not reccomended, you are bypassing the safety features. This comes from Joe Reeves, he definately knows what he is talking about.
(Toggle Shift Switch Setup For The Hydro Electric Shift Unit)
(J. Reeves)
Due to the unavailability of the "Push Button" (Evinrude) or "Toggle Type" (Johnson) shift switch that is required for the "Hydro Electric Shift" type lower units that existed between 1968 and 1972, many boaters have asked how they could rig up a toggle switch to perform this shifting function. There may be much better solutions but the following is what I have come up with.
One must keep in mind that wiring a toggle switch in such a manner allows one to accidently shift from forward to reverse at full throttle. This could and probably has resulted in injuries to boaters, not to mention the mechanical damage. Should this or any other problems arise/occur, I am in no way to be held responsible for the toggle switch to shift switch replacement mentioned here.
For the above reason, I strongly suggest that the toggle switch have a hinged hard case cover installed over it so that the toggle can never be thrown/toggled accidentally.
Now, with a single pole double throw toggle switch installed so the the "Green" wire connection is facing up or away from you, make the following connections to the terminals on the back of the toggle switch.
......O <--- Green Wire
......O <--- 12 volt Supply
......O <--- Blue Wire
Now, between the Green wire and Blue wire terminal on the toggle switch, connect a diode capable of handling 12 volts (available at Radio Shack etc). Be sure to install the diode so that the voltage will travel from the Blue wire connection to the Green wire connection only...... and not vice versa!
Now, if you have installed the switch as above, with the toggle pulled all the way back (towards yourself), contact will be made between the 12v supply and the Green connection. This puts the unit in Neutral. The diode prevents any voltage from gaining access to the Blue connection.
Pushing the toggle lever to the middle position results in no voltage being supplied to either wire. This results in the spring loaded clutch shifter dog in the lower unit throwing the unit into forward gear.
Pushing the toggle switch lever all the way to the front position will have the center 12 volt supply connected to the Blue wire connection, and due to the diode, that 12 volt supply will also be supplied to the Green wire. This results in having the unit in reverse gear.
To shift from one gear to the other, avoiding neutral, just move that toggle extremely fast.
The white wires were a neutral safety circuit within the original switch. Simply join them together. BUT keep in mind that this allows one to start the engine in gear at various throttle settings SO be sure the engine is in neutral at a low throttle setting when starting.
The Purple/Green wire should be the 12v source supply and having that 12v source only when the key is in the ON and START position.
