I bit the bullet

[jayhanig]

I went ahead and ordered the SS Smart Tabs for my bowrider along with a transom tilt switch from the Iboats marine store.

I would have also ordered a set of those small pumps for the West resin/epoxy system were it not for the shipping. I was all set to order all three items when I noted that the pumps would come from a second location and the shipping was more than their total value. I wasn't too thrilled... it seems to me that the shipping and handling ought to be covered by that which I am already paying for heavier items. Those pumps can't weigh more than an ounce or so... they wanted $14+ for a $10 item. No thanks!

That being said, I'll get the pumps from West Marine the next time I'm in the store. And I look forward to the other two additions to my boat arriving.

Does anybody have any insight into where I hook the tilt switch electrically? I've got a Mercruiser 140 I/O with the Alpha 1 outdrive.

 

[produceguy]

Re: I bit the bullet

The shipping charges are crazy. I want to buy little stuff all the time but have to wait until I need a larger purchuse because of shipping. I feel your pain.
Let us know how the smart tads work for you.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: I bit the bullet

Well, that didn't take long: two days, and my toys are here!

I will ask again: where do I make the electrical connections for the transom tilt switch to my Mercruiser I/O with Alpha I outdrive?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: I bit the bullet

Usually kits of that sort will come with instructions. My guess is you'll be given a diagram and it may include the necessary pigtail wires & connectors. If it has the pigtails/connectors it might be plug & play. That's a lot better than making the ends and wires yourself. But if it doesn't give you that stuff we can point you to a diagram.
Do yourself a favor and locate the switch well above waterline, plus pre-drill and seal any fastening points so as to avoid water intrusion to your hull.
Remember to make all your connections with the battery disconnected.
Once the connections are made try both the helm & transom control in all directions.
Oh, and don't freak out when you can't use the trim button if you have already raised the drive above the trim limit with the tilt button.
I made that mistake once and spent 10 minutes with a volt meter checking for power when there shouldn't have been any!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: I bit the bullet

Oops, stuff is here, eh? No info sheet in the box? I will find the diagram & post it, but I'm lousy at pulling documents off of the adobe format so it will be awhile.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: I bit the bullet

Oops, stuff is here, eh? No info sheet in the box? I will find the diagram & post it, but I'm lousy at pulling documents off of the adobe format so it will be awhile.

Here's the instructions, such as they are:

1. Select desired location for switch.
2. Mount securely to area with fasteners included.
3. Route wires to existing harness from engine.
4. Locate trim wires (red or puple for "hot"; green or green/white for "down"; blue or blue/white for "up".
5. Splice into these wires with corresponding color wires from switch.
6. Test operation.

No diagrams or pictures included. There is a single 24" cord with three conductors cut off clean at its end, so I get to make up the terminals. That's no biggie but I'm not sure where to look on the engine for the "existing harness" that they assume I can find.

Does anybody see anything wrong with mounting this on the horizontal portion of the transom at the centerline of the boat? Or does it need to be better protected? I would drill three holes: one through and through for the wire to pass through and two only 3/8" deep for mounting screws. All three holes would get 4200 applied to seal them up.

 

[64osby]

Re: I bit the bullet

I would locate the switches as close to the rail as possible, give them a little protection.

Side note on your trailer set up - Is your boat laying flat on your bunk??? Looks like your on a rib of the hull, might want to move the bunk out to so the boat lays flush on the bunk. Just a thought.

Good luck w/ the install

 

[jayhanig]

Re: I bit the bullet

I would locate the switches as close to the rail as possible, give them a little protection.

Side note on your trailer set up - Is your boat laying flat on your bunk??? Looks like your on a rib of the hull, might want to move the bunk out to so the boat lays flush on the bunk. Just a thought.

Good luck w/ the install

I may be able to put the switch under the rail itself; certainly in its shadow if it won't fit. But thanks for the advice.

As for the trailer, that was a picture taken the day I bought the boat. There's been a few changes since then:

New hubs and tires, new bearings with bearing buddies, new bunks, new bunk hardware, new wiring, new guides, new winch. And on the boat itself, new transom. Lottsa new.

 

[64osby]

Re: I bit the bullet

Great job on the trailer, and the transom. You've been busy.
You might have to pull the rail to put the switches under it. I would think in it's shadow would work great, then the rail doesn't have to come off if (when) your working on it.