Stop button conversion to kill cord (4.5hp 1975 Merc.)

[jon8910]

Hi<br />I have a Mercury 1975 4.5hp outboard with a rubber covered 'stop' button. Is it easy to convert it to a kill cord? Is there a simple conversion using a more modern part to replace the stop button?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Jon

 

[Wreck Rider]

Re: Stop button conversion to kill cord (4.5hp 1975 Merc.)

Hi.<br /><br />Yes. Conversion is (probably) very simple using a univeral kill switch available at your local marina or online from several sources (look at the mega mall on this site, "electrical" then "emergency....").<br /><br />The universal kill switch gives you four connections, allowing both of the methods of stopping a motor. For motors with a battery operated ignition (generally the key-start type) you cut the power to the ignition circuit. For motors with a magneto type ignition (generally the pull-start type) you connect the live side of the two sets of points to each other, or in the case of a single cylinder you connect the high side of the one set of points to ground, this prevents the creation of a spark and shuts the motor off.<br /><br />Your existing stop button has the connections you need, your job will be to remove that kill-switch, replace it with a lanyard type kill-switch, and then make the connections again.<br /><br />Here's an article on how they work.<br /> http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/05/columns/max/3/free.cfm <br /><br />Here's a link to a very useful thread where I asked that same question.<br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=031668#000000