512 Questions
 

Back in high school (1974) I bought a 1965 Mustang. I learned to maintain and upgrade it using Chilton's manuals, reading popular hot-rodding, and asking fellow enthusiasts. Are there publications, such as Chilton's, for Cigarettes and/or Mercury Marine? I'm servicing my 1989 Cafe Racer and am running into a lot of unfamiliar territory. For example, what is this terminal block that goes to both batteries and has two low-current wires attached to it?
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...63544664a3.jpg

I`m going to say there is nothing like a chiltons for Cigs.
We`re your Chiltons:D
I pretty sure that is your parallel switch to combine both batteries.
There should be a parallel switch on your dash. 12v control voltage pulls in coil relay and combines both batteries.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...925cae8f23.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8c9d1c61f4.jpg
between the 2 start buttons....???

Looks like a typical solenoid used to control high AMP circuit. functions the same as starter solenoid. Could also call that a relay too. The light gauge wires control the coil. Just google "solenoid wiring diagram".

Dan's correct, its your battery parallel solenoid. Some models don't have the switch on the dash, on my Top Gun it automatically pulls the solenoid in when you hit the start button or hatch.

Try and reach CIG3, he has the Cigarette manuals by model in PDF.

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...s-manuals.html

Thanks for the info. That answers two of my questions; the other being what is does the PAR START switch do.

I've pulled up the cafe's floor, the Surveyor alerted me to a squishy portion. He said repairing it is a weekend job. Now that I have it out, how do I fix it? Stepping on the starboard side aft portion (typical boarding location) causes a wheezing sound as air escapes through the screw holes.

--AND--

What fuel additive(s) are recommended for Cigarettes?

I always used my parallel switch when I started my Cafe motors. They just spun faster doing that.

I use high quality 93 octane fuel so never bothered with any snake oils. Sometimes I would use stabilizer over the winter and sometimes I didn't. Never noticed a shred of difference, but I never ran the boat hard either.

I have a ton of Cafe stuff electronically if you would like it. Could send to you tomorrow - manuals, working diagrams, etc...... PM me your email address if you'd like it.....

Is it bad practice to mount a Honda generator in the engine compartment, venting the exhaust out the engine hatch vents?

Are you serious Clark?

CO is heavier than air , my boat has drains from cuddy to bilge , those openings could potentially carry the CO into the cuddy. if you want to do this while sleeping you may wake up dead.
When my gas tanks leaked into the bilge while we were sleeping the cuddy filled with gas fumes it woke us up and I felt like I swallowed a gallon of gas.
CO is odorless , you won`t wake up.

It's been done, but I would never recommend it.
https://www.performanceboats.com/thr....148330/page-2



https://www.performanceboats.com/att...ne-jpg.293442/

What type of marine paint stripper should I use to remove the black/gold/blue stripe on my 1989 Cafe Racer in preparation for a vinyl wrap?

I've carefully DA'd (dual action sander) stripes off of my Cigarettes and had good results, BUT I'll defer to Glass Dave if he's still on the board, Dave is a master of glass and paint work.

Seafordguy, could you please send me any info you have also? I bought an 89 Cafe recently and would like to have as much info as possible.

I would also much appreciate the manuals & diagrams for my cafe project.

I sent via email to both of you. Let me know if you don't receive....

Eric

Today's question: There are two sounders behind the instrument panel; I assume engine alarms. The port unit has two pairs of wires: a purple wire to each terminal and a grey wire to each terminal. The starboard unit also has a purple and grey pair but the grey pair was taped off and the purple pair had bare wires wrapped around the terminals with no ring lug or nut. The engines are 496 MAG. What is the correct wiring for the sounders and why are there two wire pairs?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d338db9267.jpg

And, while on the subject of noise makers, where is the Horn (my horn buttons doesn't work)?

I figured it out: The purple wires are +12V; one, switched, from the ignition switch, the other to the instrument panel for the gauges. A pair for each engine. The grey wire (presumably from the engine) is pulled to ground to sound the alarm and the other grey wire goes to the instrument panel to illuminate the engine fault indicator.

New question: Brand recommendations for inflatable life jackets?

FiveTwelve, if you haven't noticed, shotty mechanics that can't figure out why an engine alarm continues to sound will cut the wires as their grand fix..... et voila - no more pesky alarm going off and the customer has no idea there is an issue at any time.

No clue on the buzzers, i ripped all that **** out of mine since i am changing so much, & they were already disconnected from previous owner i assume.

The horns are located in the very front of the vberth thru that access hatch. They are mounted vertically on the unfinished hatch support wall.

Anderson Power Pole connectors.
 

Is there a standard among Cigarette users for using Anderson Power Pole connectors to connect/disconnect jumper cables to assist other boaters or to get a jump yourself?

Never seen them in a Cig, but i have in Fountains.

Battery charger/maintainer
 

I installed a Pro Charging Systems DualPro 30A charger in the engine compartment. It clicks every 60 seconds (even when no AC is connected) and hums. It annoys me when I'm trying to rest/sleep in the v-berth. Pro Charging Systems says this is normal.

I'd appreciate recommendations on a silent dual bank 30A charger.