How to wire in a trim limit switch
 

Howdy,
I'd like to wire-in a trim limit switch on a boat that doesn't currently use one. The Bravo on my boat doesn't have a 'trailer' button, trim only. However, due to the external steering cap and the low swimdeck if one isn't paying attention he may accidentally stuff the drive up into said platform. Not cool.

My plan is to adjust it to kill the up trim shortly before it collides with the swim deck.

Also, how hard is it to add a mechanical trim indicator? I'm fairly savvy with tools, I keep a small machine shop as a hobby, but I'm looking if there are any pitfalls.

Thanks

I assume something is wrong with your stock trims sender and limit switch .Or is it a high perf without them. People will commonly bypass limit switch instead of repair it..
It's easy to install mechanical sender if that's what you need .nothing but $

i didny look but knew it was a fountain..like mentioned most likely bypassed..look at the trim pump,their are bullett connectors going to it from the drive area,,look to see if they are connected..if you have a trim gauge then you will have the sender and it just may need to be hooked up or it is hooked up and may just need to be adjusted..as for external trim gauge look at eddiemarine.com they have a feew or go to the vender list on the left side of this page and pick one and start calling for pricing.

Mercury sells spacers that go inside your rams so it limits how far the drive can go up. Easy to do I had to do this on mine when I put on my new drive!

I'm fairly certain this is what's happened. And yes, I do have a failed trim gauge or sending unit that I'm looking to replace. But I took the limit switch apart and shined up the contacts, it's so dead simple it's nearly impossible for it to fail.

I'll have a look this weekend. Thanks.

We had to do this also. Very simple project

Can you explain this some more ? Or post a link to the spacer please.

Attachment 496823

Here ya go

That's one way to do it, but I'm going to try the method that doesn't require bleeding cylinders first. :whistle:

I had a solinoid stick and drove the drive into the swim platform hearing your gimbal crack is a sound you really don't want to hear! Trust me.

Thanks! Just ordered one. I have the same problem with my new drive, can't go all the way up or the helmet contacts the gimble ring. Are the shims a pain to put on?

If your problem is the last bit of tilt range(not the lower trim range)The limit switch won't fix it and that is the way to do it. Trim limit switches only work down somewhere around the thrust pads

Nope piece of cake!

+1

Why won't the limit switch prevent me from contacting my swim platform?

In its original setup you'd be out of the adjustment range. However if one were to re-index the setup and tinker with it I think you'd get to where the drive will stop automatically before the steering contacts the hull. I'm thinking that if it weren't for the steering linkage the drive would tilt up fully without issue.

Does anyone know the pin to pin length the spacers limit the cylinders? I'd like to measure and make sure it provides adequate protection. The thought of the stuck solenoid suckssss.

The travel limit of the switch won't allow it to rotate that far. If you set it at the top limit you wouldn't be able to lower your drive all the way. I will measure the spacers when I get to the shop. They are real easy to put in.

The spacers are 5/8'', you can put up to 3 per side.

Ahh, now I see. I hadn't considered the overall travel of the limit switch, I'm not used to dealing with these in a rotary app. Thank you.

I'm headed to my shop this afternoon to do some other work on the drive so I'll measure and see what will work best.

usually what fails is the wires where they go through the transom. i have seen one setup where the wires are routed thru transom above the gimball housing. it is another hole in transom, but you don't hafta pull drive(s) to get to the wiring...

Bump.

I finally measured some things, and I'd like to limit cylinder extension to 25-1/4".

Does anyone know pin-to-pin length at full extension of these cylinders? I'd like to know how many spacers to order.

Thanks, Cole

I you have a small machince shop, spacers are cake to make. I used to make them all the time for shocks. all you need is some aluminum round stock and a lathe.

I have a pretty well equipped machine shop, it's the dimensions I'm looking for. Lol

I don't want to hijack the thread, but can someone explain how the two wires off the trim limit puck are supposed to be wired into the trim pump? And the trim gauge puck? The person that owned the boat before me just cut both the trim sender and trim limit wires and installed a mechanical indicator. I have since purchased a new transom assembly and I'm going back to using the trim limit puck and trim sender puck. (removed the mechanical indicator) I don't see any cut leads or empty bullet connectors on my pump. Can someone tell me how to wire the trim limit sender and trim gauge sender?