I have a 1996 26' Scarab that has dash mounted trim switches. I am thinking about putting a clamp-on switch on the throttle. I have seen some people complain about them being uncomfortable or odd to use. Will I be happy w/ a clamp-on switch or should I just buy a whole new throttle set-up w/ trim built in? If the clamp-on will work fine I'll go that way, if not I'll buy the new throttle set-up. Not trying to be tight.

Ok, second question. If I do buy a clamp-on switch, can the dash mounted switches still be used? Can it be wired so that both of them work w/ each other? Would still like to be able to use the trailer tilt if possible.

I realize that it's probably mostly owner preference, but I'd like to here everyone's opinion.

Thanks guys.

Buck
#183

Yes, you can have throttle mounted trim switches and still use the dash switches. If you mean trim tabs, then you need to buy 2 diodes: 1 for up. 1 for down. If outdrive only,(single I assume) then you can just splice into your dash switches.

I have both, in both places
Drive trim on the dash and on each of the 3 steering wheel spokes(6 push buttons).
Tabs also on the dash and in the throttle. I went with the in handle trim switch vs the clamp on. personnel preference.

I don't see any of them being odd to use, after the first couple of times. Then just an automatic thing. Plus switches are at your finger tips.

Jerry

I have the drive trim in the throttle which is easy to use and great. I had the clamp on vertical switch for the tabs and found them to be very confusing to use especialy in quick knee jerk times. I switched to a clamp on flat/horizontal switch which is much easier to use and is geographically correct ie. left switch is left tab etc., front is up back is down.

US1 Foutain is correct. You can have your cake and eat it too. The diods are the trick and most of the switches will come with wire diagrams as to how to wire them in to you existing switch. The hard part is making the wire that comes down the handle look good and stay still.

Jon

The only real complaint I had about my add-on trim switch was with the wire that runs down the shifter and into the boot. Everytime I move the stick the wire would pull the boot out.
I tried lubricating the boot & wire but that only lasted a short time.

I ended up replacing the stick with one that had a trim switch built in.

Eric

Eric, when I added the in handle trim button, I used a 1/4" SS tube and feed the wires thru and them flatened the tube to the same thickness as the lever. Then painted to match. The handle knob is drilled for one end of the tube, and it follows the lever contour down thru the boot, to which I made a permament clip that holds it to the lever. No loose wires and it looks just like the factory one. I did have to cut the lever stop back some to accomodate the tube.
Jerry

Now that's a good idea. I got a sweet deal on the new stick and sold the old one. So Im even anyway.

Eric

I probably should have been a little more clear on my question.

I am looking to trim the outdrive only. Having the tabs on the dash doesn't bother me. I might use the tabs twice a year for the annual trip to LOTO. Other then that they just stay up. Our lake is not a big water lake.

It's just a pain to have to go from throttle to dash everytime I want to adjust trim. (which is quite a bit)

Sounds like a may have some luck w/ the clamp-on from the replies.

Buck
#183

Buck,
I have the clamp on switch and have had no problems with it, it is actually quite comfortable to use, with that you don't have to look down for the unreachable switches on the dash .
I've got to the point where I trim the boat by feel, no need to look at the indicators, well maybe once and a while

I have gaffrig's clamp on for my Merc Zero Eff on my fountain, I like it a lot better than the one that was on the wheel or the dash.

It was about a half hour hookup including the diode and wiring. Much nicer to have the switch where the had is especially since the throttle and dash switch are both on the left hand side on my boat. I ran the wire right down the front of the lever and used small zip ties to secure it. No binding with the boot or any other problems.

Mike