Adding trim switches to throttle or helm
 

Thinking of adding the ability to trim the drives on the throttle (or maybe the helm).

I've looked through OSO and a majority of information is pretty old. Having independent drive trim on each lever would be beneficial. Merc has a kit, 87-848926A2, but doesn't list the components. I'd need two, one for left and right. I see there are diode kits for each up/down (would these be needed if using two switches?). How do you wire it? I'd think you could just run the switches to the corresponding terminals on the dash switches and have it work without the need for diodes. Anyway, never done this before but I'd like to.

I have a CRT wheel that has switches and wiring, but don't think I have enough space between the bolster, the wheel, and me to make it work (I think I'm already using the shortest helm post).

Thoughts on doing this?

Maybe Livorsi Marine, Inc. - Throttles and Controls, Livorsi DTS Controls, Platinum Series Controls and Throttles

Here are the wiring instructions for one of Livorsi’s throttle assemblies (now discontinued):


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8f9eba7a5.jpeg

Anyone know of where to get the switches that can go into the handle on a Zero Effort control?

NLA anywhere as far as I know. Old thread where a guy made some, but he has not been on OSO for few years. https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...-controls.html

I did it on my twin OB w/no diodes.

The challenge was finding a supplier of switches small enough to fit the OEM Keikhaefer lever button.

They work great but with them that small, it’s almost impossible to tell if you’re trimming both motors or not.

I’ve turned around more than once to see one motor tilted almost out of the water!

I mounted a second set of regular sized buttons on the helm in case the tiny ones act up.

You want a single button connected through diodes to individual buttons for each drive.

That way, the single button moves both drives, while you keep the ability of the individual buttons to control the drives separately.

TrimSync is a highly recommended product for keeping drives trimmed at the same height.

Marine Industries West sells diode kits. You can also find Mercury trim diode kits on eBay. You can of course also just buy suitable diodes.

Wait, no phone app for trim yet ? :)

I think the kit is still available from Merc. I didn't see it on BAM's site, but PerfPro indicated it was available. $98 for the switch kit and then $60 for the diode harness. I'm unsure if the harness comes with the switch kit. Seems expensive but if it works...

Per an old lookup for switches from Great Lakes Skipper, the insider diameter of the hole is 1.25-inch.

Trim diodes
 

I've been getting trim diodes from Marine Industries West. He is a great guy and charges half of what Mercury is asking.

https://www.marineindustrieswest.com...p_id=62&page=1

Trim switch for Kiekhafer controls
 

It does not look too different from the switch that Latham uses, but Latham's switch does not have any frame.

Latham sells individual switches at Latham prices.

Might be worth investigating.