Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > General Q & A
Adding trim switches to throttle or helm >

Adding trim switches to throttle or helm

Notices

Adding trim switches to throttle or helm

Old 02-01-2023, 04:39 PM
  #1  
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
TomZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 3,980
Received 1,231 Likes on 686 Posts
Default 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?
TomZ is offline  
Old 02-01-2023, 05:14 PM
  #2  
GPM
Registered
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pa
Posts: 2,660
Received 78 Likes on 56 Posts
Default

Maybe Livorsi Marine, Inc. - Throttles and Controls, Livorsi DTS Controls, Platinum Series Controls and Throttles
GPM is offline  
Old 02-01-2023, 07:01 PM
  #3  
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
TomZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 3,980
Received 1,231 Likes on 686 Posts
Default

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




Anyone know of where to get the switches that can go into the handle on a Zero Effort control?
TomZ is offline  
Old 02-02-2023, 12:09 AM
  #4  
Charter Member # 55
Charter Member
 
Griff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Omaha/LOTO
Posts: 19,548
Received 1,812 Likes on 902 Posts
Default

NLA anywhere as far as I know. Old thread where a guy made some, but he has not been on OSO for few years. Trim Switch For Offshore Controls
Griff is offline  
The following users liked this post:
TomZ (02-03-2023)
Old 02-02-2023, 05:19 AM
  #5  
Registered
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Cardington Ohio
Posts: 4,182
Received 1,819 Likes on 711 Posts
Default

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.

Last edited by Twin O/B Sonic; 02-02-2023 at 05:31 AM.
Twin O/B Sonic is offline  
The following users liked this post:
TomZ (02-03-2023)
Old 02-02-2023, 07:29 AM
  #6  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 317
Received 129 Likes on 85 Posts
Default

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.
Markus is offline  
Old 02-02-2023, 07:39 AM
  #7  
SB
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: On A Dirt Floor
Posts: 13,537
Received 3,105 Likes on 1,399 Posts
Default

Wait, no phone app for trim yet ?
SB is offline  
The following 5 users liked this post by SB:
Bondo (02-02-2023), endeavor1 (02-03-2023), Padraig (02-02-2023), RSCHAP1 (02-02-2023), TomZ (02-02-2023)
Old 02-02-2023, 08:31 AM
  #8  
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
TomZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 3,980
Received 1,231 Likes on 686 Posts
Default

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.
TomZ is offline  
Old 02-02-2023, 08:51 AM
  #9  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 317
Received 129 Likes on 85 Posts
Default 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
Markus is offline  
Old 02-02-2023, 08:57 AM
  #10  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 317
Received 129 Likes on 85 Posts
Default 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.
Markus is offline  
The following users liked this post:
TomZ (02-02-2023)

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.