Go Back   RIBnet Forums > RIB talk > Engines & props
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
 
Old 24 October 2018, 13:18   #1
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Dorset
Length: 6m +
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 159
Twin engines - single trim switch

I've got twin Merc 90 2 strokes (1997) and they weren't originally fitted with trim senders & gauges. Rather than having the expense of fitting these and to avoid always turning round to check they are trimmed together has anyone fitted a single trim switch on their console?

Fairly handy with DIY stuff but I suspect the wiring involved to have a single switch but also be able to use the individual switches on the throttles would be above my level!

Any thoughts welcome. Thanks!
__________________
CUSAC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 October 2018, 13:35   #2
Member
 
Pikey Dave's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Town: South Yorks
Boat name: Black Pig
Make: Ribcraft
Length: 5m +
Engine: DF140a
MMSI: 235111389
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,163
RIBase
Quote:
Originally Posted by CUSAC View Post
I've got twin Merc 90 2 strokes (1997) and they weren't originally fitted with trim senders & gauges. Rather than having the expense of fitting these and to avoid always turning round to check they are trimmed together has anyone fitted a single trim switch on their console?



Fairly handy with DIY stuff but I suspect the wiring involved to have a single switch but also be able to use the individual switches on the throttles would be above my level!



Any thoughts welcome. Thanks!


Not 100% sure what you’re trying to achieve, but; if you’re trying to trim both engines simultaneously from one switch, it only works “ish” due to differences in speed from the trim pumps, they soon get out of sync. It’s pretty straight forward to do & will involve a relay. My last RIB had twins with individual trim switches on the binnacle & a common one in the throttle.
__________________
Rule#2: Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level & then beat you with experience.
Rule#3: Tha' can't educate pork.
Rule#4:Don't feed the troll
Pikey Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 October 2018, 13:37   #3
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Dorset
Length: 6m +
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 159
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pikey Dave View Post
Not 100% sure what you’re trying to achieve, but; if you’re trying to trim both engines simultaneously from one switch, it only works “ish” due to differences in speed from the trim pumps, they soon get out of sync. It’s pretty straight forward to do & will involve a relay. My last RIB had twins with individual trim switches on the binnacle & a common one in the throttle.
Yes the idea was to trim both simultaneously. Hadn't considered slight differences in pump speeds. Maybe it's not worth the hassle for what it solves. Might just keep on the lookout for second hand trim sender units.
__________________
CUSAC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 October 2018, 13:41   #4
Member
 
Fender's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Make: Zodiac
Length: under 3m
Engine: Scull
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 531
A lot of twin helms have a master trim switch for both engines and then individual handed trims for 'trimming' / fine adjustment, it would be relatively easy to retro fit a master and still have the individuals, you'd just need a 'momentary on / off / momentary on' marine grade switch with the correct poles
__________________
Fender is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 October 2018, 13:48   #5
Member
 
Country: UK - Scotland
Make: HumberOceanOffshore
Length: 8m +
Engine: Volvo KAD300/DPX
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,596
As Pikey Dave said! It is a fairly common arrangement and though the motors do get out of sync if you trim them both fully down initially then trim out for running they'll stay pretty much in sync over that short trim time.

You'll need to pick up the connections on the present trim relays and feed a supply to them both from a separate, single relay triggered by your new trim switch. Alternatively, if you can source a double pole trim switch it can be wired one side to the left trim switch and the second side to the right trim switch so when it is pressed both engine's trims are energised.
__________________
JW.
jwalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 October 2018, 14:52   #6
Member
 
Country: UK - Scotland
Town: denny
Boat name: breezy
Make: northcraft
Length: 6m +
Engine: honda 150
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 888
RIBase
Quote:
Originally Posted by CUSAC View Post
I've got twin Merc 90 2 strokes (1997) and they weren't originally fitted with trim senders & gauges. Rather than having the expense of fitting these and to avoid always turning round to check they are trimmed together has anyone fitted a single trim switch on their console?

Fairly handy with DIY stuff but I suspect the wiring involved to have a single switch but also be able to use the individual switches on the throttles would be above my level!

Any thoughts welcome. Thanks!
ive got a trim sensor and wiring from a 2013 mariner 4 stroke if its the same your welcome to it I took it off as the smart craft needs a sensor that was different
__________________
breezeblock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 October 2018, 16:00   #7
Member
 
Last Tango's Avatar
 
Country: UK - Scotland
Town: Denny
Boat name: Highland Bluewater
Length: 6m +
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,647
Without trim gauges, are you still, not going to have to turn round to check if they're trimmed together? And if you're using then for trimming out "heel" does it matter as they're not going to be the same, if you're not, can you not tell from the heel when they're not?

That made sense in my head but it's been a long day..............
__________________
Last Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 October 2018, 15:37   #8
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Dorset
Length: 6m +
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 159
Thanks for everyone's thoughts. Having dug the service manual out a double pole switch looks fairly easy to graft in so will give that a go over winter.
__________________
CUSAC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 October 2018, 16:40   #9
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Dorset
Boat name: Viper
Make: XS
Length: 7m +
Engine: Outboard 2x 100
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 221
I've got an old set of top mount twin controls off that vintage of engine and the old trim gauges (not the senders though).

The controls use 2 trim switches but both on the starboard lever so you can trim them separately if you need to or both at the same time with your thumb if you want to trim both at once. Are you using top or side mount?
__________________
oracle is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




All times are GMT. The time now is 16:04.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.