Walk of Shame

Salty Pete · 16 February 2021, 09:24

Yesterday was brilliant day for boating.

Hitched up my boat and headed for the boat ramp (what could possibly go wrong?)

Backed my boat down the ramp, tied it to the jetty and took my car back to the parking area. Fair distance from the ramp.

Back on the boat, lowered the outboard and turned the key, not a sound.

Last time I took the boat out I had to wiggle the throttle handle to engage the neutral switch. So I tightened the handle, did I test it afterwards NO!

Don't laugh it's not funny!
When I tightened the handle it tightened down on the side of the neutral micro switch and broke it.

I had to take the "walk of shame" back to my car and to make matters worse I was going diving and had my wet suit on and it was sunny and I was hot.

Please I asked you not to laugh.

Anyway the problem was only a broken micro switch obtained from the local electronic store for a very small sum. Refitted the throttle control AND I tested it and all works well.

This is somewhat surprising due to the fact that I have a bit left over. A small roller 10mm dia and 6mm thick. I cannot find a place for it.

So, I'm going out tomorrow and if the piece left out is important you won't hear from me again. Then you can laugh.

treerat · 16 February 2021, 09:48

Ah bless - not the first, won't be the last

Good news is it's sorted, and you live to play another day.

SimonCh · 16 February 2021, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty Pete

Yesterday was brilliant day for boating.

Hitched up my boat and headed for the boat ramp (what could possibly go wrong?)

Backed my boat down the ramp, tied it to the jetty and took my car back to the parking area. Fair distance from the ramp.

Back on the boat, lowered the outboard and turned the key, not a sound.

Last time I took the boat out I had to wiggle the throttle handle to engage the neutral switch. So I tightened the handle, did I test it afterwards NO!

Don't laugh it's not funny!
When I tightened the handle it tightened down on the side of the neutral micro switch and broke it.

I had to take the "walk of shame" back to my car and to make matters worse I was going diving and had my wet suit on and it was sunny and I was hot.

Please I asked you not to laugh.

Anyway the problem was only a broken micro switch obtained from the local electronic store for a very small sum. Refitted the throttle control AND I tested it and all works well.

This is somewhat surprising due to the fact that I have a bit left over. A small roller 10mm dia and 6mm thick. I cannot find a place for it.

So, I'm going out tomorrow and if the piece left out is important you won't hear from me again. Then you can laugh.

We've all had days like this. I once spent a good half hour fault finding my engine which wouldn't start. I took fuel lines off, blew through the fuel filter, re-primed it all, had spark plugs out before I noticed the kill chord wasn't fitted.

Poly · 16 February 2021, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty Pete

This is somewhat surprising due to the fact that I have a bit left over. A small roller 10mm dia and 6mm thick. I cannot find a place for it.

So, I'm going out tomorrow and if the piece left out is important you won't hear from me again. Then you can laugh.

Do you know how to override / manually operate it all when it turns out that part was more critical than it seemed? I’ve found that sometimes you can make stuff work fine on the hard but once it’s been bounced around a bit at sea that circlip or little plastic thingy or the shaped bit that seemed to fit both ways turns out to be more important than you thought.

paintman · 16 February 2021, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonCh

We've all had days like this. I once spent a good half hour fault finding my engine which wouldn't start. I took fuel lines off, blew through the fuel filter, re-primed it all, had spark plugs out before I noticed the kill chord wasn't fitted.

I might have done exactly the same thing......

Maximus · 16 February 2021, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by treerat

Ah bless - not the first, won't be the last

Good news is it's sorted, and you live to play another day.

X2

At least it only put you back 24hrs

Kennyboy · 16 February 2021, 19:30

I fitted a sealed micro switch, not sure if people know about them...

Maximus · 16 February 2021, 19:50

double post

Salty Pete · 17 February 2021, 03:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Do you know how to override / manually operate it all when it turns out that part was more critical than it seemed? I’ve found that sometimes you can make stuff work fine on the hard but once it’s been bounced around a bit at sea that circlip or little plastic thingy or the shaped bit that seemed to fit both ways turns out to be more important than you thought.

Yeah Poly, I can manually override everything on my outboard.
I'm a member of Sea Rescue.

Override instructions: Press button on microphone, scream HELP!!