mercury switch

clifweb

Recruit
Joined
Mar 28, 2013
Messages
4
I have a 1959 35hp evinrude lark and I'm wondering what is the purpose of the mercury switch, I see a diagram that refers to it as a safety switch. Thanks clifweb
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
Re: mercury switch

I believe the 1959 had the dual mercury switch, right? One section keeps you from running the electric starter at high throttle settings, and the other section disables the vacuum cut-out switch at high throttle settings.

"Safety"----yes, if you were to start it in gear, at fast throttle, it would take off and run over the dock......or somebody. That would be a tad unsafe.
 

HighTrim

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
10,486
Re: mercury switch

I can remember last summer happening upon a family in a boat floating around the lake. The father was desperately trying to start his motor. I believe it was a 58 Lark. He was getting nothing from the key.

Floated around the rear of his boat, and from mine gave the mercury switch a tap with my finger towards horizontal. Motor fired right up.

The kids started yelling that I was a magician, and for the rest of the summer called me the wizard. LOL kids are funny.

I thought the name was cool, my wife thought I was an idiot. She wouldnt call me the wizard.

I have seen starter solenoids replaced needlessly due to the owner thinking it was shot, when in fact the mercury switch was simply bent off horizontal or faulty.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
Re: mercury switch

Yeah, I'd like to own stock in the solenoid factory. Most of them are replaced needlessly. And when they do replace them, they use a car solenoid, which will instantly burn the wire off the mercury switch. Maybe I should buy stock in the switch factory too?
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: mercury switch

I sometimes wonder if anybody knows how to check out a solenoid. All it takes is a couple of jumper wires, a 12 volt battery and an ohmmeter. You can do this on or off the mtr.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,030
Re: mercury switch

How could Ole Evinrude have installed a Mercury switch on an Evinrude. It doesn't seem right, somehow.
 
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