Tohatsu/Nissan forward controls for Mercury 9.9?

sdnomad · #1 January 16th, 2009, 07:33 PM

I plan on purchasing a new 2009 Mercury 9.9ELPT Bigfoot Prokicker motor. This is the 9.9hp with power tilt and foward controls. From my researching, if you use Mercury forward controls, you have to buy a $75 wiring harness adapter to go from mercury controls to the Mercury 9.9ELPT motor (actually a Tohatsu motor which has a Tohatsu wiring harness connector plug). And you would need to get special throttle/shift cables that have Mercury control box ends on one end and Nissan,Tohatsu,Honda,Suzuki ends on the other. Someone at Mercury wasn't thinking when they designed this motor. Why couldn't I just use a Tohatsu or Nissan Control box for a 2009 Mercury 9.9ELPT? Couldn't I just look for a Tohatsu/Nissan forward control box that has trim, electric start, and choke? That way I wouldn't need to buy wiring adapters and odd ball cables?

P.S. I looked at purchasing a Tohatsu motor, but they do not offer a 9.8 with the bigfoot type crankcase and 9.8 Tohatsu's do not have power tilt.

pvanv · #2 January 17th, 2009, 09:16 AM

The short answer is: Yes, it will work. The Tohatsu control would be the RC5A, which has tilt. Would it be with it? That's up to you. You may still end up with adapter wiring of some sort, or you may end up changing the gender of a couple of bullet connectors at the motor end. Personally, I hate those "umbilical adapter cords". I have also seen similar mickey-mouse setups on some Yamahas of that size range, and I agree with your idea. BUT... I would confirm the color codes and connectors match -- by an actual visual inspection -- before committing to your proposed arrangement.

The Tohatsu control cables for throttle and shift are standard Morse type, with 10-32 RH thread. I can't say for sure about how the cable ends are merchandised on the Merc line, but I know that if you buy a Tohatsu/Nissan, the clevis ends come with the remote kit, and are also available through parts. Not sure whether the Merc control uses a different type of clevis end.

There are two 4-blade high-thrust Solas props offered for the 9.8 by Tohatsu (a 5-pitch and a 7-pitch). I own both, and they work very well on my 9.8 EPL. I have found that there is no need for an exotic gearcase such as the bigfoot LU on these motors.

Since the Tohatsu 9.8 is so light (86 pounds in base model), it's not offered with power tilt/trim. It's well-balanced, and tilts very easily by hand. If the boat can handle the power, and you really want tilt assist, the Tohatsu 25 has gas-assisted tilt. Of course, then you have gone from a 2-cyl. carb kicker motor to a 3-cyl EFI, with the higher price tag, so that may not be appropriate for your setup.

TOHATSU GURU · #3 January 17th, 2009, 10:19 AM

"9.8 Tohatsu's do not have power tilt"

Available very shortly.

sdnomad · #4 January 17th, 2009, 12:17 PM

I understand that the Tohatsu 9.8 does not have power tilt, but the Mercury 9.9ELPT that is made by Tohatsu does have power tilt and forward controls. And the Merc 9.9ELPT has Tohatsu cable and wire connections. That is why I was asking the question if you could use a Tohatsu or Nissan forward control box with the Merc 9.9ELPT and save having to use wiring adapters and odd ball cables.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOHATSU GURU

"9.8 Tohatsu's do not have power tilt"

Available very shortly.

sdnomad · #5 January 17th, 2009, 12:20 PM

Thanks for your reply to my question on Tohatsu controls for a Mercury 9.9elpt. I've had multiple back surgeries and thats why I am looking for a model with power trim. And I will be using it for trolling for walleye and I need the lower gear ratio because when trolling for walleye, you troll at .5 to 1.5 MPH. The Mercury 9.9ELPT best fits the bill for what I need. I wish Tohatsu made the same model.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvanv

The short answer is: Yes, it will work. The Tohatsu control would be the RC5A, which has tilt. Would it be with it? That's up to you. You may still end up with adapter wiring of some sort, or you may end up changing the gender of a couple of bullet connectors at the motor end. Personally, I hate those "umbilical adapter cords". I have also seen similar mickey-mouse setups on some Yamahas of that size range, and I agree with your idea. BUT... I would confirm the color codes and connectors match -- by an actual visual inspection -- before committing to your proposed arrangement.

The Tohatsu control cables for throttle and shift are standard Morse type, with 10-32 RH thread. I can't say for sure about how the cable ends are merchandised on the Merc line, but I know that if you buy a Tohatsu/Nissan, the clevis ends come with the remote kit, and are also available through parts. Not sure whether the Merc control uses a different type of clevis end.

There are two 4-blade high-thrust Solas props offered for the 9.8 by Tohatsu (a 5-pitch and a 7-pitch). I own both, and they work very well on my 9.8 EPL. I have found that there is no need for an exotic gearcase such as the bigfoot LU on these motors.

Since the Tohatsu 9.8 is so light (86 pounds in base model), it's not offered with power tilt/trim. It's well-balanced, and tilts very easily by hand. If the boat can handle the power, and you really want tilt assist, the Tohatsu 25 has gas-assisted tilt. Of course, then you have gone from a 2-cyl. carb kicker motor to a 3-cyl EFI, with the higher price tag, so that may not be appropriate for your setup.

TOHATSU GURU · #6 January 17th, 2009, 12:23 PM

Right....But, Tohatsu is about to release the 9.8 with power tilt. It will probably be available to the public within 60 days. However, they have no plans to release a reduced gearing lower unit model.

TOHATSU GURU · #7 January 17th, 2009, 12:25 PM

And the answer to your question about the control box is no. It has a different wiring harness.

sdnomad · #8 January 17th, 2009, 01:07 PM

The wiring harness connector plug on the 2005 and newer Mercury 9.9 and Tohatsu 9.8 motors are the same plug connection.

Are you saying that although the Mercury 9.9 and the Tohatsu 9.8 has the same wiring harness connector plug on the motor, the wiring would be different?

Why does Mercury make a Mercury to Tohatsu adapter to connect the mercury control to a 2005 or newer mercury 9.9?

http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/2b/67/0420_1.JPG

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOHATSU GURU

And the answer to your question about the control box is no. It has a different wiring harness.

TOHATSU GURU · #9 January 17th, 2009, 03:56 PM

You haven't asked the right question....There are a variety of remote control boxes offered by Tohatsu. But, none of the ones that have power trim have the correct harness for a 9.8. Therefore, the control box you want to use will not work. If you were to get the correct Tohatsu control box it would work, but you would have to add a trim switch to the box....Or you could use the box you want to use and change out the wiring harness and/or neutral safety switch depending on the actual part number of the box. Also, Tohatsu part numbers are 9 to 10 digits long.

pvanv · #10 January 17th, 2009, 07:47 PM

Why tinker with the wiring harness and switches to get around the adapter cable issue? If you can wait 60 days, you can get what you want in a Tohatsu 9.8, control and all, and save some cash.

Be sure to get the High-Thrust prop, so you get the low-speed control you want. As noted, speaking from personal experience with the 9.8, I see no need for different gearing if you have the correct prop. Reducing the prop pitch has the same effect as running a lower (numerically higher) gear ratio. I am running the 9.8 as an aux motor on my sailboat, and top speed at 6,000 rpm WOT is 5 knots; Quite easy for me to motor at 1 knot. Depending on the weight and design of your boat, you can likely use either the 5-inch pitch (3B2W645110M) or the 7-inch pitch (3B2W645120M) prop with very good results.

My 9.8 does not have an external connection plug for the non-tilt RC5C (p/n 3B7Q84350-3) control. The wiring umbilical is routed into the lower cowl and each individual wire connects at the junction block on the powerhead, inside the cowling. I haven't seen the setup for the 9.8 with tilt yet. That may have the external disconnect plug.

sdnomad · #11 January 17th, 2009, 07:57 PM

There are no Tohatsu dealers and no Tohatsu service centers where I live. And from what I've seen, they won't ship a non-tiller Tohatsu (NO EXCEPTIONS). I might have looked into it more if I could get one shipped in, but Tohatsu won't allow it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvanv

Why tinker with the wiring harness and switches to get around the adapter cable issue? If you can wait 60 days, you can get what you want in a Tohatsu 9.8, control and all, and save some cash.

Be sure to get the High-Thrust prop, so you get the low-speed control you want. As noted, speaking from personal experience with the 9.8, I see no need for different gearing if you have the correct prop. Reducing the prop pitch has the same effect as running a lower (numerically higher) gear ratio. I am running the 9.8 as an aux motor on my sailboat, and top speed at 6,000 rpm WOT is 5 knots; Quite easy for me to motor at 1 knot. Depending on the weight and design of your boat, you can likely use either the 5-inch pitch (3B2W645110M) or the 7-inch pitch (3B2W645120M) prop with very good results.

My 9.8 does not have an external connection plug for the non-tilt RC5C (p/n 3B7Q84350-3) control. The wiring umbilical is routed into the lower cowl and each individual wire connects at the junction block on the powerhead, inside the cowling. I haven't seen the setup for the 9.8 with tilt yet. That may have the external disconnect plug.

pvanv · #12 January 18th, 2009, 09:31 AM

What's your location? Are you in the States? You can look up dealers by Zip code at http://www.tohatsu.com/dealersearch/index.html Having a good rapport with a nearby dealer is always a good thing. Considering the price difference between Tohatsu and the other brands, "nearby" is a relative term. People around here drive 30 miles to buy less expensive Reservation gas, for example.

Tohatsu wants the remote motors installed by dealers (only) because they want it done well. Reduces installation errors that could become warranty complaints.

On these smaller motors, the dealer often does the installation very inexpensively, and verifies that both the motor and controls are in proper working order -- and correctly adjusted. This is an extension of the pre-delivery inspection that our dealership does on tiller-steered units.

For example, tank testing alone (which any competent dealer will do), is not enough to verify that the control cables are properly adjusted and lock-nutted in adjustment.

sdnomad · #13 January 21st, 2009, 02:22 PM

My main motor is a Mercury and I would like the kicker to match. And the fact that there is no Tohatsu service nearby, that kinda seals it.

pvanv · #14 January 21st, 2009, 03:26 PM

Understood, and a valid point. Still a significant price penalty to pay for brand loyalty, especially considering that by purchasing the Merc, you will be buying a Tohatsu in Merc clothing, and paying a lot of extra cash for the Merc stickers.

Where are you located?

A dealer may be closer than you think. Since the color of the paint is the same, and the motors and cowlings are too, we have had customers buy the Merc decals to make the motor look like the main motor. Runs about $25.50 US, depending on the model.