Re: 1977 Evinrude 115 Tilt Trim Wiring question
No such thing as a stupid question, only a question not asked. Thats why this forum is so great, so we can all learn from one another, I know i have learned alot from the great guys on here. There are 2 different types of trim motor set ups, 2 wire and 3 wire, and are very different. The 2 wire set up uses 2 solenoids that you spoke of, 1 for up and 1 for down. The 3 wire motor has 1 solenoid like in the pic provided, and it only controls the up function only. Then there are other variations of these, such as a 3 wire with dual solenoid, but that is getting off topic. The trim motor is usually a DC motor and it's direction is controlled by the direction of current flowing through it. Run it through one way and you go up, reverse it and you go down.
Two solenoids, very close to, if not exactly the same thing that starts your outboard and your automobile, are used to supply the current in the opposite directions.
Both are magnetically controlled "contactors".....very high current switches. When you put a small current through the control windings, it energizes the solenoid coil which pulls in the high current contacts.
When this happens, it is abrupt and you can normally hear and feel it (with your hand on the body). It may be silent, but usually not. If anything, silence would be an indication of friction in the circuit (inside the thing) not allowing the contactor to move freely.
If you would like examples of other set ups, 2 wire, 3 wire dual solenoid, etc... private me with your email address and I can send them to you, they are too large to post on here.
