Add Kill Lanyard While Keeping Original Button

[Jogerst]

Hello all,

I have a 1979 Evinrude 15hp tiller. This model does not come with a man overboard kill lanyard, rather a button that you push to stop the motor. For safety reasons I want to add the kill lanyard. I know there is a Sea Dog one that fits this model almost perfectly, and that will likely be the one I buy.

My question is this, how can I wire and install the lanyard while still being able to use the kill button?

I don't want to yank the lanyard every time I shut the motor off. I would still like to press the button for normal shut offs.

Thanks!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Add Kill Lanyard While Keeping Original Button

Hi jogerst. I've retro fitted a push button/lanyard kill switch like the one below on all of my vintage motors. It has both the ability to kill the motor by manually pushing in the button with the lanyard in place and/or by pulling the lanyard free. While you do have remove the stock, black push button kill switch, I think the red replacement button makes a lot more sense for a kill switch anyway. You can find them online at sites like amazon for about $10.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Add Kill Lanyard While Keeping Original Button

You can wire a kill switch in series, you will have to drill a hole in the lower cover to mount the kill switch, then you will have both means to kill the engine.

 

[Jogerst]

Re: Add Kill Lanyard While Keeping Original Button

Thank you for the quick replies!

I am trying to avoid drilling the motor, only because it is one more step I have to do. I was unaware there were lanyard switches with a kill button on them, so thank you! I have an ebay account so I would rather buy from them and I am attaching a link to a lanyard. Does this look like the right one with a button as well as lanyard?

Universal Boat Emergency Kill Switch with Lanyard | eBay

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Add Kill Lanyard While Keeping Original Button

Hi jogerst. That will work fine. You can even use the stock hole from the old button, so you don't need to drill any new holes. Here are some pics of them on my motors. One cool benefit of these switches is that you can beach/dock the boat and take the lanyard with you and no one can start the motor, which adds a nice little layer of security.

 

[Jogerst]

Re: Add Kill Lanyard While Keeping Original Button

Those look really good and I like the extra security as well as the safety. Do you have any pictures or instructions on how to wire the switch? I have a a pull start, so I am assuming a wire to the magneto with a normally open switch?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Add Kill Lanyard While Keeping Original Button

They're super simple to install, actually. There are 2 pairs of posts on the back of the switch. One set is labeled "M" for magneto, and you simply connect the stock kill switch wires to those posts using a couple of small female connectors and that's it. You don't have to cut any wires or holes. The switch itself has a large black, plastic nut and threaded post that you use to hold it in place in the stock location.

 

[Jogerst]

Re: Add Kill Lanyard While Keeping Original Button

That shouldn't be hard at all! Thanks!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Add Kill Lanyard While Keeping Original Button

HI Jog. I'll try to post a close up pic of it later this evening when I get home. If your motor doesn't already have stock kill switch wires, that's ok too. It just takes a couple extra steps to run them under the flywheel to the points, but no big whoop.