How to add a kill switch to 1983 85HP Force

[Benz Mondi]

New to boating and my first post...

How do I add a kill switch to my motor?
What type/model to buy?
Where?
How to install?
Where on my instrument panel should I mount it?
Tips on wiring?

(Because of this site, I've already added the Tell-Tail. Works like a champ though getting the plug off of the head was a PITA- needed impact driver and torch.)

Thanks for the help,

Al
1983 Bayliner Capri 160 Bowrider
Folsom, CA

 

[MostlyHrmlss]

Re: How to add a kill switch to 1983 85HP Force

Mine has an ignition key/switch that you push in for choke (like this). Your motor is killed by grounding the white wire to the CDI boxes, so at the key switch you would put the white wire on one of the M terminals and a ground to the other, red +12V to B, the green choke wire to C, and the hot line to your overheat alarm on A.

 

[Benz Mondi]

Re: How to add a kill switch to 1983 85HP Force

Thanks for the repy MostlyHrmlss.

I was hoping to get info on one of those lanyard kill switches, in case I get dumped over board while fishing alone.

For that matter, I'll be at the bow most of the time under trolling motor power. I wonder if anyone has rigged a lanyard switch to kill a trolling motor?

Al

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: How to add a kill switch to 1983 85HP Force

You buy a normally open kill switch or a universal one and use the open terminals. Parallel the white wire to one terminal from the ignition switch and connect the other terminal to ground. When the switch closes due to the lanyard being pulled, the white goes to ground, just like on the ignition switch, killing the engine.

Most kill switches are mounted on or near the control handle so the lanyard can be worn around your wrist yet you still have arm movement. The lanyard can be attached to your PFD or anywhere secure on your person so that if you violently leave the boat, the switch is tripped.

 

[MostlyHrmlss]

Re: How to add a kill switch to 1983 85HP Force

To rig the electric motor for lanyard kill, you'd have to make the lanyard switch operate a high-power relay sitting between the battery and the motor. I've seen 100A continuous duty relays for RVs, I figure there's probably a marine version.

BTW, don't a lot of trolling motors already have a lanyard?

 

[jason32038]

Re: How to add a kill switch to 1983 85HP Force

Don't know about kill switches on electric motors.

 

[Benz Mondi]

Re: How to add a kill switch to 1983 85HP Force

Thanks for the info everyone. Seems like I have what I need to try to tackle the install over the weekend.

My Motorguide electric trollintg motor with gator mount (craigslist) didn't come with a lanyard.

I'll report back on the install when I'm done.

Al