kill switch installation

[jrhopkins]

i have a 1975 Johnson 150 and i want to wire in a kill switch. i got a 'universal' switch but no instructions as to how to wire it. was wondering if anyone could tell me what i have to do to wire it in or put me on to a site with some diagram instructions. marine service wants $200 to do it and that seems a little steep for just running some wires and installing a switch, maybe not?

thanks

 

[jtexas]

Re: kill switch installation

$200? hey, marina mechanics have boat payments, too.

Take the control box off the gunwale (probably two bolts holding it on) and lay it down on the seat. Open the control box (four philips head screws). When you separate the two halves there are parts in both halves, but don't worry, nothing is spring loaded to jump out at ya, just exercise a little caution.

I'd disconnect the battery for this -- it's a chance you might accidently short across the keyswitch.

There's a black wire w/yellow tracer connected to the keyswitch. Connect that wire to one post of your kill switch. Connect the other kill switch post to any good ground. close the control box and reattach it to the boat. Drill a hole and install the switch at the helm where the lanyard won't get tangled up -- I put mine on the gunnel next to the drivers seat.

you're done. Easiest $200 you ever made!

If you don't have the original OMC control box, you'll have to figure out how to access the keyswitch on your own.

don't forget to reconnect the battery.

p.s., you might should drill the hole and position the switch first, then hook up the wires......

 

[jrhopkins]

Re: kill switch installation

$200? hey, marina mechanics have boat payments, too.

Take the control box off the gunwale (probably two bolts holding it on) and lay it down on the seat. Open the control box (four philips head screws). When you separate the two halves there are parts in both halves, but don't worry, nothing is spring loaded to jump out at ya, just exercise a little caution.

I'd disconnect the battery for this -- it's a chance you might accidently short across the keyswitch.

There's a black wire w/yellow tracer connected to the keyswitch. Connect that wire to one post of your kill switch. Connect the other kill switch post to any good ground. close the control box and reattach it to the boat. Drill a hole and install the switch at the helm where the lanyard won't get tangled up -- I put mine on the gunnel next to the drivers seat.

you're done. Easiest $200 you ever made!

If you don't have the original OMC control box, you'll have to figure out how to access the keyswitch on your own.

don't forget to reconnect the battery.

p.s., you might should drill the hole and position the switch first, then hook up the wires......

thanks, i assume the black/yellow wire is a ground and the switch in that position grounds the motor killing it.
do i remove that wire from the switch completly or just add a jumper wire from that post to the kill switch?

 

[jtexas]

Re: kill switch installation

yup, black/yellow is the "kill" wire coming off the power pack, when grounded it short-circuits the ignition.

use a ring terminal to add your kill switch wire to that keyswitch post. basically the kill switch is in parallel with the keyswitch.

Once (long time ago) I actually opened the wiring harness & spliced the switch into the kill wire -- it worked fine but I wouldn't do it again -- that's just an open invitation for corrosion.