laynard safety switch

[spartanpele]

This is a follow up thread to the spark plugs and solenoid thread...<br /><br />Last night I started working on the electrical again. I started by taking off and cleaning the different electrical components (battery, solenoid, starter switch, laynard safety switch, shifting neutral switch.)<br /><br />When I came to the laynard safety switch, I noticed something odd...or at least it seems odd to me. I completely removed the switch, and tested the switch using a multimeter. The switch has two outside flanges and two inside flanges. When hooked up to the two outside flanges, the circuit was closed without the cup attached. When the button was depressed, the switch still showed a closed circuit... hmmm.. Then I tested the inside flanges. When the cup wasn't attached, the circuit was open. When the button was depressed, the circuit was closed... hmmm<br /><br />I'm assuming that the circuit s/b open unless the cup is attached, right? So I attached the wires back to the inside flanges and gave the motor a test in a tub. The engine wouldn't start. <br /><br />* So I removed the cup (allowing the botton to spring back up) and the engine started!? <br /><br />So I simply left the rope/cup/laynard off and the engine would start and stop with the igniton switch every time.<br /><br />So what gives? Is the laynard switch bad, or do I have it hooked up wrong? Right now I'm leaning towards not fooling with it and simply leaving it alone without the laynard attached. Can I do that legally? <br /><br />The only thing I can think of is that the switch is bad, either that or its supposed to be opposite meaning that when the cup is attached, the engine isn't grounded out, but when its detached it automatically completes the circuit grounding out the engine. Does that sound right?<br /><br />btw: The engine itself sounded pretty good, but I still need to install the exhaust tube seal when the parts come in.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[pipestone guy]

Re: laynard safety switch

i would say its hooked up wrong. try the other contacts (flanges) and try it. Does it start with the saftey sw wires unhooked? Otherwise if it works like it is, leave it off. Dont know if that is illegal. Ask your local Conservation Officer.

 

[spartanpele]

Re: laynard safety switch

Based on the multimeter tests...if I use the other flanges...it won't matter whether the cup is attached or not..it shouldn't start. <br /><br />Right now, the wires are attached to the switch, but the cup isn't attached, and it starts. When the cup was attached, it wouldn't start. <br /><br />I'm thinking of leaving it as is (wires attached and no cup attached), and if I need to kill the engine, I simply press in the button. <br /><br />I'm trying to track down the Wisc DNR rules about it to find out if its legal.

 

[middleton1]

Re: laynard safety switch

I have a Force 50 that will not run without the lanyard attached. However, I just purchased last year a new boat with an Envinrude 4-stroke that the safety switch will kill the motor if it is pulled out while running, BUT will allow the engine to be started and run if it is not attached. They pass this off as a safety measure so you could get back to shore if the lanyard is lost, but I think it is more of a way for folks who don't want to use the lanyard to get away without using it.<br /><br />Run it and pull the switch out to see if it kills the engine.

 

[spartanpele]

Re: laynard safety switch

Middleton: right now the button is out and its the only way to start the engine. When the button is depressed (laynard attached), the engine will turn over but won't start.<br /><br />I guess the real question is this:<br /><br />Q: Is the kill switch supposed to be an open circuit with the laynard (cup) attached?<br /><br />Or, is the kill switch supposed to be a closed circuit with the laynard attached?<br /><br />My original thought was that this switch was like most switches...the button is sprung out (no laynard attached)..so the circuit s/b open, and when the button is pressed in (with the laynard attached), the circuit would be closed. <br /><br />But if the whole circuit is a way to ground out the engine, perhaps its the other way around.<br /><br />Any expert electrical people want to set the record straight?

 

[spartanpele]

Re: laynard safety switch

I just read my states boating regulations (pdf). Theres nothing in there about having a laynard attached. It merely says that the boat must be in proper working condition. <br /><br />So I could probably leave it as is and use it (I can still kill it by pressing the button if its necessary, beyond turning the igniton key off.)

 

[chuckz]

Re: laynard safety switch

The switch is open in the run position and closed in the kill position. This means the switch is closed without the lanyard and open with the lanyard attached.<br /><br />Replace the switch, it's a safety issue.

 

[spartanpele]

Re: laynard safety switch

Thanks for the info, Chuck.

 

[heyq]

Re: laynard safety switch

Hello!<br /><br /> It looks like the switch is wired wrong. Did you initially unwired the switch or was it like that before you read it out with the meter? On the other hand as Chuck states; it is a SAFETY ISSUE and it is better be safe than sorry!!

 

[monkeyboi]

Re: laynard safety switch

as i understand the "kill switch grounds the ignition preventing spark. when the lanyard is attached, the switch should be electrically open. when the other end of the cord is attached to the driver and something bad happens (fall in boat/overboard) the lanyard pulls out closing the ignition circuit to ground and killing the engine.<br /><br />it's similar in operation to the steel arm mounted above the spark plug on small gas engines on older equipment-push the tab down onto the top of the plug, grounding the ignition.<br /><br />lanyard is of course a safety device and while pushing in the button will kill the engine, you can't do that falling overboard or back out of control

 

[spartanpele]

Re: laynard safety switch

I replaced the switch last night back to specs.<br /><br />Its now onto replacing the exhaust tube seal... (lots of disassembly involved...I hope I remember where everything goes...)