OMC pitot pick-up installation

[psteurer]

For an old boat restoration, I just got an older (maybe 70s or 80s) OEM OMC pitot pick-up for a speedometer. For a newer pitot from places like Teleflex, you would install the pitot on the transom so that the tip is just below the waterline and the thing would pop up if you hit something when running or when trailering the boat This OMC pitot is just the opposite of the newer ones. It well made and is spring loaded but it does not pop up, it pops down. So to use it, I would assume one would pop it down first and then install it. It just does not look right when it is popped down.

The pitot was a new package when I got it but I did not get any directions so I was wondering if someone has experience with these older OMC pitot and how they work. Is there instructions somewhere on these OMC pitots?

 

[wilde1j]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

Install so pickup hole faces forward below the boat bottom.

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Then just connect the tubing from the pitot to the gauge ... done, unless the gauge has internal illumination, then connect grd and switched 12 VDC.

 

[psteurer]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

I understand that part of installing the pick-up hole just below the transom. My question is all pitots have a mechanism to kick-up when you hit something or when trailering the boat. This OMC pitot does not kick-up but kicks down. It is springloaded and it appears you have to set down before you install it. It just does not look right when it is down. Just curious if someone out there with an old OMC pitot knows how to install it.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

It can't 'kick down' ... I've installed a bunch of the molded nylon pitots with the SS spring clip holder ... all pivot aft upon striking an object. Don't recall any branded OMC, but all were pretty much the same, other than some black and some white and slightly different shapes. Maybe you don't have the mounting clip oriented correctly?

 

[psteurer]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

That is my confusion too. The pitot definitely clicks down. I am afraid I will break it if I try to click it up and it does not look like it would go up the way it is made. The part number is 3050182 BRP PITOT TUBE KIT (from boats.net). There is no mounting clip that I can see. It is a one piece unit. I will take a picture of it in the down position and post it tomorrow. It seems the way this thing works is you would click it down and then install it. If the pitot hits something then it would pop up. I just does not look right going straight down.

 

[psteurer]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

Attached are two pictures of my new old stock OMC pitot. My question is how this pitot should be set when running in the water. The picture named "pitot normal" is the way I have always seen them set. If you hit something, then the pitot would pop up to prevent it from breaking. The pitot I have does not pop up though. The picture named "pitot down" is the only way the arm will move and that is down. I am thinking the pitot is suppose to be set down when running. But is sure does not look right this way. Anyone have one of these old pitots or have some old OMC instructions on them?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

I've never seen one that could flip down like that. If it wasn't new I'd have suggested the plastic was worn allowing it to do that. The first attached picture is how you should run it.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

The right hand picture is the normal run position, the left is swung aft after striking an object. Most of the others I've installed just use a ss clip to get the same result. Never seen one where the pitot moves "up" after a strike.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

Gotta disagree with you wild1j....

The left picture is definitely the typical running position. The right picture is some sort of unnatural phenomenon...

Here's another pic of a typical pitot in running position

 

[psteurer]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

The way it came in the package was in the picture I called "normal".

This pitot is very well made and has this very heavy spring inside. When I first got it, I was trying to see if the arm would pop up by bending it. It would not budge. Then by chance I bent the arm down and it went easily (picture I labeled "down"). Maybe it would pop up under a greater force than I am willing to try since I think it would probably break. I agree that the down position does not look right.

This is a BRP part so I am sure there are lots out them there. Maybe it is just a poor design. The back of the package had no instructions unfortunately.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

Maybe it would pop up under a greater force than I am willing to try since I think it would probably break.

Probably. On mine you really gotta crank on it to get it push up. Which makes sense since it drags in the water.

 

[oldrudedude]

Re: OMC pitot pick-up installation

Perhaps this pitot was designed to mount to a different shaped transom/bottom transition. It may require you use a wedge shaped bracket to correct the angle.