Proper control box for '69 500e

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cheburashka

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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May 28, 2005
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715
I just picked up a 1969 500e. It's just the bare motor. I plan to get manuals and rebuild parts, but the first thing I'll be looking for is a control box. I hate to admit it, but I don't even know if this has power trim. Could anyone tell me what kind of control box to look for, and what features should be located on the box?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Steve<br />'61 Glasspar G3 Centerdeck (currently with '58 Evinrude Lark)
 
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Laddies

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Sep 10, 2004
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Re: Proper control box for '69 500e

We really need a serial number to tell if the engine has battery ign. or driver ign. basicly any control box from Merc will work, but if it's not for the right ign. it could burn the ign. system up
 
Chinewalker

Chinewalker

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Aug 19, 2001
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8,902
Re: Proper control box for '69 500e

Chances are that the motor does not have power trim. Could have been added later, but you'd know it if it had it as it is a bulky system with wires, tubes, resevoirs, etc. that are extraneous to the motor.<br /><br />Yep, need the serial to nail it for harness compatibility. Cosmetically correct would be a black box with a red "MerControl" decal on the side.<br />- Scott
 
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cheburashka

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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May 28, 2005
Messages
715
Re: Proper control box for '69 500e

Serial number is 2626372<br />It has a six pin round connector on the side.<br /><br /><br />Ebay doesn't have any with the electrical connector attached, but I'm patient. Can the different systems be identified by the plug connection? In other words, can I minimize the risk of frying something by using the plug that fits the hole, or did Mercury sometimes change the innards and leave the plug the same?
 
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emckelvy

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Jan 16, 2004
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2,506
Re: Proper control box for '69 500e

If the external harness will plug into the motor, it'll work. <br /><br />Doesn't matter if it's a magneto-type ign, CDI or ADI, the harness has the appropriate electrical connections for either. Not all pins are utilized for in the external harness for every motor. The difference is in the internal harness plug for that particular motor.<br /><br />You do have to watch out for the harnesses that run Dockbusters and other Full Gear Shift motors as they have an 'opposite' pattern for the large (+) and (-) connections at the plug. But this type of harness won't plug into a newer motor anyway. Just that if you're looking at one on eBay, be sure you can match the position of the large pins in the plug with the position on your motor's harness. Don't worry about the smaller pins as they will take care of themselves.<br /><br />If you'd like to see a wiring diagram for your motor, which will show all the pin-outs and wire colors, go here:<br /><br /> http://www.maxrules.com/wireindex.html <br /><br />HTH..........ed
 
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cheburashka

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 28, 2005
Messages
715
Re: Proper control box for '69 500e

OK, I see an alternator, a stator and a coil. My boat is currently wired for a '58 Evinrude Lark with a magneto ignition. When the ignition is off, the coils are grounded out. Is the thunderbolt ignition also a magneto ignition? It's hard to read the letters on the wiring diagram, but it looks like in the "off" position of the key, the coils are grounded out and in the "on" position the coil ground is removed and power is applied to peripherals like the choke solenoid. I'm wondering if I can use the Evinrude key switch (push to choke, starter in switch) for the electricals and use a smaller control box that has no electricals.<br /><br />Oh, and thanks for all the help.
 
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