updating to a kill switch

[JSGOLD]

Sometime in the next couple of weeks I am going to rewire my old 76' starcraft and want to add a motor kill switch. I bought one from iboats but am unsure what to hook it up too, since my 55hp (also a 76') Evinrude never had this from the factory. I do have a service manual for the motor, but was hoping someone else had done this and could offer some assistance. I am guessing a single wire but which one?

 

[fireman57]

Re: updating to a kill switch

disconnect the black with yellow stripe wire from your ignition and run it to a post on your lanyard. Then run another wire from the other post back to the ignition post.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: updating to a kill switch

disconnect the black with yellow stripe wire from your ignition and run it to a post on your lanyard. Then run another wire from the other post back to the ignition post.

I don't think a series connection would work. If the ignition was on and the lanyard was pulled, then the motor would still be on, since the kill wire would not be grounded (????). I wire mine in parallel (yellow-black to both ignition and kill switch; ground to other side of both) so that either the ignition or the kill switch will ground the yellow-blackwire.

 

[fireman57]

Re: updating to a kill switch

That would work too. The instructions on the generic lanyards say to do it the way I said, but I see what you mean.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: updating to a kill switch

Thanks guys...I will check this out further when I get back. We are preparing for a fishing tournament being held Saturday, and are busy cutting grass (while we have some sunshine) and packing, as well as minor boat checks and fixes. We are looking at MORE rain, about 5-6 days worth in a row now so will be interesting on the lake. I probably will need some clarification on the wiring but that points me in the right direction. Be back Sunday, hopefully not too wet and some cash in hand....

 

[eavega]

Re: updating to a kill switch

The correct wiring for the killswitch is one side to the black/yellow wire on the M (Magneto) terminal on the key switch, the other side to common ground, like tx1961whaler says.

Rgds

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: updating to a kill switch

This may sound stupid...are you meaning to splice the lanyard wire into the blk/yellow wire and the other to a battery ground (don't cut the wire, just tie into it..)....or, cut the yw/blk wire in two and run it to the lanyard and then battery ground?

 

[eavega]

Re: updating to a kill switch

When I installed mine (two months ago) I wired the kill switch right to the key switch terminal where the yellow/black wire connected (the 'M' terminal). The ground I wired to the common ground bus I have at the console. I am always leery of cutting and splicing wires, especially when I didn't put them there in the first place.

Rgds

Eric

 

[fireman57]

Re: updating to a kill switch

eavega I think he is wanting to put in a dead man switch that kills the engine if he should go overboard not hook up his ignition. I like your last post idea. Most guys don't use a common bus though. I do and it simplifies everything.