Ok - A little Pre - Holiday Quiz (Mystery Electrical Part)

[Bergertime]

AS Engine Electrical Experts:

I have been trying to trouble shoot an intermittent engine trim/tilt issue that is electrical in nature on my 1998 OMC/Johnson 225.  It stemmed from my trim not working here and there.  When I started to investigate at the engine I found several sub-standard wire connections which I am fixing properly.  However, I came across this thing (pictured below) which appears to be some sort of inline fuse but I cannot get the bugger open.  I would like to fix the connections on the right side of it but I was wanting to confirm a couple things before I go to work on those crappy things left over from the PO or his shadetree mechanic.  Hope someone can solve this mystery for me...

1) What is this thing and do I need it?

2) I fear that it may be one source of my trim issue as pressure on the left end seems to have a correlation to my trim working at times thus it may be contributing to the intermittent performance.  If it's necessary or prudent to have what would be the replacement since it's sealed and I cannot get it open without fear of damaging it.  Any specs or examples would be appreciated.

PS - Pulled the solenoids, cleaned both male and female connections and added some dielectric grease.  Trim is functioning fine now from engine cowl and helm but need to sea test her to prove.  

http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s63 ... 3057fb.jpg

Please advise,

Bruce

[Capt. Bob]

I don't think you'll find a fuse inside, it has two wires (duh). A connector that allows you to disconnect for repair/replace. You need (I believe) to lift or depress the lever inside the "shield" on the left side of your pic.

May be corroded inside making separation difficult?
Possibly the PO "sealed" the connection?
I take it you didn't add the butt splices and liquid tape?

[seabob4]

Yes, 2-pin plug.  Lift that little tab you see on top of the plug on the left.  Probably won't want to come apart without a little bit of a fight...

In other words, what CB said!!

[John Jones]

Yep.  I would say from the yellow butt splices and liquid tape or black silicone rubber daubed on the connector that someone in the past has already had trouble with the connector and did a mickey mouse fix.  It's possible they sealed the connector with the silicone rubber and the only cure is a pair of wire cutters and some waterproof butt splices.  Those yellow splices need to go anyway.  Your intermittent connection could be in the splices.

[Bergertime]

I was thinking about just taking that ugly thing out of the mix and properly butt splicing the wires together.  However, that would negate the benefit of the connector and it's there for a reason I presume.  Are there other considerations there that I should be aware of?  I am def. new to eletrical work so basic information would be useful beyond what those wires are for and how to properly connect them with a water tight butt-splice.. got that down pat :)

I guess my two next ?s are:

1) Is there a real need for a connection there that allows for the connection and disconnection that would be usefull and/or necessary to assist with routine maintenance or disassembly.  I don't have a lot of wire to play with on the left side so I would hate to permanently connect these to find out that they have to be disconnected yearly to work on or maintain other facets of the motor?

2) If I was going to replace with a new connector what would be the suggested part (this is where I am hoping for guidance).  I am sure it's 12V but is the amperage a consideration on the connector type?

As always!!  Thanks in advance,

Bruce

[Blue Agave]

I'm not aware of any maintentance that would be required for that piece. The only reason for the connector would be to replace the trim switch itself. If the switch did go bad all you would have to do is cut the wires and butt connect the new switch.

[seabob4]

What Nando said...

This is what you want to use in regards to marine electrical connectors...



Adhesive lined heat-shrink terminals.  I get mine from genuinedealz, but Autozone carries a good variety...

[gman 82 aquasport]

I agree with all the above , it looks like the PO may have had a problem with the end of the plug before..Best bet. take the plug out of the equation..use the connectors as seabob4 has shown, good crimpers and a heat gun or hair dryer..if you must add wire to it only use marine wire..just my $.02

[Bergertime]

Thanks all.. I'll remove that thing and use the correct marine butt connectors to re-join the wires.  Such is the fun of buying a used boat... you never know what your gonna find when it comes to this stuff as this isn't the first time I've walked away scratching my head about some of the repairs I discover...  

You should see my power and ground bus bars..  One of my next upgrade projects.  Both the helm and stern need some serious attention.

Tight lines... Smooth seas... And of course Happy Holidays to you all.

Kind Regards,

Bruce

[seabob4]

I agree with all the above , it looks like the PO may have had a problem with the end of the plug before..Best bet. take the plug out of the equation..use the connectors as seabob4 has shown, good crimpers and a heat gun or hair dryer..if you must add wire to it only use marine wire..just my $.02

Absolutely.  And don't go to Worst, they only carry Ancor, and it's pricey, even with price match.  Buy from Greg's Marine wire, excellent product, excellent price, and they ship quick.  They are in PA and I usually get my stuff 2 days later down here.  http://gregsmarinewiresupply.com/Zen/

[seabob4]

I also get my ground buses from genuinedelz.  Blue Seas bus bars, 10 position w/(2) 1/4" studs for the heavier stuff, fully tinned, about $15.  Also a Blue Seas fuse block, use the ATC blocks, not the glass fuse pieces of crap.

[Bergertime]

Bob... Thanks for the pic!  Now it's perfectly clear how much work I have ahead of me.  Still working from project to project as I try to squeeze as much use out of her while the weather still holds here in Tampa.  I am kinda embarrassed to show this but you all might get a "been there" chuckle out of it!

PS - Went out of Ft. Desoto on Sunday... water is cool but the beach was still nice.

Helm:

http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s63 ... c93638.jpg

Stern:

http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s63 ... e1656a.jpg

KR,

B

[Capt. Bob]

Ouch. :o

Those pics hurt my teeth.

What's up with the big red wire on the left of the buss?

[Bergertime]

I know.. kinda a strange huh..  I have not had a chance to dig into the wiring up there but a re-organization and update is planned.  My gut tells me that it's the ground wire to the fuel sending unit.  When I replaced the sender the ground wire was red in color which kinda puzzled me at first but when I installed the new unit using the red wire as the ground it worked perfectly.  Worthy to note.. the red wire was used in the very same capacity with the old sending unit.   It's like peeling back the onion at times with this boat revealing new mysteries all the time..  :bom:

This is a pic of the old sending unit and wiring from the PO.  You can see the red wire attached to one of the mounting bolts.  Looks like the same color and gauge.  The pink runs off the center bolt on that model which goes to the gauge at the panel. The colors are close in the pic.

http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s63 ... fbcbec.jpg


-B

[Capt. Bob]

I know.. kinda a strange huh..  My gut tells me that it's the ground wire to the fuel sending unit.  When I replaced the sender the ground wire was red in color which kinda puzzled me at first but when I installed the new unit using the red wire as the ground it worked perfectly.

Well, lest I ruin my image as a cheap, hypocritical SOB 8) .....

Been there, done that.


That larger gauge tinned wire gets costly and the scrap does nothing sitting in the barn but.......

I did make the effort to wrap some black electrical tape around it.