Interpreting Wire Color Codes In Mercury Harness

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Author Topic:   Interpreting Wire Color Codes In Mercury Harness

bullet posted 02-10-2010 10:48 AM ET (US)
I purchased a new side mount Mercury control box with trim and tilt. I want to install a tachometer on boat. Re the tachometer harness: the control box has the wiring harness that runs to the motor and a shorter harness with a plug and four wires coming out. I know I need a tachometer harness to run from the plug to tachometer. What are the four wires coming out of the harness for? They are green with white stripe, blue with white stripe, red, and tan. Do these four wires have anything to do with the tachometer installation? To wire tachometer, don't I just buy the tachometer harness, plug it in to the existing plug on control box, and wire to tach? The four wires have me confused! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys.
Tom W Clark posted 02-10-2010 10:59 AM ET (US)
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/wireColorCode.html
bullet posted 02-10-2010 12:01 PM ET (US)
Thanks Tom for the color codes.My question is still the same.Do I have to buy a harness for the tach? Why are trim wires coming out of the tach harness on control box? I have trim wires on end of harness at motor.
jimh posted 02-11-2010 12:03 AM ET (US)
The wiring for a tachometer is generally limited to just three conductors:
--12-volt positive for power to the tachometer
--battery negative
--tachometer signal
If the tachometer has an illumination circuit there will be a fourth wire for that circuit. The REFERENCE article documents the usual color codes on the insulation of the conductors for these circuits.
It is hard to say precisely how the various wiring harnesses before you are constructed and how they intended to be interconnected to other harnesses. You should be able to locate and identify the three or four circuits needed for the tachometer. Exactly how you will perform the wiring will be up to you. I suggest that if the cost is not excessive you buy the OEM wiring accessory harness that is appropriate. This will give your installation a professional appearance.
L H G posted 02-18-2010 04:55 PM ET (US)
I'm not real familiar with the Mercury side mount control, but the four wires coming from the engine harness you are describing (3 for power trim and tan for overheat warning horn) generally are connected to leads from the engine control handle where the power trim button is located. I would think those four wires plug into the control box somehwere?
The tachometer harness has a five pin configuration, I believe, and would be a separate accessory to buy.
number9 posted 02-19-2010 01:19 AM ET (US)
From looking at a Mercury rigging manual they make a plug in harness as you say, it's for the tach and other indication/warning.
The wires in question are trim related and not used for most applications. Don't let them confuse you. Cover and stow the wires and carry on.
Bill


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Author	Topic: Interpreting Wire Color Codes In Mercury Harness
bullet	posted 02-10-2010 10:48 AM ET (US) I purchased a new side mount Mercury control box with trim and tilt. I want to install a tachometer on boat. Re the tachometer harness: the control box has the wiring harness that runs to the motor and a shorter harness with a plug and four wires coming out. I know I need a tachometer harness to run from the plug to tachometer. What are the four wires coming out of the harness for? They are green with white stripe, blue with white stripe, red, and tan. Do these four wires have anything to do with the tachometer installation? To wire tachometer, don't I just buy the tachometer harness, plug it in to the existing plug on control box, and wire to tach? The four wires have me confused! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys.
Tom W Clark	posted 02-10-2010 10:59 AM ET (US) http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/wireColorCode.html
bullet	posted 02-10-2010 12:01 PM ET (US) Thanks Tom for the color codes.My question is still the same.Do I have to buy a harness for the tach? Why are trim wires coming out of the tach harness on control box? I have trim wires on end of harness at motor.
jimh	posted 02-11-2010 12:03 AM ET (US) The wiring for a tachometer is generally limited to just three conductors: --12-volt positive for power to the tachometer --battery negative --tachometer signal If the tachometer has an illumination circuit there will be a fourth wire for that circuit. The REFERENCE article documents the usual color codes on the insulation of the conductors for these circuits. It is hard to say precisely how the various wiring harnesses before you are constructed and how they intended to be interconnected to other harnesses. You should be able to locate and identify the three or four circuits needed for the tachometer. Exactly how you will perform the wiring will be up to you. I suggest that if the cost is not excessive you buy the OEM wiring accessory harness that is appropriate. This will give your installation a professional appearance.
L H G	posted 02-18-2010 04:55 PM ET (US) I'm not real familiar with the Mercury side mount control, but the four wires coming from the engine harness you are describing (3 for power trim and tan for overheat warning horn) generally are connected to leads from the engine control handle where the power trim button is located. I would think those four wires plug into the control box somehwere? The tachometer harness has a five pin configuration, I believe, and would be a separate accessory to buy.
number9	posted 02-19-2010 01:19 AM ET (US) From looking at a Mercury rigging manual they make a plug in harness as you say, it's for the tach and other indication/warning. The wires in question are trim related and not used for most applications. Don't let them confuse you. Cover and stow the wires and carry on. Bill