Forum: WHALER
  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Small Boat Electrical
  TRIM Gauge Reads Inverse

Post New Topic  Post Reply
search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   TRIM Gauge Reads Inverse
motorfixer posted 06-11-2009 01:37 AM ET (US)   Profile for motorfixer   Send Email to motorfixer  
I just aquired [a boat which has a 1994 Johnson 70-HP engine]. When the motor is trimed down the TRIM gauge reads up and vice versa. How do I fix the problem?
jimh posted 06-11-2009 08:55 AM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
There is no simple electrical cure for this problem. The dial calibration of the TRIM gauge is not appropriate to the electrical nature of the trim sender. You probably have to replace the TRIM gauge or the sender so they match. Because the trim sender is more specific to the motor, it will be easier to replace the gauge.

I think there is something of a schism in the outboard motor industry along brand lines for the TRIM gauge function. One brand works in the opposite manner than the other. I suspect that the engine and gauge are not of the same brand or style.

Electrically the problem is this: the gauge measures current flow. The sender has to be arranged so that it controls current flow in the TRIM gauge circuit in a manner what matches the dial calibration of the TRIM gauge.

seahorse posted 06-11-2009 10:02 AM ET (US)     Profile for seahorse  Send Email to seahorse     
Mercs and OMC stern drives work opposite of outboards. Some OMC trim gauges without any UP or Down lettering, can be turned 180° to read correctly.
Tom W Clark posted 06-11-2009 10:56 AM ET (US)     Profile for Tom W Clark  Send Email to Tom W Clark     
The trim sending unit was installed backwards.
jimh posted 06-11-2009 02:04 PM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
If the trim sender unit can be reoriented to operate in the opposite sense of up and down, that would cure your problem. It would be a mechanical cure, not an electrical cure.

Post New Topic  Post Reply
Hop to:


Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.