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mercruiser stern drive limiter switch adjust

G

gerald basford

New member
I have just installed my 5.7 engines and upgraded the outdrives too alph 1 gen two outdrives. I'm down to the last details and need to adjust the trim position sensor which seems fairly easy. the trim limiter adjustment seems to be complicated. Any suggestions.Thanks Jerry
 
Weren't the ODs already set when you got them? I believe the total tilt cylinder extended length should be about 22" from bolt to bolt.
 
The trim limit switch is a ( on / off) type of switch in rotary form.

the drive should trim up with the TRIM switch only and stop when the limit switch is opened. The trailer switch (which works all the time when used)

For a basic set up on land, do this,
With the out drive all the way down, remove the trim lmit switch, look closely at the center hex, there is a bump on it, look closely at the shell just outside the hex, there will be another bump (or mark/line) line the two up to each other. Now reinstall the entire switch so that the two screw holes are as cenetered in the slots as possible. lightly tighten the screws so you can still adjust it but it wont move on its own when the drive moves up or down.

This should get you close to where you need to be.

My rule of thumb is the trim rams should extend ~ 3 to 3 1/2 inches from the fully down position. the rams have or should have black paint on them and when fully closed it should be almost to the trim ram cyclinder end cap. When you trim it up and the switch stops the drive the amount of unpainted ram should measure the distance above from the cylinder end cap to the paint..

what this should do is allow for trim up with NO cavitation. If it does cavitate the the distance must be reduced and if it does not cavitate the distance can be increaded (both by adjusting the switch rotationaly clockwise or counterclockwise). this can only be done in the water while testing it under power to see if or where this occurs.
 
guyjg said:
Weren't the ODs already set when you got them? I believe the total tilt cylinder extended length should be about 22" from bolt to bolt.
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Thanks for the reply. You may be right.They could be already set. The problem now is getting my trim motors up and running.I had a big oily mess to discover a cracked oil resvour which I have on order. Maybe I will have a good setting.
 
Thanks for the information.I'm still a liitle fuzzy. Will the lift motor raise the drive unit with just the egnition key on and rotating trim switch by one person outside the boat doing the adjustment.I guess what i'm asking is will the limiter switch make the drive raise untill you reach the limit switch cuts the current. I know I sound thick headed. Your other explination makes sense.Thanks
 
The power trim should run w/the key switch on or off. The OD will only move w/the trim switch being activated as long as the limit switch is not in the off (max. extension) position. IOW, you can turn the limit switch all day and the OD won't move until the trim switch is activated.
 
guyjg said:
The power trim should run w/the key switch on or off. The OD will only move w/the trim switch being activated as long as the limit switch is not in the off (max. extension) position. IOW, you can turn the limit switch all day and the OD won't move until the trim switch is activated.
Click to expand...

You have answered my question. I kinda thought that I would need some help with it. I love this forum. It is great to be able to benifit from this great pool of information. I might just get this rig running inspite of my procastination.
 
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