Igniton/Kill switch wiring

[Adker]

Can anyone point me in the direction of an online source for ignition switch wiring information?

I have a 68 Pacemaker with twin inboards, and a single, flybridge, helm. I would like to install ER start/kill capability.

I can invision how I think this should be done, but I am certain I am not the first to want this capability, and I am equally sure there is a "standard" method of accomplishing this.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

John

[Donn]

Most of the marine centers sell units that wire directly into the ignition, and come with a lanyard/clip.

Here's one by SeaSense:

http://www.iboats.com/mall/image/vendor/3/big/485.jpg

[Figment]

Mine is a single-engine application, so it's a bit simpler, but I have an ignition circuit switch in the cockpit and another below at the main electrical panel. Like you, my primary reason for this was for someone down below to be able to kill the engine in an emergency (fire) without having to clamber over that fire to get to the cockpit switch.

It couldn't be simpler.... the ignition circuit has the two switches wired in series. Both switches must be closed for the engine to run, but open either of them and the engine dies. I used push-pull switches, with "pull" being "on/closed" so that you can blindly swat the switch open to kill the engine.

The ability to START from both locations might get a bit trickier, I suppose, but I can't speak from experience on that. My only start switch is in the cockpit. If I'm down below and want to start the engine, it's because I'm working on it and I can just jump the solenoid.

[Gary E]

John,

you said...
"I have a 68 Pacemaker with twin inboards, and a single, flybridge, helm. I would like to install ER start/kill capability."

I am going to take a guess here that they are gas engines? and it's not clear, but do you have one helm? and it's on the flybridge? What do you mean by "ER" ? and where would you want a switch to stop the engines other than on the bridge?

Stoping each engine can be done with another switch in series with the each bridge ignition but why?

Starting each engine is a dif situation, will you have the throtle and clutch controls where this other switch will be?

G

[ion barnes]

Look for a Cole-Hersey (I think thats right) marine catalog. They have the 'door bell' style of kill switch with guard. The switch can be placed anywhere in the lead that energizes the ignition coil and when depressed and held down the engine dies. Also called a 'make an break' switch.

[Adker]

All,

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like I am on the right track.

Gary,

Your assumptions are correct. Twin gas 283 Chevys, with a single helm on the flybridge. I would like the ability to start and kill the engines somewhere near the ER (Engine Room). Throttle and tranmission controls are not needed. This desired ability is for maintenance and/or troubleshooting purposes only.

This past summer we had a problem with the starboard choke not closing enough to start the engine. No problem if there was someone else on the boat to hold her closed, but single handing required some ingenuity. I will now always carry a couple of bread ties in the tool box. In the event that this had first happened while I was on the boat alone, having start/kill ability near the engines would have made troubleshooting much easier.

Thanks Again!

John

[Gary E]

John,

I supose you could make a small pannel containing an ignition switch and a starter switch IN THE ENGINE AREA, for use ONLY while the hatch is open.

These could be wired in parallel with the bridge ignition and starter button if you want to start from here without ever going to the bridge, or the ignition switch could be in series with the bridge ignition switch if you want to kill the engine after it was started from the bridge.

If starting from this area with the hatch open, you want to make sure the clutch is in neutral and have your eye on the throttle cable while starting the engine much the same way we used to start a car engine from under the hood.

BUT... I would not do this, your bridge controls are not that far away. Sounds to me as you have a problem that should be fixed, and not attempt to overcome a bad situation with this idea of another set of switches.

G

[Adker]

Gary E,

You bring up a good point. The old girl will start in gear! I've scared myself a few times, luckily with no dammage. I will need to somehow implement neutral safety switches prior to adding the ER switchs.

Thanks,
John