Another attempt to wire up the electric start on he 1957 Evinrude Lark

[mgsolakis]

Here is the wiring diagram I have:

http://s222.photobucket.com/user/HighTr … g.jpg.html

I ordered a solenoid, the motor has a starter and choke solenoid. Where is the safety switch that is outlined in the diagram? I am planning on using a pull button start. Does this diagram look right for my motor.

[wedgie]

Sorry about the nasty pic, but see the two rusty domes? Yours will look similar, but probably has only one dome. It can be found in the engine pan at the end of the throttle shaft. It cuts of the spark so you cant start the motor in gear, or at high rpm’s and works in conjunction with the vacuum switch, if I remember it right. Frank or someone will be along to correct me if I am wrong. 😉

[legendre]

All I can offer is this: If you want to bypass the safety switch entirely, simply ground the "BLACK WIRE" that enters it. The starter button works by pulling a line on the solenoid to ground – and that ground is supplied via the safety switch.

If the safety switch is open, it makes the ground go away – so you can’t activate the starter. Short black to ground, and it’s ready to crank anytime – so if that’s the way you go, don’t be a dope.. 😉

[chris-p]

That diagram is NOT correct. That is a conversion diagram for a 1956 6 volt model, to run on 12volts.

[frankr]

As Chris said, that is a conversion diagram. In fact, I drew it. Nevertheless, it will work for what you are trying to do. Yes, the safety switch is on the horizontal throttle gear and tilts back and forth as you work the throttle. And yes, if you simply ground the wire it will work, but without the SAFETY function. It will be possible to start it in gear and with a wide open throttle and run over something or somebody.

[mgsolakis]

I found another diagram in an old service manual I have but it includes a generator and regulator. For someone who found wiring a bilge pump a challenge this looks daunting. Here’s what confuses me about the diagram Frank has put together. It shows the positive going from the starter to the solenoid to the battery. But should the wiring harness not go to the battery? So what wire goes to the solenoid? Also the diagram shows a choke switch, I don’t have one right now-do I need one to use the auto choke? My starter is a pull button with two wires going back to the motor from the front of the boat.

[Mumbles]

Is this the one?

[mgsolakis]

It looks something like that. I don’t have a generator so I’m just looking for the simplest way to do this. I’d prefer to use the safety switch if I can just as a precaution but I would never be stupid enough to start the boat in gear.

[wedgie]

quote mgsolakis:

It looks something like that. I don’t have a generator so I’m just looking for the simplest way to do this. I’d prefer to use the safety switch if I can just as a precaution but I would never be stupid enough to start the boat in gear.

You might not be stupid enough, but there are many, including me, who are. All it takes is a moment of inattention, or a distraction that makes you forget to flip it back into neutral.

[fleetwin]

Frank
Can these older mercury switch engines be easily converted to the later style that uses the single safety switch that rides against the mag plate?

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