Kill Switch

[Svend]

has anyone added a remote Kill Switch to a TOJAN F30 1977 dual engine setup or similar dual engine trojan cabin cruiser? Thanks!

[Big D]

I assume you're talking about an anti-theft device and not a safety tethered kill switch?

[Svend]

I am thinking of a tethered safety type kill switch...
Instead of turning engines off, it would be nice to have it just drop both throttles to zero instantly...

thanks!

[Big D]

Just a couple of toggle switches hooked into the ignition run circuits would do it. Some Trojan models had this feature. Turning the keys does the same thing though

[Flyboy]

I really do not understand why you would want this. As Big D says, my 10 meter has ignition toggle switches that have to be ON for the boat to start, but I do not turn the boat off with them, I use the keys. What would be the point of the Kill Switches.

[Big D]

I suspect that after a while, you'll find this a bit of a pain. It's much easier to simply turn the key (leave key in ignition) than it is to insert the kill switch clip. If you kill the engines by pulling the clips then putting them back so they're ready for the next start, you must remember to turn the ignition keys to the off position or you'll burn out your coils. Seems like extra steps and things to remember. I'd just keep it simple.

Keep a spare set of clips on board because they do wear and will eventually not work, then you're stuck. There are a lot of boats that have these for safety reasons and they never get used. That is to say that the tether is always left hooked up and never removed. This is also yet another set of contacts to corrode.

If you're going this route, ensure you get the right kind for your ignition system. If I recall, there are two different kinds out there; one is normally open, and the other normally closed. There are several different switches/clips so you'll need to record which brand of switch you buy in case you need more clips in the future as some are not interchangeable. As mentioned above, carry a spare set of clips at all times.

[El L Sea]

I think just like Flyboy, mine does not have keys at all. Just 2 unmarked toggles in the breaker panel, and rockers on the bridge for ignition. So I guess they would qualify as "kill switches". If you didn't know where they were or what they were, you could never start the boat.