Duel helm ignition sytem

[tsantoro]

I have keyed ignition switches at both upper and lower helm stations (single engine). I can only shut-off from the switch I started up from. Shouldn't they have been wired so you could start / shut-off from either station regardless of which station you started from? What am I missing?

[rebuckley]

It depends. The ignition switch allows the power to go to the panel, it may be wired so that the "stop" is directly connected to the ignition switch at each station. (this is what it sounds like) so the only "stop" switch that is getting power, will be the one you have "turned on" by using the ignition. you can check easily by testing the stop button with a multi-meter, if ignition is off and you get no volts, and ignition on gives you 12 volts, you know it is connected to the key. If you have 2 keys, you could turn both stations on, and try to start/stop from different stations. You will probably get the low oil pressure alarm going off once you do - as a key will be on, and engine off.

[catalina_mike]

The second station should be in parallel as shown on the factory diagram. So when the ignition is turned on on one it should power the other and the stop should work at either station. Time for a volt meter and beer..