Engine Stop Cable

artboas · Sep 2, 2013

Electric

Errol A Sonnier said:
My engine kill cable finally froze up. I have attempted to replace without any luck yet i.e. to long, too short etc. would like to know if any H-38 owners hade/have the same problem. Thinking about an electric 12V kill also. Your thoughts!!!

EA

By far a better solution.
Check with Yanmar for a retrofit.
Impervious to salt, unlike cable

rfrye1 · Sep 2, 2013

Electronic kill switch?? I make sure our kill cable gets lubed every year.

Tell me more about the electronic switch.

artboas · Sep 2, 2013

Simple

rfrye1 said:
Electronic kill switch?? I make sure our kill cable gets lubed every year.

Tell me more about the electronic switch.

It's just a 12v solenoid that pulls the stop lever. It is connected to a push button on the engine panel .
Frankly, its easier to install this than a pull cable. Extremely reliable

artboas · Sep 2, 2013

About $50 -$75

artboas said:
It's just a 12v solenoid that pulls the stop lever. It is connected to a push button on the engine panel .
Frankly, its easier to install this than a pull cable. Extremely reliable

Just checked on ebay.
Various models.
Just search for "Yanmar stop solenoid"

Dan Johnson · Sep 3, 2013

Errol...

The stop cable froze on my H34 a couple of years ago. In all probability your problem is at the control panel end like mine.

I got it unfrozen by repeated applications of WD-40 to the shaft behind the knob, and giggling the pull knob in and out each time to work it down the shaft of the panel end. Eventually it began to work loose until it was completely free.

Disconnecting the stop lever end at the engine makes it easier to move the cable more then normal. Just don't pull it so far out that the stop lever end gets hung up in the cable sheath.

PGIJon · Sep 4, 2013

Purchased a new one from the Yanmar dealer after mine froze.

artboas · Sep 4, 2013

Why replace the cable?

Errol A Sonnier said:
Thanks for the Reply.

The day I surveyed the vessel she had a frozen Kill switch. I freed it using WD 40 and have kept it that way for 11 years. Now the Cable is frozen and won't come free. I removed it and am looking for a replacement.

Just use the electric stop. Easier & cheaper.

Benny17441 · Sep 4, 2013

Yanmar carries just two length sizes to fit most size and makes of sailboats. If you need to use the longer one just make sure you loop or give some extra bends to take up the excess. Trying to shop around for a cable that would best fit your boat is just an unnecesary hasle. Another option might be to relocate the cable stop within the cabin to keep it away from the elements in which case the shorter cable may do. You ask abou converting to an electric stop solenoid and my opinion is that I would stick with whatever the boat came with. The cable is simpler, does the job well and should last at least 10 years.

wufibugs · Sep 4, 2013

Is there something special about this cable? When I was looking to replace mine [eventually just moved it for a more direct run and shortened it accordingly] I looked at stainless choke cables. Seems like both the outer sheathing and inner cable can be cut to size.

Saillife · Sep 5, 2013

Nothing special that I know of. I just replaced miine. I used a yanmar cable, they are not expensive.

Paul Cossman · Sep 12, 2013

I used a Teflon coated Teleflex "cable" on my Passage 42 when I replaced my engine stop cable. The Yanmar cables (of my 1991 vintage) were made of woven strands, and the "push" part of the push-pull just ended up mashing the cable interior. The Teleflex is a single strand solid stainless-steel wire inside the sheath, and the push-pull doesn't cause the cable to mushroom. You can cut it to length. I'm now going on 15 years since the replacement and it slides like new. Never had to lubricate it.

Puesta del sol · Jan 1, 2014

Paul

Where did you get the cable for the passage? I have a 91 and would like he cable to love easier. When you replaced yours did you replace the sleeve as well as the cable? If so how hard was it to fish the new cable?

Thanks

Paul Cossman · Jan 1, 2014

Puesta del sol said:
Paul

Where did you get the cable for the passage? I have a 91 and would like he cable to love easier. When you replaced yours did you replace the sleeve as well as the cable? If so how hard was it to fish the new cable?

Thanks

Sorry, but it's been so long ago I can't remember where I got it. Most likely at some marine engine supply shop, like Bosun's Locker or something. I did install a new sleeve, as it's all one unit: both cable and sleeve. As I recall it wasn't too hard to fish it through--just a short job. Good luck

Mark48 · Jan 2, 2014

This could start a debate, but I find that PB Blaster is more effective in freeing frozen cables and other rusted components. Just my two cents.

Benny17441 · Jan 2, 2014

Nothing wrong with too long in the operation of stop cable. The best preventive to avoid a frozen cable is frequent use.

charliegrau · Jan 6, 2014

I ordered a replacement from torreson marine...there were two lenghts, I needed the longer one. fit perfectly and mounted easily on the bracket in the cockpit. I had previously tried a generic cable and had problems. now life is good and it wasn't that expensive..around 50-60bucks. pulling the cable through wasn't hard...just be sure an attach twine to the old cable at the engine end so when you pull it out, you can use the twine to pull the new cable back through.

wufibugs · Jan 6, 2014

Having already moved my cable pull off the instrument panel and from port to starboard where the run is shorter and more direct, not sure I'd go electric unless the conversion were cheap and easy. I did the recommended ebay search but what I saw are replacements for existing electric kill switches. Did anyone make the conversion and if so, which unit did you use?