Update on project Remote Control
Spoiler: If I had to do it again, I would sell my outboard motor and buy one already configured for remote control rather than try to convert a tiller model like mine.
The whole point of this exercise was to eliminate the need to lean over the transom, especially in choppy water. I choose to use the Tohatsu remote box rather than a generic product. Tohatsu sells a "kit" that consists of all of the gear shift and throttle linkage parts but it unfortunately didn't include the choke solenoid or its related parts. The "kit" leaves the choke operation manually actuated, even though the remote control box has the capability to activate the choke electrically by pushing in the key switch. They also failed to mention that the carburetor is different in that the choke lever on the tiller model is designed to close the choke plate when pulled forward as opposed to being pulled up as it needs to be when activated by a solenoid. This necessitated making some small linkage rods from brass rod stock to reverse the motion as shown in the pictures.
View attachment 163627
A spring had to be added to hold the choke plate open when the choke solenoid is deactivated and another to keep the manual choke throttle advance lever out of the way.
Other than that, the rest went fairly smoothly. The remote box was mounted on the starboard side of the cockpit foot well.
View attachment 163628
A 1 1/4" hole was drilled in the transom to allow the cable to pass through. I used a CV joint boot to cover it.
View attachment 163629
The cables pas through the foot well wall into the rear bunk area, then out through the transom.
View attachment 163630
Motor shown in the operational position, fully lowered:
View attachment 163631
Motor fully raised and tilted up.
View attachment 163632
If anyone is interested in pursuing the same project, it set me back about $700. PM me and I can provide Tohatsu part numbers and more details about modifying the choke linkage.
So far I've only tried it out with the boat on the trailer and the motor in a barrel of water. Launch day is still two weeks away....
Tom G
[/If anyone is interested in pursuing the same project, it set me back about $700. PM me and I can provide Tohatsu part numbers and more details about modifying the choke linkage.]
Hi,
I am in exact same place. Just purchased what i was told from the local Tohatsu rep only to find out that the conversion kit was not going to have all the parts to perfectly convert my EFT 9.8 a3 model.
I would appreciate if you could send me as many details/notes as you can. Im not a mechanic but with little guidance im confident i can complete this project.
Thank you kindly!