Midnightsun wrote:Qr Bbpost When I first thought this out there were several comments on another forum on how anyone could easily steal the boat. However I thought to my self nobody will figure out how the push buttons work as this is obviously a one of a kind. I also though about putting in a hidden switch which would either kill battery power or ignition to the switch. Nothing fancy or well hidden, in fact you could just use an unused accessory switch as nobody would know this switch activates the ignition circuit. Keys are so passé.
If anyone feels that keys will prevent theft on a boat think again, the circuit is so simple anyone with minimal electrical knowhow can hot wire a boat in minutes. The newer boats and outboards are getting rather complex though.
2 jumper wires and access to the rear of the switch and I will have her started faster than you can pull the keys out of your pocket and use them.
I agree besides I like to do things differently I also have insurance lol
I had push button start on my last boat and thinking of doing this on my 410 as I keep thinking of the fatigue on the key ignitions (I do a lot of starting and stopping in the Trent Severn lock system)
The last boat had a master ignition key switch in the salon that had to be turned on which would engage power for the ignition switched on the helm. Just a little piece of mind.
I had push button start on my last boat and thinking of doing this on my 410 as I keep thinking of the fatigue on the key ignitions (I do a lot of starting and stopping in the Trent Severn lock system)
In reality all the versions, button, toggle and key etc are all switches, subject to wear..there is even an off/on/momentary toggle.....really if you wear out a keyed switch ( think of your car here )...they can be replaced easily and cheaply from napa etc....just a simple off/on/start switch with keys has worked for me, You could install a lockable battery master for that matter.......
There should always be an ignition on/off switch keyed or not, at the helm that is easily accessible in case of emergency. A lot of setups have primary ignition control switches with keys on the electrical panel in the cabin in addition to the on/off switch at the helm. This feeds power to the ignition circuit at the helm. Won't prevent the savy criminal from doing his thing but it's an added deterent, and what we're trying to do is make it as difficult as possible. The longer it takes a thief to steal something, the better the chances of him walking away.
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