Gauges for Eagle Osprey with Mercury outboard - Page 2

Nasher · 17 February 2022, 13:32

A rev counter is really useful, and whatever gauge that age of Merc has for monitoring temp etc.
If it doesn't have a multigauge then Temperature is a must.

Fuel gauges on RIBs are always rubbish, they flap about too much and the sender connections are in a daft place with regard to corrosion etc.

Some like a trim gauge, assuming it's power Trim/Tilt, but I'm a great believer you are better off adjusting that by feel rather than using a gauge.

I don't think you really 'Need' anything else, the rest is for show or just a nice to have.

whiskylee · 17 February 2022, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claytondj

Lee,
I've checked - it is a 4 stroke but 1998 - sorry for confusion.

Are your sure it's a 4 stroke ! Maybe a 4 Cylinder 2 stroke ?

Nasher · 17 February 2022, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiskylee

Are your sure it's a 4 stroke ! Maybe a 4 Cylinder 2 stroke ?

I must admit I was still thinking that.

So did a quick search and found:

With marine-engine environmental regulations looming on the horizon, Mercury Marine broke the low-emissions outboard barrier in 1994 with 9.9hp and 50hp four-stroke models

Mercury Marine continued to develop its own four- stroke technology, applying it across its larger horsepower engines. When the phased-in environmental regulations on marine engines took effect in 1996, Mercury was able to meet the new requirements with a complete four-stroke outboard line, complemented by its first-to-market, low-emissions, direct-injection two-stroke OptiMax technology.

So it would appear Mercury stared making smaller 4 strokes in 1994, then had a full range of 4 strokes by 1996 to sell alongside the 2 stroke Optimax range.

Source - https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/...history/week14

I've learnt something today.

whiskylee · 17 February 2022, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

I must admit I was still thinking that.

So did a quick search and found:

With marine-engine environmental regulations looming on the horizon, Mercury Marine broke the low-emissions outboard barrier in 1994 with 9.9hp and 50hp four-stroke models

Mercury Marine continued to develop its own four- stroke technology, applying it across its larger horsepower engines. When the phased-in environmental regulations on marine engines took effect in 1996, Mercury was able to meet the new requirements with a complete four-stroke outboard line, complemented by its first-to-market, low-emissions, direct-injection two-stroke OptiMax technology.

So it would appear Mercury stared making smaller 4 strokes in 1994, then had a full range of 4 strokes by 1996 to sell alongside the 2 stroke Optimax range.

Source - https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/...history/week14

I've learnt something today.

I can't find any information/photos of a 4 stroke mercury 125 hp from that vintage. I hope I'm proved wrong ! Just wanted the op to be sure what he has

Nos4r2 · 17 February 2022, 15:30

Aaanyway....

I'd want a trim gauge, revcounter and a fuel gauge along with GPS for speed etc, and some form of compass.

In crap weather with a following sea it's useful to have a preset you can look at for trim so you can trim out before you start surfing down the waves. Mostly I find doing it by feel works fine,but there's times it's useful.

beerbelly · 18 February 2022, 05:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiskylee

I can't find any information/photos of a 4 stroke mercury 125 hp from that vintage. I hope I'm proved wrong ! Just wanted the op to be sure what he has

they did a 125 optimax though

Claytondj · 18 February 2022, 07:29

Blimey guys you’ve got me questioning myself now. I’ll have a look at the manual to confirm…..

Claytondj · 18 February 2022, 07:57

Blimey guys you’ve got me questioning myself now. I’ll have a look at the manual to confirm…..

Claytondj · 18 February 2022, 08:06

OK guys - a couple of entries from the Service Manual - do any of these determine whether it is a 4 stroke or 2 stroke?

Cylinder Block: In line 4 cylinder, 2 cycle, loop charged
Timing Firing Order: 1-3-2-4

Dave

Nasher · 18 February 2022, 08:07

2 cycle does mean it's a 2 stroke.

Claytondj · 18 February 2022, 08:07

OK guys - a couple of entries from the Service Manual - do any of these determine whether it is a 4 stroke or 2 stroke?

Cylinder Block: In line 4 cylinder, 2 cycle, loop charged
Timing Firing Order: 1-3-2-4

Serial No: 09991645

Dave

Claytondj · 18 February 2022, 08:08

I agree - but the photos are too large file size to upload

Claytondj · 18 February 2022, 08:15

Well I’ll be darned

paintman · 18 February 2022, 15:01

Good job it was raised.
Could have been very expensive!

Where did you buy it from & is the ad still viewable? I'm a bit surprised this didn't come up during the purchase.

Have a chat with the place that are doing your work - either where it is or the chap doing your service - & see if they can show you around the engine.

FWIW gauge wise I have temp, rev counter, speedometer & trim.
The speedo is of the piton tube variety & its readings aren't accurate compared with GPS.
The trim gauge sender fell to bits years ago & I've not bothered replacing it.

whiskylee · 18 February 2022, 15:45

I keep thinking as I'm answering your questions that pesky pair on the telly ant & Dec are going to pop up behind me and say got ya !!

I hope if this isn't a wind up, the misinformation is on your part and not on the marina mechanic that is working on the rib for you

Claytondj · 20 February 2022, 16:47

Ha ha Lee - defo no Ant & Dec - misinformation is all of my doing not the mechanics.
I had it in my head it was a 4 stroke and also got the age wrong.
It is a 1998 Mercury Mariner 125 hp 2 stroke engine.

Regards,

Dave

Orwell boy · 20 February 2022, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claytondj

Ha ha Lee - defo no Ant & Dec - misinformation is all of my doing not the mechanics.
I had it in my head it was a 4 stroke and also got the age wrong.
It is a 1998 Mercury Mariner 125 hp 2 stroke engine.

Regards,

Dave

You will need to add two stroke oil somewhere

whiskylee · 21 February 2022, 06:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claytondj

Ha ha Lee - defo no Ant & Dec - misinformation is all of my doing not the mechanics.

I had it in my head it was a 4 stroke and also got the age wrong.

It is a 1998 Mercury Mariner 125 hp 2 stroke engine.

Regards,

Dave

Now we have established you have a 2 stroke !!

I would have your mechanic that is replacing all your electrics check your existing tachometer & check the Voltage Regulator/Wiring loom before you buy more gauges

Lots of information about your engine on previous posts in this forum & Videos of your engine on YouTube