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kill switch / dead mans switch

5K views 30 replies 15 participants last post by  leadslinger 
#1 ·
Looking into what you guys use for a kill switch I've used the chepo plastic ones w/ the wire spring and seems after a short period the cap keeps popping off or it breaks anything out there better pics would be a plus ,ready to buy if someone makes a good one.
 
#7 ·
Haven't nailed down a solution yet, but I was looking into an RFID wireless solution. Like new luxury cars have, where the key is in your pocket and the vehicle wont start unless you're inside the car. Key FOB inside, it starts. Hold it out the window, no start. Figured something like that could be secured directly to a PFD, cutting power when the vest is 3 feet from it's normal seated location.

Just sharing the thought. Lemme know if you guys come across something like that :))THumbsUp
 
#12 ·
I've used the Mercury kill switch in my old Jersey Speed Skiff and my recent jet sprint boat. I think some of the racing classes use them. The local garvey and speed skiff racers use them here in NJ. I would suggest having a spare cap on hand if you do decide to go with that style.
 
#13 ·
#17 ·
Another issue I'm surprised no one has pointed out is those jet ski style lanyards also will never pass tech inspection at any sanctioning body. With that long coiled lanyard you could be completely out of the boat before it kills the motor. NJBA wants the kill switch below you (like on the stringer) and it must be an approved material solid material lanyard. It must be short enough so it kills the motor when your butt rises 18" above the seat. Even if you just use a kill switch in a lake boat, those parameters should be good advice.
When I did the tech inspection for our UMPBA drag races in the Midwest, just about everyone had that long coiled lanyard. They were usually side cowl mounted on the outboards. We came up with a compromise of just zip-tieing the coils so it activated at the shorter 18" length. Just my .02c
Jocko
 
#26 ·
If anyone needs the Mercury kill switches with round caps I have them, battery ign or mag (2 different switches).
 
#27 ·
In 25+ years of racing, I've used the spring-loaded ball kill switch and the Mercury Racing kill switch and have had multiple failures with each of them.
One of them cost me a trophy in the final round at the World Finals. Since then, I have switched to a Trailer Breakaway Switch and have never had a failure with the kill switch since then... I would highly recommend them.
 
#28 ·
A pic for us who always buys the wrong part then has to sell it for half of what I paid for it down the road ,,,,,
 
#31 ·
Ordered a merc kill switch from REX MARINE,Thanks Mike and thanks for all the input on this,,,,
 
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