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Old 04-15-2019, 02:30 PM   #1
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Mystery switches

I don't have a trawler exactly, a 1977 Uniflite double cabin, but many of the systems are the same. I'm hoping someone can help identify something for me. There are two foot switches on the console that appear to be hooked up to hydraulic lines, although I'm not certain. The could be electrical.



Here's a closeup:



They are stuck so I can't press them. I asked the autopilot manufacturer (benmar) and they aren't from that system. Anyone ever seen any switches like that on their boat?
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Old 04-15-2019, 02:41 PM   #2
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anchor winch?????
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Old 04-15-2019, 02:49 PM   #3
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Greetings,
Mr. sb. Welcome aboard. Yup, winch controls would be my guess as well. IF you don't have access from underneath, take out the 4 philips screws and have a look. Additional pictures may help.
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Old 04-15-2019, 02:58 PM   #4
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Winch is a good idea, but I've traced the wiring of the winch and it's wired directly to a foot switch on deck and no other control wirings.

I thought maybe some kind of trim tabs but the boat doesn't have those either. I'll pull the panel and see what I find and post pictures of the underside if it comes up OK.

This boat has SO many old systems on it that are no longer in use, and most of which no longer work.
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Old 04-15-2019, 04:03 PM   #5
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Truster?

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Old 04-15-2019, 04:08 PM   #6
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No thrusters equipped. I was hoping this was some kind of common boat switch people had seen before that I just wasn't aware of. hmmm
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Old 04-15-2019, 04:19 PM   #7
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Well, are you completely sure that they aren't remote for the windlass? I don't think I have ever seen windlass with deck foot switches only.

Clearly since there are two it must be for something that needs two way control. And thrusters (which you don't have) and windlass are all I can think of.
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Old 04-15-2019, 06:47 PM   #8
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Maybe that's the switch for the sink when you wash your hands and the guys who installed it just screwed up

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Old 04-15-2019, 10:00 PM   #9
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They activate your window wash. Step on them and look out the window. If the water isn’t flowing you have some work to do.
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Old 04-16-2019, 06:28 AM   #10
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These could be wired to the auto pilot as they might be faster at moving the rudder than the wheel steering.


The equal if a modern "jog" lever?
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Old 04-16-2019, 08:47 AM   #11
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Headlight dimmer switch is the fun answer but windlass would make the most sense as something to operate in two directions and be operated while your hands are preoccupied with maneuvering the boat.
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Old 04-16-2019, 09:29 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by menzies View Post
Well, are you completely sure that they aren't remote for the windlass? I don't think I have ever seen windlass with deck foot switches only.

Clearly since there are two it must be for something that needs two way control. And thrusters (which you don't have) and windlass are all I can think of.
All four of my boats (3 GBs and Bluewater 40) only had deck switches.

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Old 04-16-2019, 09:55 AM   #13
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It doesn't seem to me these could be easily used as foot switches for thruster or windless.
I dont see how you could activate the fwd sw w/o the aft?
They at least should be rotated 90* to be useful / selective??
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Old 04-16-2019, 10:37 AM   #14
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Maybe these are for the flashers when you turn port or starboard?

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Old 04-16-2019, 11:05 AM   #15
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Trim tabs?
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Old 04-16-2019, 11:25 AM   #16
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I looked at them in more detail last night and they are not electrical switches. They have hoses hooked up to them and look like plumbing valves. The hoses run in a bundle (all four) up the pass through to the Flybridge. The hoses are about 5/8" in size and have metal fittings on them like hydraulics. Next step is to trace them up at the Flybridge. Autopilot controls are all electrical so it doesn't seem to have to do with that. Maybe some old system that has been removed but the hoses and valves were left in place.
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Old 04-16-2019, 11:28 AM   #17
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They are conversation starters and clearly 100% functional.
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Old 04-16-2019, 11:51 AM   #18
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Air horn switches.
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Old 04-16-2019, 01:02 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tator View Post
All four of my boats (3 GBs and Bluewater 40) only had deck switches.

Tator
I'm still correct - as I have never seen your boats!
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Old 04-16-2019, 01:13 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Air horn switches.
Nice work
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