Oil Pressure Safety Switch questions???

[southcoasting]

OK,
So, have been browsing trying to learn more on things I see on my engine while going through it and looking at it...

I have not started it yet as I bought my boat in August and its been winterized since...

One thing I was looking at is around the oil pressure switch, there is a lot of oil accumulation...I think it's leaking so was thinking of just replacing it and getting the Moyer marine version that sits upright. The one I have is pretty old...

So looking at the one I have, it is located to the right of the fuel pump. So te one currently on there has 3 wires going to it...Well, the positive & negative and then a third connection that is like a line going somewhere...Was not able to track it tonight at it is in an awkward location and hard to get to...

If I get this replacement switch, what do I do with this extra line? It seems the new switch only uses a +/- electrical connection and that's it...

Also, I took a pic of this as I first thought it was the Oil pressure safety switch. If this is not it, what is it? Why does it have only one connection?



I had also noticed there was this black wire running from my cockpit oil pressure gauge to no where...Should this wire go to that other connection on the other switch pictured above? Where should this wire go to (Pictured below)?

[ndutton]

As connected in the picture that does not appear to me to be an oil pressure safety switch, more like a low oil pressure alarm sensor. You mentioned three wires but I only see one wire and an oil tube.

[jpian0923]

Do you have a mechanical fuel pump or electric?

[southcoasting]

Originally Posted by jpian0923

Do you have a mechanical fuel pump or electric?

As far as I know it's electric

[southcoasting]

Originally Posted by ndutton

As connected in the picture that does not appear to me to be an oil pressure safety switch, more like a low oil pressure alarm sensor. You mentioned three wires but I only see one wire and an oil tube.

Ah...On that switch I have pictured, that's the one I ask about that I'm not sure what it is...but your theory on being a low oil pressure alarm makes sense...

The actual oil pressure safety switch that I mention I want to replace is not pictured since it's in an awkward location that I can even take a picture of...and that one is the one that has three connections going to it...

If I can get in there today, I will take a pic so you can see what I mean...I have to take a panel off in order to get better access to it...

[Marian Claire]

Yes. http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1804 The first pic is a OPSS. Just like my old one. Dan S/V Marian Claire

[ndutton]

Southcoasting,
Our typical OPSS has two wires, not three. All it takes is 12V+ in from the ignition circuit and 12V+ out to the electric fuel pump. There is no reason for a ground wire.

[JOHN COOKSON]

Use an ohm meter. A OPSS to the fuel pump will be normal open. An alarm switch will be normal close. The one with three wires may have both functions in the same switch.

TRUE GRIT

[southcoasting]

Originally Posted by ndutton

Southcoasting,
Our typical OPSS has two wires, not three. All it takes is 12V+ in from the ignition circuit and 12V+ out to the electric fuel pump. There is no reason for a ground wire.

So I'm assuming once I get the new OPSS from Moyer, I can find out which one is ground on the existing switch and eliminate with to go with the typical 2 wire connection...