Engine trim with batteries off?

[family affair]

My old f150's had zero power with batteries off. The new Zukes have been set up to allow for the trim/tilt to work, but all else is off. Is that typical for all engines these days? Aside from someone accidentally hitting a button, is there any issue here?

 

[Halfhitch]

You are just asking for parasitic battery drain and a chance for children to get injured.

 

[SkunkBoat]

no thats not right. The starter cable POS should be on the battery switch for each motor. The trim gets power from that.
When I switch off that, my trim will not work.

Zukes ( at least the AP versions) also have a small Black & White electronics power cable direct to battery

 

[family affair]

Now I'm confused. The dealer says it should be wired that way. He said there is no parasitic drain and it should be set up that way.
What to do?

 

[SkunkBoat]

Do they start with the switches off?

 

[family affair]

Do they start with the switches off?

No. They will not start. Everything on the boat is dead, but the engines trim. I was told the "wake-up" wire is the reason it works because it has to be directly wired to power.
No, I don't know the function of the "wake-up wire."

 

[SkunkBoat]

Hmmmm. I’m not near my boat so I can’t test. But I’m pretty sure I had to climb into the boat to turn on the switches so could tilt my motors to service them

 

[SkunkBoat]

Did you have the key on?

 

[luckydude]

I have a 2020 yamaha and the batteries have to be on to trim the engines. Doesn't matter if the key is off.

Not sure that helps you with your zukes.

 

[family affair]

Did you have the key on?

Key was off and removed from the ignition.

 

[family affair]

no thats not right. The starter cable POS should be on the battery switch for each motor. The trim gets power from that.
When I switch off that, my trim will not work.

Zukes ( at least the AP versions) also have a small Black & White electronics power cable direct to battery

If yours is indeed inoperable with the switch off, can you please take a photo of how your batteries are wired?
Thanks!

 

[SkunkBoat]

Verified as I thought, they do not move with switches off.

"No. They will not start. Everything on the boat is dead, but the engines trim. I was told the "wake-up" wire is the reason it works because it has to be directly wired to power.
No, I don't know the function of the "wake-up wire.""

I can't imagine how the engines could move trim but not start. This is from the helm trim button or the one on the motor or both?

I have the Positive start wire switched. I have the White & Black harness directly to battery.

 

[family affair]

Verified as I thought, they do not move with switches off.

I can't imagine how the engines could move trim but not start. This is from the helm trim button or the one on the motor or both?

I have the Positive start wire switched. I have the White & Black harness directly to battery.

I know for sure it worked at the engines. Can't remember if I tried the helm switch.
I would agree with you that something doesn't seem right.
I'll head out to the garage to check.

 

[family affair]

I was wrong. The fuel pumps are turning on with the ignition key and the batteries off. The power cables are connected directly to each battery.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Can't make heads or tails out of that picture. Oh, I think I see a suzuki cable directly to the battery....

Is that an ON/OFF switch with the red handle?

Do you have two of the typical Guest 1/both/2/off switches?

 

[family affair]

Dealer confirmed "that's how we set up all of them."
Maybe I'm being overly cautious. I trailer, so I like not having to climb in the boat to turn batteries on. On the other hand I would think there could be a serious issue if a switch got stuck.
I need to look at my GW manual to see how the Yamahas were wired.

 

[family affair]

Can't make heads or tails out of that picture. Oh, I think I see a suzuki cable directly to the battery....

Is that an ON/OFF switch with the red handle?

Do you have two of the typical Guest 1/both/2/off switches?

The handle goes to an inverter. I have the standard GW dual battery switches.

 

[SkunkBoat]

so whats on the COM(FEED) lug (the bottom one)? Nothing?

 

[SkunkBoat]

In your picture I can't make out the small White & black for eack motor to its battery. It comes from the harness bundle.

 

[family affair]

If you look at the middle battery you will see a heavy gage black wire with red at the end going to positive. Another line just like it with a shiny black end is on negative. The left battery is the same.