3 ram trim motor question

[Flatlander]

My 3 wire/3 ram trim motor is shorted. The boat is 400 miles from home right now and I am trying to round up a motor so I can repair it the next time I head north. It is an older 3 wire system with a side fill port. Do I need the cartridge stye motor/pump combo? I believe it is Arco #6278 approx 500.00. I found another replacement by DB Electrical for around 150.00. I'm guessing those are Chinese knockoffs. Has anyone had experience with them. I really hate to spend 500 bucks on a motor.
Thanks

[phillnjack]

go for the 150 buck one.
not a chance of needing another 3 motors in the future, so you will be better off.
plus most stuff is chinky now anyway , and that don't seem to matter who says its made in usa or made in the uk etc.



phill

[TEXAS20225]

i use them all the time they are very good

[Flatlander]

Thanks for the help. I was really leaning toward the 150 bucker. Can you confirm that I need the cartridge type pump/motor combo? I do know it is a three wire system, do all the three wire systems use that pump/motor combo? Sorry for the dumb questions, but I haven't ever had to repair one of these.
Thanks Again:D

[Go Time]

There are 2 designs with three wire motors. One reqiures the pump motor combo (early models before 93) and one where the motor and pump are seperate (93-95)...

[Flatlander]

I'm pretty sure mine is a pre 93. It is a motor I put together years ago and used a 2.4 mid and built a ProMax power head. I'm going to give the DB Electrical one a try unless someone on here comes up with a good Merc unit. Thanks!

[perfmarine1]

I have had one of the $150 a customer brought to install and it lasted up and down 1 1/2 times an seized. Had another on some other marina installed for a customer that went bad in 2 weeks. I installed Arco's on them both and haven't heard from either of them. These units are a 2 wire conversion for a 3 wire system made in china with relays. Don't even think about that unit. I will never ever install one again no matter what. You can identify these units by the cheap large plastic fuse holder.

[1BadAction]

I think the arcos aren't all that great either, I usually steal a Merc trim motor off another clamp. You can find clamps for next to nothing all over the place.

and I don't know what it is about the later model 3 ram trims, but the one I have is faster than my regular pump was on 24 volt with the single ram.

[Go Time]

I would remove the old one first and make sure you can use the motor only unit.

[Flatlander]

I would remove the old one first and make sure you can use the motor only unit.

That would be the correct thing to do....but the boat is 400 miles from home and I wanted to be able to fix when I head up north next week for vacation. I know this a crap shoot as far as what motor I need, but I am willing to take a chance at bringing the right one with me. I won't be able to find one up there in a hurry.

[Flatlander]

I'm still hoping someone will come up with one on S&F. There are several guys that have pm'd me and think they have one(MERC brand) and are checking there stash.

[perfmarine1]

I think the arcos aren't all that great either, I usually steal a Merc trim motor off another clamp. You can find clamps for next to nothing all over the place.

and I don't know what it is about the later model 3 ram trims, but the one I have is faster than my regular pump was on 24 volt with the single ram.

I don't think I have ever had a problem with a arco, and have installed plenty. Changing any trim motor is not a easy job,why would you ever install a used one.