Mercury Outboard 3 Ram Power Trim Differences

[Aaronhl]

So Mercury has the 2 wire power trim and the 3 wire power trim which are both three ram units...

Which one is the order style? Which one is the newer style?

When did Mercury make the change?

Will 80/90/2000s trim units interchange as long as the engine has the correct relays/solenoids?

In addition to the relay/solenoid differences, where the trim unit motors bolts to can be different. Doesn't seem like the motors can interchange on the unit itself because of the difference.

You can get a harness to convert a 3 wire to 2 wire.

Will steering wheel blinker control works with either 2 wire, 3 wire, or the harness to convert 3 wire to 2 wire?

Anything else I should know?

[Aaronhl]

...shocking...

ok?

[Aaronhl]

No 3 ram trim experts out there? I know many run the single rams mostly...

[rgsauger]

My blinker trim works perfectly on my 90 model 2.4 with 2 wire trim. It bumps the triggers on the solenoid so sees almost no current load

[nitro_rat]

3 wire is the older style, the third wire is a ground. There's two sets of windings in the motor (one for up, one for down). This setup used a solenoid arrangement. 2 wire is the newer style, uses relays to reverse polarity of the motor for up and down. The units as a whole can be interchanged on a 3 ram clamp. Either one can be wired with a blinker trim switch. I like to use the 2 wire and late model relay harness. If you're clever it will even tuck up inside a clamshell cowl!

[Aaronhl]

Thanks for the info guys...So to test a 3 wire off the engine I just need to connected black to ground wither blue or green to positive? I tried doing that but the trim motor didn't work, thinking it's not working

[Merc 2.5]

I suck at wiring and testing wiring stuff , but I think u still gotta provide the blue or/and green a hot to test it without the solenoids