Mr. Fairdeal - Fell Marine question

[pstephens46]

Morning!

I believe you have a Fell Marine wireless kill switch installed on your boat. How difficult and time consuming to install?

[fairdeal]

Hello pstephens!

Yes, I was an 'early adopter' of the Fell, installing in Sept 2016
and then last year,
I replaced it with the current "Gen 2" model
which supports multiple fobs.

Installation is trivial;
you'll need a 2 1/16" holesaw,
and be able to make a few crimped electrical connections.

In my case,
I had an open spot on the console
that on the back side,
was inches away from both the existing Yamaha killswitch
and my + and - bus bars.

I didn't even have to extend the Fell leads,
just added the appropriate crimps;
two wires with bullets to match the Yamaha kill switch,
power, and ground.

(I used 'house' power, so the unit is on with the main battery switch)

Your current kill switch has bullet connectors,
one white wire, one black wire.

I disconnected the Yamaha switch, and plugged in the Fell leads instead.
But one could crimp up two "Y" connectors from short lengths of wire
to connect the Fell 'in parallel" to let the Yamaha kill switch work also.

I'm thoroughly pleased with the unit.

[oldmako69]

Thanks for this. I am in the market.

[fairdeal]

Thanks for this. I am in the market.

twin engines are just a bit more complicated;

in order to shut both down with the Fell -
but,
not lose the ability to be able to run one engine at a time,
there needs to be a relay between the Fell and the 4 Yamaha wires
(black and white for each engine)

Fell sells a relay, separately from the basic package,
for that purpose.

[oldmako69]

I was doing some reading this AM and came across that. I'm better with wrenches than I am with a soldering iron and VM. Think this is DIY for someone like me?

[pstephens46]

Thanks Fairdeal!

[pstephens46]

Thanks for this. I am in the market.

You still flying the big birds?

[oldmako69]

No. Took early retirement. Decent deal, not great. But overall I'm happy with the decision.

Fairdeal, how far can you get from the helm without tripping the circuit? I read of a guy today who had a 32' boat and could not go back to the transom without killing the engines. That would be an issue for me while fishing.

[fairdeal]

I have never had any issue with 'range' of the unit on my 23' CC.

Several times I've started the engine at the dock,
(I wear the fob on the wristband)
and wanted something from my storage room under the house
which is concrete block walls, steel door,
about 20' from the boat.

Once I've gone inside that room, the Fell will trip.

I've never tested how far away it will hold
if I go ashore while still maintaining line-of-sight -
at least 50' I think.

But if I go in the water with the fob on,
its immediate.

As for the electrical install,
its absolutely DIY;
just a routine power & ground connection,
and as the photo above shows
the Yamaha connections are a no brainer.

[99yam40]

so water sets it off maybe?
sounds like you have done this

[oldmako69]

This unit is an idea whose time has come.

I've had mechanical kill switches on my last three boats and never used any of them. 30 years ago I had a Mako 17 with no more freeboard than a jon boat. I came VERY close to getting pitched out of it late one night in winter. I wouldn't have lasted 15 mins in that water. Of course, that boat didn't even have a mechanical kill switch! But my new boat has electric steering (which I do not trust) and an autopilot that just dares me to move away from the helm. But it's absolutely a fantastic tool when T R O L L-ing and working the lines. I use it.

Adding this is a no-brainer.


**Fairdeal,

So I need the switch, the additional twin-engine harness, and one or more wristbands. Is that correct? Does the unit come with a single transponder (xFob) or is that extra?

[fairdeal]

So I need the switch, the additional twin-engine harness, and one or more wristbands. Is that correct? Does the unit come with a single transponder (xFob) or is that extra?

The basic package is the "base unit" and one "fob" - that's all.

You could simply put the fob in your pocket -
but separately,
they sell a neck lanyard fob holder - $25
and a 'bracelet' fob holder - $20.
I use the bracelet.

And you can buy additional fobs separately - $40
the unit can monitor up to four simultaneously.

I only have the one fob -
if one of my passengers falls out - I think I'll notice.

Oh, and they also sell an optional extension antenna -
(the base pack comes with a little 6" whip
that simply screws into the back)

Your acquaintance with the big boat,
for $11 could add a remote antenna on a cable
that gets it out of the inside of the console.
That could make a huge difference in range.

[oldmako69]

Perfect. Thank you. Just as I thought. I read about the antenna but figured it could wait. Even at the transom, I'm not more than 10 feet. Can't fathom that will affect its operation.

I'll go with the bracelet, or perhaps hang it around my neck with the lanyard. Mw wrists will likely get wet landing fish, reaching into the livewell, etc. Hopefully, I can access the backside of the panel without too much difficulty. I'll mount the unit immediately ahead and above the Yam ignition set up. It ought to be less than a foot total.

My boat has Optimist electric steering. I've read that when one unit fails at speed (and that engine suddenly bangs to the stop in response to torque steer) that guys have come close to getting ejected. I love the ocean, absolutely love it. I love to jump off the boat when offshore. But getting pitched off with the boat while hauling ass seems like an inconvenient and unpleasant way to meet my maker. AP on or off, if the boat remains in gear I am of the opinion that there is absolutely NO WAY you're getting back on it unless your mates turn it around. I'll be installing this gizmo this spring.

[99yam40]

that makes me wonder how your mates will be able to turn it around and come pick you up if the motors have been stopped by the kill switch.
does it have a way to reset and start back up if the fob is in the water away from the boat?
and will everyone on the boat know how to work it?

[oldmako69]

I can't speak to specifics but yes, there is a quick start function. I figure that it will be up to me to ensure that I brief someone on the boat on how to get it back to me.