Shifter cables for Mercury and Mariner outboard engines
Shift cables are part of the mechanical engine control of an outboard engine. They connect the remote control at the helm to the gear shift on the engine. When the shift lever is moved, the cable transmits this movement directly to the shift mechanism of the gearbox. This makes it possible to change between forward gear, neutral and reverse gear.
On many boats, the control system works with two separate cables:
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Shift cable - controls gear selection (forward / neutral / reverse)
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Throttle cable - controls the engine speed via the throttle valve
Both cables are connected to the remote control and transmit the lever movement mechanically to the engine.
Gen-1 and Gen-2 Mercury control cables
Mercury uses two different types of control cable:
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Gen-1 control cable - for older Mercury remote controls
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Gen-2 control cable - for newer control boxes with adapted connections
The cable types have different designs and are not compatible with each other. The selection depends on the remote control used.
Selecting the right switching cable
Several factors are decisive when selecting a replacement cable:
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Type of remote control
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Cable generation (Gen-1 or Gen-2)
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Cable length
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Mercury part number
Control cables are available in different lengths so that they can be laid correctly depending on the type of boat and installation position.
