New Owner with Dumb Question

[Airclnr]

The wife and I just bought a new to us 2008 302 with twin Mercs and we haven't been able to play with it yet while we wait for the new lift. Are both keys the same with a twin engine boat?

Thanks in advance.

[tgrace98]

They should be, Cobalt only uses 4 different key combo's. If you look at your key you should see an A, B, C, or D on it.

[Southerncomfort]

The ignition keys are the same.

of course you need a different key for every dang compartment on the boat.

[cmattj]

Actually a good question as you would not want to force turning the switch assuming the key was correct.
Both our keys are the same on the 282.

[Ytmsn]

Okay, I've never owned a twin. Dated one once but that's a different story...

So Matt, with twins you start the motors separately with two keys? I always assumed the starters would be tied into the same power supply and fire at the same time with one key?

[tgrace98]

Okay, I've never owned a twin. Dated one once but that's a different story...

So Matt, with twins you start the motors separately with two keys? I always assumed the starters would be tied into the same power supply and fire at the same time with one key?

yep one key per motor. In case of an engine failure you can still limp around with 1 motor.

[cmattj]

Okay, I've never owned a twin. Dated one once but that's a different story...

So Matt, with twins you start the motors separately with two keys? I always assumed the starters would be tied into the same power supply and fire at the same time with one key?

Considering there is 2 Cobalts back there it requires two separate sources .( 2 perko switches). I pick switch 1 battery 2. Then pick switch 2 battery 1. Or any combo of the 2.

Only when one or both perkos are switched to “all” would they share both batteries, and both engines would be 12v connected. But only by a 12v source.
The only shared items where both engines see each other is in a “ synchronization gauge “ on the dash , and ours has DTS controls so they match each other in rpm when running above 2000 rpm.

Starting.

If you had “ auto crank” as we do on current vehicles ( one quick turn or push the engine cranks until ecm detects system run) then maybe you could do a slick 1 switch does both. But if one engine fails to start... then your off and on with the switch until both engines fire simultaneously. ( no 2 engines start the same it apears).
I loce firing the first engine with the CC on as we all like the sudden Hello it gives us. Then firing the second engine with CC on gets better!

Okay, I've never owned a twin. Dated one once but that's a different story...

Okay your turn on the twins

[Ytmsn]

Well then... I guess when I bump up to a 282 a twin Big Blocks I'm going to have to keep up with another key. Great...

[akorcovelos]

You always want to fire one engine at a time, and be sure to alternate which one you fire first so you get a chance to hear each run alone. It will let you hear if there is any unwanted noises coming from an engine. With both firing at the same time a lot of subtle problem noises are lost.

[Southerncomfort]

Okay, I've never owned a twin. Dated one once but that's a different story...

So Matt, with twins you start the motors separately with two keys? I always assumed the starters would be tied into the same power supply and fire at the same time with one key?

Considering there is 2 Cobalts back there it requires two separate sources .( 2 perko switches). I pick switch 1 battery 2. Then pick switch 2 battery 1. Or any combo of the 2.

Only when one or both perkos are switched to “all” would they share both batteries, and both engines would be 12v connected. But only by a 12v source.
The only shared items where both engines see each other is in a “ synchronization gauge “ on the dash , and ours has DTS controls so they match each other in rpm when running above 2000 rpm.

Starting.

If you had “ auto crank” as we do on current vehicles ( one quick turn or push the engine cranks until ecm detects system run) then maybe you could do a slick 1 switch does both. But if one engine fails to start... then your off and on with the switch until both engines fire simultaneously. ( no 2 engines start the same it apears).
I loce firing the first engine with the CC on as we all like the sudden Hello it gives us. Then firing the second engine with CC on gets better!

Okay, I've never owned a twin. Dated one once but that's a different story...

Okay your turn on the twins

Yep, that is the 10 year old in me coming out; nothing better than starting up the first engine with CC on. Every goes dang that is loud then turn the second one on just to reinforce that this is really loud.

Even better under the metal covered dock. I think people in the next marina know when the boat is coming out. Of course never would do it before 10am on the weekend, I am not uncivilized.

Oh and I think the twins were my wife of telling me this is the closest you will ever get to twins...

[Airclnr]

Thanks for the replies. We bought the boat three weeks ago and had to leave it at the dealer until our new slip and lift are installed. The wait is killing me! Two more weeks and I'll be able to enjoy her!

[liquid]

Okay, I've never owned a twin. Dated one once but that's a different story...

So Matt, with twins you start the motors separately with two keys? I always assumed the starters would be tied into the same power supply and fire at the same time with one key?

Considering there is 2 Cobalts back there it requires two separate sources .( 2 perko switches). I pick switch 1 battery 2. Then pick switch 2 battery 1. Or any combo of the 2.

Only when one or both perkos are switched to “all” would they share both batteries, and both engines would be 12v connected. But only by a 12v source.
The only shared items where both engines see each other is in a “ synchronization gauge “ on the dash , and ours has DTS controls so they match each other in rpm when running above 2000 rpm.

Starting.

If you had “ auto crank” as we do on current vehicles ( one quick turn or push the engine cranks until ecm detects system run) then maybe you could do a slick 1 switch does both. But if one engine fails to start... then your off and on with the switch until both engines fire simultaneously. ( no 2 engines start the same it apears).
I loce firing the first engine with the CC on as we all like the sudden Hello it gives us. Then firing the second engine with CC on gets better!

Okay, I've never owned a twin. Dated one once but that's a different story...

Okay your turn on the twins

Beat me to it!

Thx for splaining. This makes sense to me now.

now - YT, story time!

[Ytmsn]

Okay, I've never owned a twin. Dated one once but that's a different story...

So Matt, with twins you start the motors separately with two keys? I always assumed the starters would be tied into the same power supply and fire at the same time with one key?

Considering there is 2 Cobalts back there it requires two separate sources .( 2 perko switches). I pick switch 1 battery 2. Then pick switch 2 battery 1. Or any combo of the 2.

Only when one or both perkos are switched to “all” would they share both batteries, and both engines would be 12v connected. But only by a 12v source.
The only shared items where both engines see each other is in a “ synchronization gauge “ on the dash , and ours has DTS controls so they match each other in rpm when running above 2000 rpm.

Starting.

If you had “ auto crank” as we do on current vehicles ( one quick turn or push the engine cranks until ecm detects system run) then maybe you could do a slick 1 switch does both. But if one engine fails to start... then your off and on with the switch until both engines fire simultaneously. ( no 2 engines start the same it apears).
I loce firing the first engine with the CC on as we all like the sudden Hello it gives us. Then firing the second engine with CC on gets better!

Okay, I've never owned a twin. Dated one once but that's a different story...

Okay your turn on the twins

Beat me to it!

Thx for splaining. This makes sense to me now.

now - YT, story time!

Sorry Liquid, I never kiss and tell. Unless it's with BB.