How to Add a Secondary Starting Switch in the Engine Box

By Mark Elkin, Yorkshire Rose #133

When it comes to engine maintenance, I "single hand" a lot. I find it awkward, to say the least, to climb on the engine to get to the cockpit to fire the glow plugs and/or starter. My solution was simple: add another switch mounted in the engine compartment. I picked up a marine grade SPDT (mom-off-mom) at West Marine. Attached a couple wires (see the diagram) and I was off and running ....... ahem, make that "off and starting".

Note, make sure the switch can handle the amperage for this application. The starter solenoid is easily within the switch capacity. But directly powering the glow plugs would fry switch I used. Fortunately, this toggle switch can handle the Glow Plug Solenoid if that is installed. If not, you can alternately use 2 push button switches, same as up in the cockpit. Finally, make sure you use adequately sized wire: 16 gauge if just using solenoids, 10 gauge for directly powering the glow plugs.