1987 Marathon - creative modification to F/R switch??

[mathemagician44]

1987 fully upgraded to 48 volts with new everything from Scotty.
Havent figured reverse out yet. But I noticed that if I manually depress the 1/2 speed microswitch then reverse works just fine at full speed.

Anyway, studying the f/R switch, I see it pretty much just that circle with the four contacts on the back, the circumference has a couple notches to open/close the microswitches depending on knob position, and there is that metal bar that is bolted to the face that is essentially there to not let the knob be rotated beyond forward or reverse.

My run switch is open in forward or reverse, but no where in between. The 1/2 speed switch is open in reverse and closed in forward.

My question is that will I do any harm if I unbolt that metal bar and rotate it 90 degrees such that the run switch stays closed in either position but the half speed switch stays closed in both positions?? That would make both forward and reverse work, only both will be at full speed. Those contactors on the back of the F/R all look to be the same. Pic shows the modification I am talking about.


I understand that this isn't the organic way to do it, but I've got to get this thing wrapped up and move along to so many other projects around the house. I could make a new notch in that plastic circular piece to make sure that the run switch is always open when the knob is in forward or reverse

[mathemagician44]

sorry, pic attached. I got too anxious to get back out and study it before I lost all my sunlight

[yurtle]

Just disconnect the 1/2 speed MS from the controller, and you'll still have the backup beeper, but full speed reverse. Look at a wiring diagram, and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[mathemagician44]

Yes Sir Yurtle!! I simply pulled the wires from the 1/2 speed switch and forward and reverse both work at full speed. Awesome man, thanks.

I guess simply pulling the wires was about 30x easier than modifying the switch.

I assume that I will not burn anything up using full speed reverse right? I don't see how I could, but my understanding, while growing rapidly, is still at a novice level.

[yurtle]

1/2 speed reverse is simply a safety feature, and is not needed. Mine is disabled by programming. Same difference.

[yurtle]

If you disconnected the wires from the switch, you won't have a backup beeper. I disconnected mine at first, but later reconnected, but covered the hole with tape, to make it more tolerable.