Mine have the same delay and that's as per the manual. I just figured it was
the "Mercruiser way", circa 1989.

My understanding is that it is the test circuit that has the delay built in.
I *assume* that the alarm would go off right away during a fault with the
engine running.

"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
The warning horns on my last three boats would go on only after the
ignition switch was on (engine not started) for 20-45 seconds or so.
Not right away.

Hmmm. If you lost all oil pressure, would it take 20-45 seconds for suich
a
system to sound off? I think you'd be stopped dead in the water by or
about
then.