Can I get my outboard to charge?

[DennisRB]

I have an older 8hp Tohatsu 2 stroke. Not sure on the year model. Is there any thing I can hook up to get it to charge a 12V battery?

It looks a bit like this one but older.

[marshmat]

I'm not sure about your particular engine.... a few small rope-start outboards have a small coil in there to give a couple of amps for nav lights. If yours has one, there'll probably be a reference in the owner's manual to a "lighting coil" or similar. But on a non-electric-start engine, I've never seen one that's powerful enough to charge a battery; they're usually just meant to power a nav light.

[DennisRB]

Cheers. Will a pic under the cowl help? Even an amp or 2 will be better than nothing in an emergency. The motor is on a trailer sailer which gets sets out from port for up to a few weeks at a time so any extra power is worth getting.

[CatBuilder]

May I suggest a very small solar panel instead? They have little ones that will put out more than the motor and do it all day long, even when sailing, keeping your battery topped off. Probably even easier than wiring into the motor.

They also make them flexible so you could stick it to the cabin top.

[DennisRB]

Cheers. I have worked on, and installed solar systems before and might get one for this boat. However if there is power to be had from my outboard it would be almost free and take about 30 minutes. Any extra power is good. Even if its just a bit for emergencies.

[hoytedow]

http://www.tohatsu.com/accessories/repair_kits.html

3B2-06123-1 Alternator Kit (12V 80W) M8/9.8B (2-Stroke)

3B2-76400-3
Electric Starter Kit (w/Flywheel)
M8/9.8B (2-Stroke)

[pistnbroke]

dennis high again ....if its got a 12v lighting coil ( not 6v) then all you need is a bridge rectifier from dick smith ....few dollars ...two wires in and two out to the battery job done

[hoytedow]

If model shown doesn't have a light, will the lighting coil be there?

[pistnbroke]

comment above does not make sense ..smaller motors often have a lighting coil which remains unused ..if thats your case dennis put a 12v 10w bulb on it and see if it glows full brightness ..if it does its 12v
On the bridge rectifier the lighting coil goes to the ac inputs and the battery to the + and -.......get a big one then heat sinking it will not be neccessary..this one is rated at 35 A way over spec + is front left - is back right ac is the other two

[DennisRB]

Cheers guys. I have a few big bridge rectifiers laying around which I can use. I will have to check the motor when I go to the boat next to see if I can locate a lighting coil.

That 80W alt coil looks the goods too. However I only payed $300 for the outboard and its pretty well nearing its used by date. I guess that setup would cost close to what I payed for the motor.

[hoytedow]

Originally Posted by pistnbroke

comment above does not make sense ..smaller motors often have a lighting coil which remains unused ..if thats your case dennis put a 12v 10w bulb on it and see if it glows full brightness ..if it does its 12v
On the bridge rectifier the lighting coil goes to the ac inputs and the battery to the + and -.......get a big one then heat sinking it will not be neccessary..this one is rated at 35 A way over spec + is front left - is back right ac is the other two

Hey, I like the platypus artwork on the 20 cent piece.

The previous question I meant: Would the motor have a lighting coil if it didn't have a light? Sorry for any misunderstanding.

[pistnbroke]

Still dont make sense ...outboard motors dont have lights...???? but in the smaller sizes some have lighting coils the output wires from which are just left hanging in the loom unused and unconnected unless required for lights on the boat .....

[hoytedow]

Actually, some outboard motors have been built with the stern light built into the engine cowling. The Chrysler 15 hp had one back in the 1970's.

[pistnbroke]

I bow to your greater knowledge...will keep my eye out for one ..always something to learn .

[hoytedow]

Only the electric start models had it, as I remember.