BIG fat 50hp?

[lonemust]

I have an old 'rude. I found out it is a '58 50hp (knew it is V-4) My ? is it a starflite or what is a BIG fat 50? And also found a belt driven generator for 'cuase it didn't have one. How do I wire it up and what else do I need to wire it besides the two wires.got them.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

I beleive "Fat Fifty" is a nickname. Starflite is an electric shift and Four Fifty is a mechanical shift. If it's a mechanical shift it will have a shift lever on the starboard side just below the upper engine cover, Starflite will not have the lever.
Do you have the junction box and wiring to the ignition switch?

 

[lonemust]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

It is mechanical shift so like you said four fifty. And i do have a junction box and wiring to ign switch W switch. They didn't come with boat though. I had to find them. They are for an older johnson though. Motor did not have charging system to start with sence it is mag ign. Want to install belt driven charging sys to keep battery charged and to run stereo that i am thinking of installing

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

The generator should have a field and armature connection, as well as a ground. The mechanical regulator should have a Field, Armature, and Battery connection, as well as a ground.

The DC generator only puts out 10 amps max (on a good day), so be careful on what you put on that circuit.

 

[lonemust]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

I'm mainly wanting to charge battery, run the lights, and an am/fm radio for tunes. Maybe a weather radio too. Son and I are joking about taking it Lake Michigan(about 2hrs away to the north) I do have 2 resevoirs within 45 mins of me.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

Depending on how well it starts and how long you want to stay on the water, you may be fine without the charging system. I've run mine without for three years on an old battery given to me from an auto shop. I take the battery out once a month to charge it. I use a stereo as well.
The generators and regulators aren't cheap. I had my generator rebuilt and replaced the regulator for $240 total and that was their cost. The generator belts are no longer available from BRP but various shops that specialize in old parts have used ones. Be prepared to pay $30-$50 for a belt.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

Yep, for the money spent you'd be better off with two batteries...one to crank the fat 50 and another to power accessories. Finding/replacing the old generators is pricey.

 

[lonemust]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

Thanks, I'll keep it in mind. I already have the generater and regulater. Have access to more if needed. Got it wired up over the past weekend. How can I test it to make sure it working right before I put boat on water?

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

I'm sure a shop can bench test it but on your boat you'll have to have it running at 2500 rpm. You shouldn't do that in a test tank, only on the water.

 

[F_R]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

So, it only puts out ten amps, that's true. The average "modern" motor with alternator puts out six amps. True, the alternator will put out a bit at idle speeds, whereas the DC generator has to run about 1500-2000 rpm to start working. A bit above fast idle.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

Don't sweat the generator. You can pull start that fatty quite easily. if you have access to a charger, buy a marien starting/deep cycle battery combo and run whatever accessories you want. if the battery runs down occasionally, pull start it. A full batt charge will last months, if you do not have any other draw on it.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: BIG fat 50hp?

BTW - I used to start my fat Fifty using a two handed snap pull to the chest. it was real easy.

You also need a mechanical voltage regulator to make the generator function.