1976 Mercury 20 hp charging

[oxocart]

My 76 Merc 20 hp doesn't have electric start. I don't need a starter but would like to be able to charge or partially charge the 12 volt batteries for my 12 volt Minn-Kota.

What parts would I need to add or replace in order to enable this motor to charge?
If this is practical and I end up doing this would I need to have a battery hooked up to it at all times to prevent damage to the generator or alternator circuitry?

Thanks in advance

 

[corm]

Re: 1976 Mercury 20 hp charging

Hi,

Merc use to make a lighting coil kit for the fishing motors but I highly doubt you would be able to find one anymore.

 

[oxocart]

Re: 1976 Mercury 20 hp charging

Thanks for the info. I googled up a Merc lighting coil kit that sold in New Zealand recently. It said that it produced 60 watts which would be 5 amps if my arithmetic is right. It also said that a rectifier and voltage regulator would also be necessary to charge a battery.

 

[corm]

Re: 1976 Mercury 20 hp charging

Hi,

They had a rectifier you could get with the kit but not a voltage regulator.
Merc did not use a regulator until the output went up to around 16 amps.
Even they it is probably not really needed if you watch your battery.

 

[oxocart]

Re: 1976 Mercury 20 hp charging

Thanks again for the details.
I'm thinking of looking into a solar panel as I may at times use my 5hp Honda instead of the Mercury.
I'm fishing a small lake using a WC-14 Lund.