Alternator output is insufficient

[Jim@KSC]

I have a 1984 60hp Evinrude (E60TLCRE) on a 14' McKee Craft that I take to Chokoloskee, occasionally, and sometimes stay for 10 days.<br /><br />Between the constant starting and trimming, I have to carry two batteries or return to recharge. The engine hand-cranks easy enough, but I’d rather spend the energy fishing and the extra time sleeping.<br /><br />The manual says I get 4 amps of recharge and I’ve verified close to that with 3.75A @ 3000RPM.<br /><br />I’ve looked at solar and it’s too expensive or too low a rate to help much, plus it may be too fragile on a small boat.<br /><br />Is there a way to bump the output of the alternator?<br /><br />Thanks, in advance.<br /><br />jim@KSC

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Jim,<br /> Maybe the alternator is not the problem.Although 4 amps is not much,it should keep the batteries charged(thats is if they are in good condition and of the correct type for your use).I would consider using Deep cycle marine(wet cell) batteries.These are designed to be drained and will hold a charge much longer than starting batteries.Look for batteries with a high reserve capacity and good CCA(cold-cranking amps)rating.Also,make sure both batteries are fully charged before leaving.

 

[Jim@KSC]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Good advice, Reel Appeal, and I took it several years ago. They still run down.<br /><br />Fishing the flats gives the tilt and trim a lot of work, and that's where most of the charge goes.<br /><br />It's not a serious problem, just a nuisance, but I sure wish someone knew of a better way.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />jim

 

[Jim@KSC]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

^

 

[12Footer]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Reel apeal is right. the charging cicuits on many outboards are notoriously low-rate. Add to this, the charging voltage put out by most stator windings, (sometimes as high as 20volts),and it cooks batteries way before thier time. A common "old salt" is to install a battery switch,and switch the battery off and on the charging cicuit at 20 mins or so of intervals.<br />It has sometimes been known to cook onboard electronics (VHFs Fishfinders and such) with poor internal regulation as well as the battery.<br /><br />I'm afraid not much can be done except to retrofit a regulator of some kind. If your motor has a regulator,check this first,as it is prime suspect. It there should be an increase on an attached DC voltmeter when the engine is running,more than 12VDC,but less than 18VDC Less, and it is inadaquate charging. More, and over volting,which will ruin the battery,literally by boiling it.

 

[Beaux]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Jim-<br />I have a 15' skiff witha 60hp as well. I fish the marsh and have the same high use of the tilt/trim. I am not clear on one thing.... you are trimming the motor up when its running right? Maybe you could tilt motor as far up as possible w/o uncovering h20 inlets with it running, then kill motor and finish tilting it all the way up. That should help to decrease the total of the amps drawn from the battery itself. When you are done fishing that spot, you could also carry a screwdriver and loosen the manual tilt release and lower the motor w/o any power useage. (may be easier than pull starting a 60! )<br />But my deep cell/trolling battery has 120 amp/hrs and I never have to use use my starting battery when the motor is not running. How old are your batteries? The other thing is ... if it is a problem that you run into after a few days of fishing in a row, then a trickle charge at night while sleeping might solve your problem if you have shore power available. Good Luck

 

[Beaux]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

went back over my specs.....mine is a 12 amp charging system....didn't mean to compare apples to oranges! But the other suggestions could work for you.

 

[Sleepy850]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Just a thought and this could be very obvious, but how about running your tilt and trim from an isolated deep-cycle? so as to have plenty of reserve amps and not run down your starting battery.

 

[Jim@KSC]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Thanks, Beau. The older motors (1984) didn't have to accomodate the electronics the way the newer ones do. With the current charging system, 4 amps is it.<br /><br />I don't have the luxury of shore power where we camp, either.<br /><br />Pull starting is much easier than reaching the trim release; it's on the bottom of an aftermarket unit. <br /><br />Fishing Chokoloskee is a tide thing. We start at the Gulf just before low tide, and follow the fish in. Sometimes we're putting in 1' of water to get to the right place, then running for three minutes to do it again.<br /><br />The real problem is that we like to stay out for a week at a time.<br /><br />Sleepy850 - That's sort of what I'm doing, by running one battery until I hear the starter lag, then switching over.<br /><br />Good suggestions, guys, but we haven't hit the mark, yet.<br /><br />Maybe I just live with it.

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Jim,<br /> They also make small wind powered turbines(for charging/electrical,marine use).They are a bit pricey though.See West Marine or NorthernTool.com....

 

[Boatist]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Jim<br />I only see a few options for you.<br />You could charge battery from your two vehicals 100 amp alternator each night.<br />You could buy a small power generator to charge it with.<br />You could buy a Newer motor with bigger alternator or a small trolling motor with a better alternator.<br />I agree the solar not good on the boat but a second battery left in camp may work with sloar.<br />Good Luck and don't chatch them all.

 

[Sleepy850]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

This is a shot that is way out there, but here goes, if someone could fashion a bracket and pulley on the engine for an automotive style alternator, I can think of a few reasons not to, load on the alternator bearings, etc....but I have seen stranger contraptions before, just a thought...

 

[AndyL]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Just a thought but what about getting hold of a small kicker motor. Seems you are not moving huge distances so you could get to where you are going, then use the small one for maneuvering from fish to fish. As your main engine is obviously reliable a cheapo second hand 4hp could give you the peace of mind to focus fully on the important job of fishing.Probably work out as cheap as trying to modify your charging status.

 

[Jim@KSC]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Good suggestions, guys.<br />Wind turbine, new motor and generator are too pricey for twice a year.<br />Kicker would solve it, but that weighs more than a third battery.<br />Sometimes we tend to overload!<br />

<br />Rigging an automotive alternator sounds like a neat project.<br /><br />I was hoping there would be an inexpensive upgrade of the charging system.

 

[AndyL]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Crikey, I thought my family could overload a boat!! <br />Ever heard of a plimsoll line??

 

[Jim@KSC]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

Actually, AndyL, I never had heard of a plimsoll line. Google looked it up and now I know!

 

[sonnie]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

jim,<br /><br />a while ago there was a post regarding fitting automotive alternator to an outboard. the comment, i think frm schematic, at the time was that a notched cog be used. (the type used for cam belts). this was thought to reduce the sideways pull on the crank as the bearing was not designed for this force.<br /><br />the cowl was then also to be modified to fit the alternator.<br /><br />the post was probably round about march 2002 sometime.<br /><br />hope it helps. this is all i remember.<br /><br />sonnie

 

[sonnie]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

so tell us... what is a plimsoll line??

 

[ob]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

In 1870 Samuel Plimsoll established shipping weight guidelines for merchant vessels.He coined the weight recommendations "load line " limits.Vessels that exceeded this load limit were refered to by Plimsoll as coffin ships as many early mariners lost their lives as a direct result of overloaded vessels at sea.<br /> <br /> Hence the term, Plimsoll line.<br /><br /> This has been a daily history brief ,brought to you by iboats outboard forums.

 

[Beaux]

Re: Alternator output is insufficient

LOL!!!! I can just hear the voice that goes with that history lesson! you know, the guy who does all the hx channel stuff.