Charging Question for the new guy

[jammasterj]

Do typical outboards have their own charging system? I have a 150hp Evinrude outboard and was wondering, does it have an alternator of some kind that constantly charges the cranking battery as Im going? Or is there no charging system at all?

 

[Kevin W]

Re: Charging Question for the new guy

A rule of thumb is if it has an electric start it has a charging system.
There not overly powerful on some but enought to top off a few quick starts.

They will not recharge trolling batteries unless you drive all night but for most cases they will recover a starting battery.

 

[jammasterj]

Re: Charging Question for the new guy

Thanks, I was just curious to the fact. I would like to know that my starting battery is being maintained as Im cruising around the river. Is there a way to test the current coming from the motor. As of now my starting battery has two cables coming off the positive terminal. One is the larger red cable that powers the starter, the other Im not quite sure, it's much smaller. Does the alternator feed current back through the larger cable?

 

[Kevin W]

Re: Charging Question for the new guy

The large cables do it all.
There is ways to test it.
If you have or have access to a DVM (digital volt meter) you can see if it is charging with that.
A charged starting battery will have a reading of 12.4 V w/o the engine running and no loads on it.
with the engine running for several minutes it should have a higher voltage than the initial 12.4 at slightly above idle 1000-1500rpm (don't over rev it in neutral) at operating speed 2500-5K it should be at least 14V most likely more.
Since you are a new guy i will also say this do not ever disconnect the battery while running or run the engine without water for the water pump.

Disconnecting the battery while running will blow the rectifier and it won't charge again until fixed.
Running without water will trash the water pump in under a minute.