Electrical load capacity

[4runneradam]

I have a 85hp Force 1985. Brand new stator. I was wondering what the charging output amperage is? I was wanting to install some small speakers and a small amp so I can hear my music over the outboard. The amp probably pulls 10-20 amps as the most. It's just a small 2 channel 65w amp. I was also looking at adding a cig lighter on the dash to power some small accessories as well.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Electrical load capacity

That stator is not like an auto alternator. It only puts out around 7-10 amps. Only enough the keep the starting battery topped up and a very little more. So, even with the engine running, the amp will eventually run down the battery. The good news is that the engine has a dedicated circuit for ignition. Even with a completely dead battery, it will continue to run. Turn it off though and you may need to rope start it.

 

[4runneradam]

Re: Electrical load capacity

Hmm...interesting.

So do you think it would be safe to run a small amp? What if I kept an eye on the volt meter (which I plan to install) and make sure I shut the stereo down if it drops below 12v, and allow the motor to charge the battery back up?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Electrical load capacity

Just get an mp3 player with wireless headphones.

Keeps the lake a little quieter for the rest of us.

 

[bcbaylinerboy]

Re: Electrical load capacity

according to my seloc manual the 1984-1989 85hp puts out 1.0Amps @1000rpm and 7.0 Amps @3500rpm
You do the Math...maybe what you need is a seperate Battery to run your amp..and recharge it when you get home.
I had an amp in my boat..(120hp).and eventually blew my stator..so i ripped the amp out!

 

[4runneradam]

Re: Electrical load capacity

Oh. I don't want that. Thanks! I'll just stick with the head unit for now.

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Electrical load capacity

FYI, I Installed a Sony CD head and a 300W amp w/ subwoofer last month. Carefully measured the current (average, not peak) after install at the loudest volume just prior to discernible distortion. Average current stayed between 5 and 7 amps, peaking at 10, but not very often. As long as you are not trying to 'Boom' your neighbors to death with your stereo, i believe the stator will handle it. Just in case, I bring along an extra battery and run the stereo from it most of the time. A 60 amp hour deep discharge battery will handle my stereo just fine all day, and then i can recharge it at night when i get home. That way, i can leave the stereo on when beached, and not worry about when i need to start the motor back up later.

I have a neighbor who put in, in his very nice boat, a stereo that was more expensive than my entire boat! You know the type... 8 speakers, 2 subwoofers, 5 amplifiers, etc. He doesn't understand why his battery won't hold a charge when running around with the stereo cranking all day, and he's got an I/O V8 with a 60A alternator, lol.

One word of caution: My stereo (when off, which turns amp off also) still draws 2.5 A, way more than you want if the boat is gonna sit for a couple of weeks. Either tie the switched power wire of the stereo to an Aux switch on your boat and turn the switch off when not in use; or i found that just removing the faceplate drops the current to only several milliamps. Not bad at all.

Good luck!