Fresh thoughts on Honda versus Merc

[BillP]

Re: Fresh thoughts on Honda versus Merc

Jason,<br />Low batteries are the problems. People let the rig sit a few months and the batts get low. Then the electronics get confused or whatever. It isn't a small problem on modern outboards if you talk to guys who work on them everyday.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Fresh thoughts on Honda versus Merc

In another words, its not the product, its how it is maintained. Its not hard, keep the batteries on some sort of charging system. People want the product to do a certain thing then whine when it fails due to their lack of taking even basic precautions. Product manufacturers can only do some much when developing a product, after that its on the consumer to take the appropriate measures to ensure it will work properly. If a person is too lazy/cheap to ensure the battery has a proper charge maintained, he needs to not own the boat. Lets place blame where it belongs, on the consumer. There will never be a product that is 100% self reliant, so people need to take care of what they buy.

 

[BillP]

Re: Fresh thoughts on Honda versus Merc

Jason,<br />I should of said low batteries are the main problem. <br /><br />In a perfect world you are right but it's more than just keeping the batteries charged. Talk to a few certified techs on efi electricals and ask them yourself.

 

[DJ]

Re: Fresh thoughts on Honda versus Merc

The same things were said when cars and trucks went EFI. Just because you can't see what's going on does not make it bad (electronics).<br /><br />Would anyone here, honestly, recommend a carbureted car or truck (if you can find one) to someone?<br /><br />I would have some serious issues about letting someone that blasts EFI work on my lawnmower (Briggs) let alone advise me on what kind of engine to buy.

 

[BillP]

Re: Fresh thoughts on Honda versus Merc

"Not seeing whats going on" has nothing to do with anything. There's no debate that efi technology is better than carbs. But anyone believing auto and outboard efi systems have the same reliability hasn't done much research.

 

[DJ]

Re: Fresh thoughts on Honda versus Merc

Why wouldn't they be just as reliable.<br /><br />Every four stroke out there (except Yamaha) is an adaptation of of an auto engine.<br /><br />Just judging by this board, the most four stroke problems reported here are with carbs.

 

[BillP]

Re: Fresh thoughts on Honda versus Merc

Ask that question to guys who work on ob motors everyday...I've already posted what they told me. I worked in the semiconductor mfg industry for 24 yrs. We made chips for Ford and Chrysler by the millions. After seeing how industry works I'd GUESS ob motors are using older technology chips to run their computers while autos use the lastest technology. The ob market is way too small for any semiconductor plant to make dedicated chips for them. It would be way too cost prohibitive. The chip technology in your brand new TV is probably 10 yrs old. The chip in your new microwave is 286 technology from the 80s...etc. Remember the 286 PC?

 

[UpstNYer]

Re: Fresh thoughts on Honda versus Merc

No one has said much about maintaining good electrical connections. The problem is tougher in a boat than in an auto. In a boat there's more moisture around the battery and its connections; and less heat to drive the moisture away. Though things might get wet under the hood of an EFI auto, underhood temperatures tend to dry things out before dissimilar metal corrosion sets in and connection resistance climbs. That heat is totally missing in an outboard's battery installation.<br /><br />Once corrosion starts at a connection, the connection's effective conduction cross-section drops. However, flexing and harness motion(relative to the battery) may restore conduction cross-section intermittantly...with an attendant voltage fluctuation.<br /><br />Agreed, this shouldn't be much of an issue with new/well-maintained equipment. Nor does it explain why multi-batt hookups do better. But it may be an issue down the road when the now-new EFI fleet ages a decade or two.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Fresh thoughts on Honda versus Merc

I would have to assume that the electronics in the obs are at least within a few years of current automotive standards. Honda outboards, since they are marinized automotive engines, are probably the 2nd most current. The new Merc 4 stroke would be all new, since it is not adapted from anything. Either way, all the chips are burned with the info needed for the engine to run, its not like they dusted off some junk that was sitting in the back room. I will always have faith in technology. Carbs are simple and they work, but efi is so much superior that it is worth the trouble to ensure proper voltage and ensure all connections are sealed and maintained.<br /><br />Of course, when a carb goes, you can rebuild it or find a replacement cheap. An efi ecm costs a horrible amount of money. The $1100 I spent for a new ecm for my Jeep is testiment to that. On the brite side, a carbed outboard will still work after an EMP burst, but how many EMP bursts are we likely to have? None of it matters, I have a carbed outboard that is the same age as me, 35 years, and it works.... <br /><br />Yeah, who can forget the 286? You couldn't even install one current program on that thing without filling the pitiful hard drive. Heck, I remember not that long ago when a person thought they were the cats arse if they had a 75 meg pc with a whopping 8 megs of RAM.