starter system

[DOUBOY80]

80 140hp mercruiser 181 cu. in. the starter has three poles on it where a normal automotive has two. what is the 3rd pole that has a R by it. I know the battery main power and ignition but don't understand why they have a thired pole that has battery voltage when key on. anybody have an idea. thanks

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: starter system

Check the voltage on this terminal.<br />'R' usually would be the feed to ign coil if it is only live when key is in 'Run and Start' positions. <br /><br />12 volts + would likely be a switched battery supply to an external resistor then to coil,<br />6 - 8 volts would indicate an internal resistor in the solenoid then straight to a coil suitable to use with a resistor ign.<br />If this terminal only has power when the key is in the start position then that would connect directly to B+ term on ign coil bypassing the resistor for ign boost at cranking.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Peter

 

[rodbolt]

Re: starter system

hello<br /> the solinoid performs two functions on some models. the s terminal engages the starter when the key is in the start position. when the starter engages it tries to drain the power from other components most namely the ign coil on a point actuated ign system. the R function supplies 12 positive to the positive coil primary for cranking purposes only. hence the R for resistor Bypass. that is why some times it will start and die when the key is released to the run position> keep that in mind for any trouble shooting.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[DOUBOY80]

Re: starter system

ok well im not sure what the post on the starter has as far as power. i was meaning that the wire coming to the starter has battery voltage. if that wire is not hooked up will that cause problems on starting

 

[Bondo]

Re: starter system

I see where You're Headed........<br />Don't Do It........<br />Don't put an Automotive Starter on your boat.....<br />It's Not Spark-Protected.... You're Building a BOMB ......<br />

if that wire is not hooked up will that cause problems on starting

Yes......<br />If the boat doesn't Blow-Up First.....

 

[DOUBOY80]

Re: starter system

bondo what do you mean by its not spark protected what makes the marine starter protected?

 

[Bondo]

Re: starter system

There is Internal shielding in a Marine Starter....<br />None in an Automotive starter.....<br />A boat bilge is a Potentially Explosive Environment......<br />No Place for Any Automotive Accessories......<br />All Electrical,+ Fuel related componets Must be Marine Rated.......

 

[rodbolt]

Re: starter system

hello<br /> good save Bondo.<br /> I did not even think about he was going to try the automotive trick. its similar but is not rated for ign protected. by ign protected it does not mean protecting the ign system, it means it wont become a source of ignition.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[Bhamil]

Re: starter system

Yes, good job Bondo and Rodbolt, you might have saved this guy's and a boatload of friends lives. More than one boat has burned to the waterline because of that mistake. The bilge fumes are waiting to explode and there sits the fuel tank...The center pin of the three on the solenoid goes to the battery for 12VDC when the ignition key is turned on. the inboard connector is the ignition return wire that applies the 12VDC to the solenoid to close it. That goes away when the key is returned to "run" popsition. The outboard connector goes to the coil and is probably purple. The center pin also has a red wire that goes to the starter assist solenoid, then is jumpered to the engine trim (tilt up and down) solenoids. They are always hot so you can tilt the engine when it's out of the water or what ever. No matter though, do not use an automotive component for your boat, ever, please. Get a marine starter matched to the one that came from your boat and return all wires to their original positions. The results of using non-marine parts can be catastrophic, and that mistake has been written about in many obituaries.