Quick question about batteries!

[LakeMurraySailor]

You guys are pretty sharp, so I need your input! I bought an old Pearson 30(1973 model) with an inoperable Atomic 4. I installed an outboard motor-mount on the stern and I bought a Tohatsu 9.8(I know it destroys the look), but as my Dad always told me "po' folks have po' ways")! At least I'm not stuck at the marina and I'm out on the water! The o/b has an electric starter and the cables coming out of the engine are short(under 3 feet) should I install a separate battery or run cables to the main battery under the galley? If I install a separate battery, will a lawn mower battery do the job? I hope to get the A4 running in the future but I don't know much about working on engines. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Bill Roosa]

Given this is a temp solution I'd not invest in running cables from the main batteries. Motorcycle batteries are pretty small and they start 50+ hp motors so I'm thinking a reasonable lawn mower battery would suffice.
Lots of help is available to troubleshoot your A4 motor. What seems to be the problem?

 

[centerline]

I agree the lawn and garden battery is the best choice here... the wires alone to run the distance to.your house batt will cost nearly as much as the L&G battery will....

 

[LakeMurraySailor]

I went to the boat yesterday and I thought I'd try running jumper cables to the main battery just to see if it would work. I pushed the starter button and nothing happened! I think my connections were good but perhaps not so I'll go with the lawn mower battery per the recommendations! The A4 has some broken studs on the head and maybe some other problems. A friend says he can fix it, we'll see. Thanks again!

 

[centerline]

I went to the boat yesterday and I thought I'd try running jumper cables to the main battery just to see if it would work. I pushed the starter button and nothing happened! I think my connections were good but perhaps not so I'll go with the lawn mower battery per the recommendations! The A4 has some broken studs on the head and maybe some other problems. A friend says he can fix it, we'll see. Thanks again!

are you certain the main battery is in good condition and fully charged?...
but even if it is, old jumper cables sometimes cant carry the amps needed for starting even a small engine.

will the engine run?... if it will start and idle fine, and seems to be a smooth engine, the studs can be repaired by someone experienced in broken stud removal.... but it can be time consuming, because even the most experienced mechanic has to manipulate the stud loose from its potentially rusted bed before it can be removed.

if you dont have the experience with frozen stud/bolts that have broken off in the hole, you can very easily mess it up to where an expert cannot help you...
In a boat, access is the only real issue, so the engine may have to come out.... then its a quick and easy fix.
hopefully that is the only issues with it...

 

[LakeMurraySailor]

Hi C/L I don't think access is the problem. My friend that says he can fix it but has other "honey do's" and my A4 is not a priority so I've gotta love the o/b! Oh well, it is what it is and maybe I'll get it fixed one day! Until then I'll use the o/b and just be happy to be off the dock!

 

[Benny17441]

Oh man, a Po'Folk would take out the battery from under the galley and hook it up straight to the engine. If the engine don't crank either the battery is real low on charge or the cable connections to the engine or engine are bad. A lawn mower battery should do fine but for a few $$$ more you can get a full size starter battery and a box to put it in.

 

[whatfiero]

Check neutral safety switch on that outboard prob 2 of the small wires stickn out of motor

 

[LakeMurraySailor]

Hi WF, thanks for the idea, the outboard is brand new and it starts if you pull the cord while in neutral. The cord won't pull if it's in gear so that must be a manual "lock" of some kind. I don't see wires sticking out, would they be accessible under the gear shift paddle?

 

[whatfiero]

Just jiggle selector while tryin start sometimes switch can be more tempromental

 

[LakeMurraySailor]

Thanks, I'll try that next time I'm at the lake.