Tohatsu 9.8 - alternator -- Good Idea?

[Samwill557]

I have a 1994 Hunter H26 with a 9.8 Tohatsu Engine. The manual lists an alternator/rectifier accessory for charging 12v batteries. Has anyone ever used one or heard of it?

Does it make sense to add it?

Sam

 

[owner23.5]

it would be a nice thing to keep batteries charged , my brother is a tohatsu dealer here and I have the same motor as you I inquired about that system and if I remember correctly he said that it would run in the range of $400.00 plus to install one on mine . I instead purchased another battery and use it as a backup instead . $70.00 on a new batt was alot better then the money being droppped on the charging system, ps: that was brother to brother quote not sure if it would go higher elsewhere ,,good luck

 

[Benny]

Not really. The alternator kit for the Tohatsu 9.8 is rated for 12V at 80 watts. After adding a rectifier and cables it probably translates to a charging current of around 5 amps. This low output would require many hours of motoring for battery charging when the idea of a sailboat is to utilize the wind. I would rather check on a solar panel installation.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

My 9.9 has the alternator, and electric starter. I don't use the outboard enough to make a significant difference.

The days between weekend sailing, with the battery charger running, maintain the battery just fine.

 

[Charisma]

I have a Honda 9.9 with the equivalent charging system, but being a sailboat, we do not motor enough for it to charge-recharge our batteries. I think you would be better off putting the money towards a solar panel

 

[Boydaclies]

I've got the Tohatsu 9.8 w/ charger. If your battery voltage was low and you were running the motor at above idle, it'll keep your nav lights on, but you would have to motor for a day or two to actually recharge a depleted battery. Seems to work about like a very small trickle charger.

 

[scott21050]

I have a solar panel and a suzuki 6 hp with a charger. I have had to motor quite a bit a few times. It will charge the battery, but not fast at 6 amps. What it is good is back up for the overnights. My charger was $250 intstalled.
I have had my set up for several years now and like it.

Good luck

Scott

 

[Barry14722]

I have a Nissan 4 Stroke 9.8 HP outboardon my Hunter 25. It is about a 15 minute ride from the marina to the bay to get my sails up. I charge the battery in the Spring and this ride takes care of the battery all season. I have elctricity at my slip, but never use it. However, I do have a large capacity battery.