See full version: Does an outboard engine recharge the battery when running like a car does
Easy to check, measure voltage with the motor off then again with it started and running, should be more when running, DO NOT disconnect the battery when the motor is running it will fry the rectifier or regulator, can't remember which but they are both expensive and the faster the engine is turning the more charge it puts out but don't run the engine above 1500 rpm without a load on it. [links]
Re: Does an outboard engine recharge the battery when running like a car does? more
Almost all electric start outboards have an alternator to recharge the battery. If the motor has not been run for a while, it always a good idea to put it on a charger before you take it out. Particularly on smaller motors whose alternators charge slowly. This makes sure you will have plenty of battery to crank for awhile if you have to. Most of us hook up water to the motor, crank it and let it run for a while before we leave home.
Some do and some do not as stated above. Most electric start motors do charge, however there is nothing more reassuring than having a spare battery out with you. I always take one of those power packs that can boost start the motor if necessary.
Re: Does an outboard engine recharge the battery when running like a car does?
Deep cycle batteries are more expensive than the cranking type. Avoid going with the cranking type because it will ultimately fail. It cannot hold up against the demands of a trolling motor. more
3. Keep fluid levels one-quarter of an inch under the splash ring located at the mouth of the cell. It is needed to allow the hot electrolyte solution to expand. [links]
1. Wear protective rubber gloves to avoid getting corrosion on your skin. here
Check the fluid levels regularly. Keep them filled to the proper levels without overfilling. Here is how to proceed. [links]
Discharge to 50% = 47.84Ah (left in the battery after discharge) [links]
Let’s do the math: Baseline Ah Capacity = 95.69Ah
SCALE IT UP: If we scale this test up, and it should scale well, a .2C charge rate on a 450Ah fairly typical cruising boats house bank would be a continuous 90A for 1 hour before your batteries even hit the absorption voltage set point. Yes, 90A continuously for 1 HOUR.. This is a metric $hit ton of work on a typical 90A – 120A alternator. This is why many a boater has burned up their alternators charging AGM batteries.
Discharge to 50% = 47.44Ah (left in the battery after discharge)
By 4 hours, at .4C, in we’re now down to 1.1A in charge acceptance… more
For AGM batteries generally speaking the more charge current the better the longevity of the bank. It helps, not hinders, with overall longevity to charge at high rates. Higher charge rates in AGM batteries actually yields longer life not shorter life. Dave V. the lead engineer at Lifeline battery published a study supporting higher charge rates being good for AGM’s a long time ago but it still holds true today.. Odyssey battery, thin plate pure lead AGM batteries, wants to see a minimum of .4C in charge current and Lifeline wants to see a minimum of .2C as recommended charge current. here
Recharging the batteries puts the sulfate back into the solution, which in turn gives the battery the potential to provide electricity once again.Batteries fail for a number of reasons. One is that fishermen choose the wrong one for the application. Marine batteries are more expensive because of their construction, and on occasion, fishermen pick cranking batteries or deep cycle batteries that are intended for use on land because they can be significantly cheaper. That's foolish economy, because a battery built for use in a car is simply not strong enough to withstand the rigors of a bouncing ride in a bass boat. The battery might be able to handle it for a while, but repeated abuse will loosen plates, crack cases and set the stage for failure. Marine batteries, with their heavier plates and stronger internal construction, are built for rough duty. Picking the right type of marine battery is also of importance to continued health. There are two basic types of batteries: cranking and deep cycle.Cranking batteries are designed to yield a lot of power in short duration. The design provides the electrical push necessary to turn over motors, and that push is usually measured in cranking amps. Cold Cranking Amps is the normal rating for battery capacity. It measures the amount of power available in a quick burst at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.A new measure is coming into play in the marine trade, and that is Marine Cranking Amps, measuring the power available in the same fashion, but at 32 degrees.Deep cycle batteries are built to deliver smaller doses of power over a longer period of time. This power is measured in amp-hours, a figure that will provide you with the ability to judge your battery needs as a fisherman.You only need look at the amp draw of your trolling motor at various speeds (high speed is a good standard) and divide that into the amp-hour rating of your deep cycle to see how long you can fish at that speed.Another reason for battery failure is that fishermen substitute cranking batteries for deep cycle.Cranking batteries won't work for deep cycle use for very long, because they aren't designed to take the long charging times necessary. Conversely, deep cycle batteries don't have the cranking power necessary to start large engines time after time.Marine batteries can be split further, into three basic groups for both cranking and deep cycle batteries: standard flooded, or wet-cell batteries, are the most common. The battery's six cells are open and contain the standard lead plates and electrolyte. You can service these batteries yourself.
On wet-cell or flooded-cell batteries, pop the cell caps and check the electrolyte levels before charging. Battery plates should be covered by 1/8 inch of fluid. The fluid level should not extend to the top of the cell, but should be approximately 1/4 inch below the splash ring on the mouth of the cell. The gap allows for expansion of the electrolyte when hot.If the cells are down, you will need to refill them, using distilled water. Take care not to fill directly out of the container of water, but slowly add it to the cell so you can judge levels accurately. Don't overfill. here
Understanding batteriesThe most important part of battery care is understanding the batteries themselves. Batteries depend upon a chemical reaction of sulfuric acid with lead plates to create direct electric current. As the reaction proceeds, sulfates are deposited on the plates, reducing their ability to produce current.