Electric start for an outboard...

[JustStartin]

Hey guys, I need some advice and suggestions.  I've got a 9.9 hp Johnson (1984) mounted on the motor mount of my CP-19.  It came with an electric start.  My problem is that I currently don't have a convenient way of running the electrical cables to my battery down below. 

Would you drill a hole in the transom to run the cables (how so and where?) to the battery or do away with the electric start all together and just use the pull rope?

Thanks for any advice!

[Gil Weiss]

My CP19 has a 1/2 inch hole drilled about 2" under the rub rail over the motormount for the small cable that runs to the battery for charging it from a motor with a generator. A small chrome inverted clam cover goes over the hole to keep water out and exits the wire downward. A similar set up could be used for your electric start cable.

However, a few things to consider . . . How are you going to keep your battery charged? If your motor has the starter it probably has a generator too, but it takes a lot of running to get much out of these generators on small outboards, especially after the draw from an electric start. It would probably work for someone who cruises a lot, but I don't know how much running under power you will be doing.

My new Merc 6HP 4Stroke does not have a generator (or an electric start) as I only use the engine to get in and out of the marina (Maybe 10 minutes total on a typical sailing day) The dealer advised against spending the extra 300 bucks for the generator based on my usage as they said it would not keep my battery charged.

I use my battery only for lights and electronics. To keep it charged I have 10 watts of solar panels velcroed on the top of my main hatch that runs though a small charger controller mounted in the battery box. Similar system to that on my last ComPac and it works like a charm. The solar panels charge all day and the controller keeps from over charging and/or reversing the power flow at night.

I am a big believer in keeping things s simple as possible.

My 2 cents, Gil

[Craig Weis]

Run the cables through the scupper holes.I was thinking about the gas tank scupper as this is where Wave Runner has it's cable. skip.

[Gil Weiss]

The scupper holes either route you to the gas tank compartment or the drain line from the bilge pump? There are four outlets on my transom. Two are the cockpit drains on the floor of the gas tank compartment, one is for the fuel line into the tank compartment and the fourth is for the bilge pump.

Gil

[JustStartin]

My CP19 has a 1/2 inch hole drilled about 2" under the rub rail over the motormount for the small cable that runs to the battery for charging it from a motor with a generator. A small chrome inverted clam cover goes over the hole to keep water out and exits the wire downward. A similar set up could be used for your electric start cable.

However, a few things to consider . . . How are you going to keep your battery charged? If your motor has the starter it probably has a generator too, but it takes a lot of running to get much out of these generators on small outboards, especially after the draw from an electric start. It would probably work for someone who cruises a lot, but I don't know how much running under power you will be doing.

My new Merc 6HP 4Stroke does not have a generator (or an electric start) as I only use the engine to get in and out of the marina (Maybe 10 minutes total on a typical sailing day) The dealer advised against spending the extra 300 bucks for the generator based on my usage as they said it would not keep my battery charged.

I use my battery only for lights and electronics. To keep it charged I have 10 watts of solar panels velcroed on the top of my main hatch that runs though a small charger controller mounted in the battery box. Similar system to that on my last ComPac and it works like a charm. The solar panels charge all day and the controller keeps from over charging and/or reversing the power flow at night.

I am a big believer in keeping things s simple as possible.

My 2 cents, Gil

Good advice Gil.  Since I'm new to the sport, I'll be doing a decent amount of cruising as I get the feel for things.  But, eventually I'm afraid you might be right about not providing enough recharge time.  Do you happen to have a picture of the hole with the clam cover you mentioned?

Many thanks.

[Gil Weiss]

See the photo I just posted in the Image Gallery. It is in the new image section along with being put into the CP19 Folder.

The wire is clearly evident coming out of the transom above the motor mount.

Hope this helps, Gil

[JustStartin]

See the photo I just posted in the Image Gallery. It is in the new image section along with being put into the CP19 Folder.

The wire is clearly evident coming out of the transom above the motor mount.

Hope this helps, Gil

Thanks Gill!  Unfortunately I wasn't able to blow up the photo to get a real good look at it, but I was at least able to see where the hole is located on the transom.

Thanks again!