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87 johnson sailmaster

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sk1fish
Deckhand

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Canada
2 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/05/2005 : 22:56:41

Hello all,

I have an 87 johnson sailmaster, and I was wondering if anybody could tell me whether or not it has a charging system. I know it has an electric start but I don't know if it can charge. I just bought electric downriggers and I need a motor that charges the battery while running.

Thanks
Scott

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2005 : 00:10:00

I know it has a charging system because one of our Fleet 7 boats just had a problem with theirs.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2005 : 09:47:01

Scott,

I have a '93 Johnson sailmaster with electric start and it has a 5 amp alternator. I don't know for sure whether having the electric start guarantees it has an alternator as well.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT

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Doug C.
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2005 : 11:04:01

My 1990 Sailmaster has electric start and charging system. Can't imagine that they would setup a motor with electric start and no charging system but who knows...

You can verify by checking the number of red wires going to the start button. There should be 2 coming from the motor and of course 1 coming from your battery. 1 coming from the motor is a heavy #8 or 10 wire that provides the power to the starter, the other is a #12 or #14 wire that is the output from the charging circuit.

Output from that 5 amp charging circuit is almost nothing at low rpm. Seems like it takes half throttle or better to see anything substantial.

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wmeinert@kconline.com
Past Commodore

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USA
353 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2005 : 14:39:45

I also have an 87, with a charger and electrical start, Every year you must use and ohm meter to check if the charging side is working, mine has failed 3 times since 87 and the electric starter still worked.
Just un-plug the electrical after starting and check the DC volt/amps with the meter, it should produce 12-15vt 2.5-7ahmps when running at about half throttel. And yes you can get a poke if not carefull. Do not use the battery switch to check this, if you inadvertantly leave it in the off position you will damage the charger. Which is usally what causes them to fail.

Bill

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2005 : 15:02:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by wmeinert@kconline.com
 ...Do not use the battery switch to check this, if you inadvertantly leave it in the off position you will damage the charger. Which is usally what causes them to fail...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bill,

Just curious...What's the difference if the charging circuit is opened by unplugging the connector or if it is disconnected via the battery switch?

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sk1fish
Deckhand

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Canada
2 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2005 : 18:21:15

thanks for the feedback everybody.

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2005 : 23:44:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 [quote][i]
Just curious...What's the difference if the charging circuit is opened by unplugging the connector or if it is disconnected via the battery switch?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If the battery is disconnected from the alternator with the engine running, the voltage in the alternator can rise to well above 15 volts since there is no where for the power to go with the circuit open. Excessive voltage, above whatever maximum level the rectifier was designed for, will burn out the diodes. The rectifier is the device in your outboard motor (and in most all modern automabile alternators) that converts the alternating-current output from the alternator into direct current, at the proper voltage, that the battery can accept. The diodes inside the rectifier are solid-state devices that allow current to flow in one direction only. If you hook up 4 diodes in a circuit called a "bridge rectifier", they will work together to take the alternating-polarity current from the alternator and output a continuous direct-current of whatever voltage the battery needs to maintain max charge (14.7 volts, I think).

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/07/2005 : 10:17:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by lcharlot
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 [quote][i]
Just curious...What's the difference if the charging circuit is opened by unplugging the connector or if it is disconnected via the battery switch?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If the battery is disconnected from the alternator with the engine running, the voltage in the alternator can rise to well above 15 volts since there is no where for the power to go with the circuit open. Excessive voltage, above whatever maximum level the rectifier was designed for, will burn out the diodes...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hmmm...If the alternator must stay connected to the battery while it is running, then Bill's advice to disconnect it to check for proper voltage is not correct, or is it?

Additionally, of those of us who start our outboards on a stand in our backyards, how many connect the charging circuit to a battery?

My knowledge in this area is lacking since I've never connected my alternator to the battery because I only use my outboard for about 10 minutes per outing.

Edited by - on

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