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9.8 Tohatsu does electric start = alternator?

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jmczzz
1st Mate

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USA
92 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/26/2017 : 13:45:25

I bought a used 2012 9.8 Tohatsu with electric start to replace my 6 HP Tohatsu. I leaped before I looked. Does the electric start also mean it has some type of alternator / magneto to recharge the battery?
If not how do I tell if it has battery recharge capibility?
There are only two wires coming from the motor, one red one black.
How do I hook it to a battery switch? I have a seperate house battery. Is it possible to charge both batteries? (if the motor has charging capacity).
thanks, jmczzz

1978 C25 SK SR # 808

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9014 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2017 : 13:59:46

Yes, if there's electric start, there's an alternator (6 amp on the Tohatsu). The same wires work both ways (in opposite directions to start and to charge).

You want a 1-All-2-OFF rotary switch, which will have a diagram for what to hook to where. If you want to save battery #1 for house duty, turn to 2 to start the motor and then to ALL while it's running, so it's charging both. (Yes, you can do that as long as you don't turn the dial through OFF, which can harm the charging system.) Then, if you want to save #2 for starting while using the house battery, switch to 1. But given that you have a pull starter in case you run low on both batteries, I'd say you can leave the switch on ALL for all purposes, and OFF when you're not using the boat.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

jmczzz
1st Mate

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USA
92 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2017 : 14:18:46

thank you. I did get a rotory switch as you describe and a 50 amp circult breaker that mounts on the house positive battery post. Do I need an additional circult breaker on the crank battery.
thanks for the quick response. jmc

1978 C25 SK SR # 808

Edited by - jmczzz on 08/26/2017 15:18:22

jmczzz
1st Mate

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USA
92 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2017 : 14:23:16

the switch instructions say red goes to the switch common post. switch bat 1 to pos bat 1,switch bat 2 to pos bat 2. so does the black connect to a common ground with both neg post on both batteries?
thanks. jmc

1978 C25 SK SR # 808

Edited by - jmczzz on 08/26/2017 15:16:22

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5232 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2017 : 15:26:17

Congrats on the engine. Electric start is nice.
Each battery should have its own fuse.
You've chosen an electromechanical circuit breaker which seems equivalent to a fuse, but since it's in a marine environment, is subject to corrosion and failure such that it may not open and cut power in the case of a short circuit.
Fuses are more reliable than circuit breakers since there are no mechanical parts to rust.
Typically on a boat, all negative wires are connected together without a switch. Some people refer to a negative "ground", but it's not grounded, just common.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

jmczzz
1st Mate

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USA
92 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2017 : 15:36:26

thanks for that info. I got the motor hooked up and pushed the button and varoom it started right up. how nice! the votage at the battery was 12.42 before starting after 13.41 so all seems well to me. thanks for the help you guys. jmc

1978 C25 SK SR # 808

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1736 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2017 : 06:48:57

I have the same engine (07) and it works great and is dependable. As it's used you should check the carb to make sure it does not have gunk build up. As I use mine so infrequently (<75 hrs over 10 years) that has been the only issue I have had. It starts easily -- pull rope or electric. As Tohatsu dealers are not as plentiful, any Mercury dealer can handle service/parts as the Merc & Nissan are built by Tohatsu

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

jmczzz
1st Mate

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USA
92 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2017 : 07:23:27

I'm pleased with mine. 25" shaft, 4 blade high thrust prop, compression just a few lbs from new spec. checked out and serviced by one of the best mechanics i've known. ITG Marine Dickerson TENN 37055 615-375-1837,Steve. just east of the Tenn River.
thanks jmc

1978 C25 SK SR # 808

Lee Panza
Captain

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USA
465 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2017 : 10:59:07

In any conversation about a switch between the battery(ies) and the motor/alternator, it should be pointed out that disconnecting or connecting the motor/alternator from/to the battery while the motor is running might damage the rectifier diodes. A lot has been written on other boards about this. Some people claim that they do, or have done it, without damage, but the consensus is that it's not a good thing to do. As I read it, there can be a spike applied to the diodes that can fry them. I have a hunch that this may be obsolete advice, and that present-day units might have overload protection built into them, but the issue still seems to generate (no pun intended) strong advice to avoid doing this. Just a word of caution.

The trouble with a destination - any destination, really - is that it interrupts The Journey.

Lee Panza
SR/SK #2134
San Francisco Bay
(Brisbane, CA)

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9014 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2017 : 11:28:57

Agreed on not disconnecting while running--no point in risking damage to the charging circuit. The rotary switch will only do that in the OFF position. Switching between 1, Both, and 2 supposedly keeps a continuous connection with the motor--each new connection is made before the prior one is broken.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

jmczzz
1st Mate

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USA
92 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2017 : 11:57:16

thanks to all respondents. This Forum and the people on it have really been helpful to rescue me from this and many other questions.
thank you Sailors, jmc

1978 C25 SK SR # 808

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.