question about voltage output on a 9.9 mercury 4 stroke

[richie722]

Wondering if anybody has any info about this.

I have a new 9.9 mercury 4 stroke outboard. The engine does not have the optional alternator on it, its just the basic motor.

I have a basic fishfinder that I need to power, but rather than buying a battery for it, I was wondering if the motor, while running, maybe puts out 12 volts to power its electronics?

If so, maybe I could just tap into the voltage on the motor (if it exists) and then there would be no need for a battery.

Anybody have any idea if this motor has 12 volts on it somewhere while running?

[waterfoul]

My bet is that doing so would void your warranty. Even the motors with alternators only put out 6 amps... my bet is you need more than that.

Buy a battery and call it good.

[jpollman]

I'm no expert but I doubt it. Even if the motor had an alternator that is normally used to charge a battery not run accessories. Usually you'll run your accessories off of the battery and the alternator just tops off the battery whenever the motor is running. If you didn't do it this way, the accessories would only work while the motor is running.

John

[pp185xlt]

You wont be able to run the accessories off the motor due to the fact that you dont have the optional alternator. You can buy a kit, I believe its just the voltage regulator and some battery cables but you should still use the battery to power the accessories.

[Halffasthog]

I would avoid hooking up electronics directly to the alternator. The voltage can be inconsistent. It's better to have a buffer (battery) between even if only to clean up the voltage a bit. Also, I agree that 6A will not be enough for what you need anyway.

[richie722]

Thanks for the replies. Was hoping to get away without a battery, but looks like Ill just get one.

Rich

[b2theill]

The motor ignition is run off of AC voltage. Probably in the neighbor hood of 200 + volts. You fish finder needs a DC power supply. With out rectifying the AC to DC and Regulating the DC to an acceptable level you would be doing little more then opening up a can of worms. I would recommend purchasing the charging kit from a merc dealer...good luck

[Lucky Dog]

Check with your local dealer, they sell a charging kit for your motor, Mine was about 20 bucks. It comes with a schematic that shows where it plugs in to your harness.
I would not use it to run electronics though, the output is to variable, I think at low RPM's it would not put out enough to run a fish finder. But it will keep a battery topped off.

[Shoeman]

I have an 08 9.9 with the electric start.

I run an electric anchor, 36# electric kicker, lights and a graph and never had the battery voltage drop below 12V. I have yet to put it on a charger. The output might just fry a graph

Why not just get one of those hobby shop 12V batteries for your sounder? They're cheap and should give you several days of power.

[waterfoul]

Yeah, if all you want to run off the battery is your graph get a small 12v battery from a place like Batteries Plus. They will run a graph for several days on a single charge (depending on the amp hours you get).

[Natlight]

Yeah, if all you want to run off the battery is your graph get a small 12v battery from a place like Batteries Plus. They will run a graph for several days on a single charge (depending on the amp hours you get).

When I went to Canada 2 years ago I bought a tracter battery from walmart for 12 bones to run the finder. I had to charge it once in 7 days.;)

[Hotwired]

When I went to Canada 2 years ago I bought a tracter battery from walmart for 12 bones to run the finder. I had to charge it once in 7 days.;)


"12 bones"...???

Quit bringing your work home with you. :lol::lol::lol:

[Houghton laker]

"12 bones"...???

Quit bringing your work home with you. :lol::lol::lol:

:lol::lol::lol: You got to admit Tim....That was a good one!!;)

[Natlight]

:lol::lol::lol: You got to admit Tim....That was a good one!!;)

:lol::lol: Yeah, good one. I guess I missed Curt's post. 12 bones, I bet I have more bones lying around than Curt has reels in his garage.:SHOCKED::cheeky-sm:whistle: