Converting OB to Electric Start, 3.5hp 4ST

[Ocean Girl]

Anyone ever convert a small OB to electric start? Can not find any info. We have a 2010 Nissan four-stroke 3.5hp.

Thanks
Erika

[ranger58sb]

I'd guess it's easier -- maybe more effective -- to just flog the current motor and replace with one already set up for electric start.


-Chris

[Sailmonkey]

This sounds like a tinker project. If Briggs and Stratton parts can be adapted to fit it might be feasible.


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[atoll]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

Anyone ever convert a small OB to electric start? Can not find any info. We have a 2010 Nissan four-stroke 3.5hp.

Thanks
Erika

look on your fly wheel,if it has teeth on the outer edge then there should be a starter unit available to bolt on to the block,though I think most electric start outboards are 10hp and above.

[colemj]

I don't think you can put an electric start on an outboard that small. Nothing technical prevents it - just space.

Generally, to convert an outboard to electric start requires a new flywheel or bolt-on ring, a regulated charging system (the unregulated one needs to be removed), a starter and bracket, a solenoid, a button switch and various wire harnesses.

Some engines already have an appropriate flywheel as standard on manual start, while others do not.

Most after-market kits run ~$700-1,000 for this.

BTW, to use this, you also need a battery in the dinghy.

Mark

[Tingum]

Why would you want it on one that small. The battery will weigh as much as the motor!

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Tingum

Why would you want it on one that small. The battery will weigh as much as the motor!

You might think about finding a different manual start motor which is easier to start.

I have electric start on my ancient 25 horsepower Mariner two-stroke. The battery died a couple of years ago and I haven't bothered to replace it, because it usually starts on the first pull. Manual starting it is just not a challenge or an issue or any trouble at all.

I appreciate, however, that different people have different physical abilities and comfort issues, and for some people starting any outboard could be uncomfortable.

But if it's not because of that, but because the motor is hard to start, then get rid of it. Outboard motors should start with one or two easy pulls -- in this day of capacitive discharge ignition, there is no excuse for poor starting. It was different, of course, in my childhood, when small engines were often the very devil to start, but that time, alas, is long gone.

[a64pilot]

If you want to tinker, it's not hard to use a Dewalt drill,
There is even an STC that uses a Dewalt drill to start old Continental aircraft engines as opposed to "prop starting" them.
If you want it factory, best to sell and buy one equipped that way. I'm real sure you could use a LIFE motorcycle battery, I have one that weighs something like 8 ounces, yet starts a Liter Super Bike easily.


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[a64pilot]

Now that I think about it, I bet it would be easy to adapt my Milwaukee angle drill that I use as an electric winch handle to start an outboard. One tool, multiple uses.


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[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Now that I think about it, I bet it would be easy to adapt my Milwaukee angle drill that I use as an electric winch handle to start an outboard. One tool, multiple uses.


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Where would you get the AC power for it, though?

[Rapp]

I've looked into converting before,VERY costly and complicated,most engines won't have the ability to charge the battery so that part is extra.It cost me $400 to just have a charging setup put on an outboard I use to crab with as I needed it to recharge my battery I use to power my trotline winder

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Where would you get the AC power for it, though?

It's powered by a LIPO battery pack, thing trims sheets easily and hoists my main and can even pull you up the mast, I believe it would easily start an outboard.
Graduate level would be a sprag clutch on the center of the outboards flywheel with the same insert as a winch.


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[Ocean Girl]

Thanks everybody. Yes, it is due to my strength. It's not that I cannot start it, it's the exertion ( quick hard pull) that can cause issues. Since we are cruising this is our car, I need to start the OB anywhere from 2-8 times a day, three to four pulls each time adds up and not in a good way. Im sure in 4-6 months this will be mute as my strength and endurance will be back( it's getting better and better everyday). But until then I'm trying to find ways to start the outboard without help from hubby (who is more then happy to help, but I feel like a pain in the behind).

I wish I could remember what my friend did when he hurt his shoulder..was some kind of gadget that attached to the pull rope....?

So far the lowest HP with electric start is 8.

Thanks for input and advice,
Erika

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Now that I think about it, I bet it would be easy to adapt my Milwaukee angle drill that I use as an electric winch handle to start an outboard. One tool, multiple uses.


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You beat me to this one. I can't see it for that small an engine.

Adding reg. electric start the battery would probably weight almost as much as the engine?

[gentlerain]

We had a 9.9 HP 4 stroke OB which I couldn't start (being female and not heavy) we llooked into converting it to electric start but couldn't find any inof and Yamaha didn't respond. This motor was stolen and we now have a 15 HP 2 stroke whihc is very easy to start. Also Yamaha is, I think, the best most reliable engine and I've had this make (totla 4 engines) for the last 25 years.