Outboard Alternator?

[capn_billl]

I saw a sailboat for sale that had advertised an outboard engine with an alternator to charge on boat house batteries. I've never actually seen one so.

1. who makes them?
2. what size of outboard?
3. do the outboards come with an alternator, or can you add one aftermarket to the flywheel?

[Cheechako]

Some small OB's come with a charger, Pretty much a trickle charger I think though. Most the manufacturers make them, I believe starting at about 10 or 15 hP..

[David M]

All outboards have a magneto for running the engines electrical system, including the ignition system. Some outboards magnetos are also for charging the boats 12 volt DC loads. I have never seen an alternator installed on an outboard but that does not mean it could not exist. In general, magnetos have nowhere near the charging power of an alternator. Larger outboards do tend to have more powerful magnetos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magneto

[Cheechako]

It's my understanding the big OB's do have alternators , Esample:
"Suzuki DF200TL Outboard Motor. ... Suzuki DF200TL Outboard Motor ... 54 Amp Charging Alternator...."

[S/V Antares]

The newer high horspower outboards are fuel injected and require a lot of energy for hi pressure fuel pumps and the like. Many have alternators. The small ones (10 hp +) use a coil from the stator and rectify it to 12vdc for charging. Usually only about 10 amps or so.

[David M]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

It's my understanding the big OB's do have alternators , Esample:
"Suzuki DF200TL Outboard Motor. ... Suzuki DF200TL Outboard Motor ... 54 Amp Charging Alternator...."

Excellent. I never knew that.

[unbusted67]

You can even get an alternator for the new Merc 5hp 4 strokes. I used it exclusively on a recent trip. The installation was a PITA because the Merc people weren't very helpful in helping me order parts.

[rubyjean]

I have an 8hp Honda, it comes stock w/ a 6 amp charging system. All outboards w/ charging systems[ at least the small ones] are in truth an alternater. They are AC and use a rectifier to convert to DC. Mine works fine, but I still use my Honda 1000 w/ a 20 amp charger. Michael..

[Blue Stocking]

I replaced the ignition coil in my Yamaha 2CMH recently, and noticed the armature plate is prepped for another coil.
Thinking of setting it up for white lite on my 9ft dinghy. Won't put in a rectifier, will lite the bulb on AC, like the old pedal bike, tyre-driven generators.