Emergency starting strings

Channel Ribs · 15 November 2007, 07:24

Where is the best place to get pre-made emergecy starting strings for outboards? The ones with a nice robust toggle and robust cord.

Nos4r2 · 15 November 2007, 07:43

I know it's not pre-made but from memory B&Q sell starter cord and replacement lawnmower toggles. It only takes 10 seconds to tie a couple of stop knots.

Slomofo · 15 November 2007, 08:01

'tis true - i also bagged a spare from my local Lawnmower service chap!

Jon Brooks · 15 November 2007, 08:18

Martin,

Might be worth a call to Neil at Turf and Surf.
He does mowers, outboards and golf buggies.
Only just down the road too.

Tell him I sent you!

01227 752499

Channel Ribs · 15 November 2007, 08:48

Cheers all, B&Q first as I need some bits from there anyway - if they are duff then Neil it is.

Matt · 15 November 2007, 09:07

You could buy an emergency starting cord from your local chandlers.

jyasaki · 16 November 2007, 00:32

Don't know what your motor uses, but my old Honda 40 used about 2 to 2.5 feet of 1/4" braided nylon with an overhand knot at one end, and a toggle handle at the other.

I'd whittle a few handles out of wood, and buy a hank of rope for $6, and be well ahead of buying one.

jky

9D280 · 16 November 2007, 13:01

I have on one ocasion of extreme emergency used a clove hitch round a screwdiver out the toolbox, the pull cord having been the toolbox attatchment lanyard.

Where there's a will.......

ian parkes · 16 November 2007, 17:38

I was about to start a thread on this subject . I was wondering the other day when my battery switch played up just how easy it is to start a 100 ish HP with a rope and what size motor is the max .

Also how many motors these days keep running when the battery power is lost ?

Nos4r2 · 16 November 2007, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

I was about to start a thread on this subject . I was wondering the other day when my battery switch played up just how easy it is to start a 100 ish HP with a rope and what size motor is the max .

Also how many motors these days keep running when the battery power is lost ?

Try it-you might surprise yourself.

In theory they should all carry running as long as the charging circuit is still working. I don't know about starting them if they stop though-and I doubt it'd be good for the electrics.

ian parkes · 16 November 2007, 17:48

Yes i must have a go with the pullcord sometime .

I thought modern 4 strokes wouldn't run with a flat battery . Not many bikes will so I presumed outboards were be the same .
I was pleased the Etec would run with the battery switched off

Nasher · 16 November 2007, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

I was about to start a thread on this subject . I was wondering the other day when my battery switch played up just how easy it is to start a 100 ish HP with a rope and what size motor is the max .

Also how many motors these days keep running when the battery power is lost ?

When I brought my Suzuki 200EFI I was surprised to see a small pouch under the hood containing a starting cord and handle.

I plucked up the courage to try it one day, and was pleased at how easy it started, however I've not tried it with the battery turned off. To do so would rely on me turning it over fast enough to create enough current to run the high pressure fuel pump. I'll give it a go when I think about it.

As an aside, my fuel injected bike will not bump start with a completly flat battery, all it needs is just enough power to run the high pressure fuel pump, and then it can be bump started. This is surprisingly little, as the pump will run even when the battery doesn't have enough power to get the engine over compression.

Nasher

ian parkes · 16 November 2007, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

When I brought my Suzuki 200EFI I was surprised to see a small pouch under the hood containing a starting cord and handle.

I plucked up the courage to try it one day, and was pleased at how easy it started, however I've not tried it with the battery turned off. To do so would rely on me turning it over fast enough to create enough current to run the high pressure fuel pump. I'll give it a go when I think about it.

As an aside, my fuel injected bike will not bump start with a completly flat battery, all it needs is just enough power to run the high pressure fuel pump, and then it can be bump started. This is surprisingly little, as the pump will run even when the battery doesn't have enough power to get the engine over compression.

Nasher

I don't think its just the fuel pump that needs to work it6s also the ignition system. I had a 650 twin Kawasaki with no fuel pump and carbs . It kickstarted with a dead battery but as the last bit of life drained from the battery even an indicator would stop the motor and it was misfiring badly.

Nasher · 16 November 2007, 20:50

I think with the bike the charging system is good enough to run the injection fuel pump and ignition system once it fires. But without the fuel pump running independantly first bumping it can't instantly get it anywhere near the 42psi it needs to run.
Once started it will run, idle, charge the battery and ride fine.
The pump probably needs a lot more current to run than the ignition system, so if the pump works it will too.

Nasher.

Matt · 16 November 2007, 21:00

Traditional (read carbed & early efi ) motors had 2 sets of windings on the stator - 1 to run the ignition system, & 1 to run the battery charging circuit.
Modern motors seem to only have a automotive style alternator, and optis for sure won't start - they need lots of amps 2 full turns of the crank to charge the compressor.
Didn't JohnRude claim you could pull start their etec's from a fully dead battery at some point?

Nasher · 16 November 2007, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Traditional (read carbed & early efi ) motors had 2 sets of windings on the stator - 1 to run the ignition system, & 1 to run the battery charging circuit.
Modern motors seem to only have a automotive style alternator, and optis for sure won't start - they need lots of amps 2 full turns of the crank to charge the compressor.

You learn somthing new every day

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Didn't JohnRude claim you could pull start their etec's from a fully dead battery at some point?

I seam to remember that too.

Nasher

Nos4r2 · 16 November 2007, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Yes i must have a go with the pullcord sometime .

I thought modern 4 strokes wouldn't run with a flat battery . Not many bikes will so I presumed outboards were be the same .
I was pleased the Etec would run with the battery switched off

They may well not run with the battery disconnected/totally dead.

In theory though (as Nasher said) as long as you've got enough power to fire up the injection and sparks you should be able to rope start it.

It'll probably carry on running if you subsequently lose the battery connection but it might fry the voltage regulator and any other electrics you've got turned on.

Matt · 16 November 2007, 21:16

Careful, I am a hardboater after all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

You learn somthing new every day

Nasher · 16 November 2007, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Careful, I am a hardboater after all.

I won't mention it if you don't mention my all encompassing inflatable fender on BM.

Nasher.

ian parkes · 16 November 2007, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

They may well not run with the battery disconnected/totally dead.

In theory though (as Nasher said) as long as you've got enough power to fire up the injection and sparks you should be able to rope start it.

It'll probably carry on running if you subsequently lose the battery connection but it might fry the voltage regulator and any other electrics you've got turned on.

Thats about it and as Mat says . I remember that bike , the battery was knackered just a dull glow from the ignition light not even a click from the solonoid . However it did Kick/ Pull start and just about got me a mile down the road before it died completely . That is my point your battery could be shot and unable to take any charge but giving enough to allow you to pull start it , then the motor will stop after a few miles and you have had it .
Its worth turning off the battery just to see what system you have. After all battery or conection of ,is the most likely failure in a boat thats bouncing about .