Does running the outboard recharge the battery?

[citygent111]

Hi all,

(New to us) boat has been in storage for about 6 weeks -, when I take it out this weekend, I'm curious to know if the outboard will recharge the boats battery?

It's a 30hp tohatsu if that helps!

Thanks

[Jon Tallis]

Electric start or pull start?

[citygent111]

Originally Posted by Jon Tallis

Electric start or pull start?

Oh sorry Jon!

Electric start.....

[Fenlander]

If you have one I'd pop a voltmeter on the battery as soon as you have the motor running on the water... just for the reassurance it does charge.

[citygent111]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

If you have one I'd pop a voltmeter on the battery as soon as you have the motor running on the water... just for the reassurance it does charge.

Thats a great idea Fenlander, thanks - I have a multimeter so i could check the battery before we start the engine, then check it again afterwards - if it's higher V, it's charging?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by citygent111

Thats a great idea Fenlander, thanks - I have a multimeter so i could check the battery before we start the engine, then check it again afterwards - if it's higher V, it's charging?

Leave the meter on whilst the engine is running, you should be able to see the voltage increase slightly as the revs increase. You should be seeing around 14.5V with the engine running.

[Jon Tallis]

If it's electric start then it should be designed to recharge the battery but follow the advice of the previous two responders to confirm if it actually is charging.
And familiarise yourself with the emergency manual start - it ought to have one. Pull cord was probably with the original manual & info pack

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by citygent111

Oh sorry Jon!

Electric start.....

Should do, unless it's an ancient (80s or before) one converted to electric start.

[Matt]

Pretty much this. Modern EFI with electric start usually has a proper alternator, so will charge it OK. Old stuff especially just had an extra winding on the stator and often only had a rectifier on it, not even a regulator. The output capacity was low enough that it didn't matter.

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Should do, unless it's an ancient (80s or before) one converted to electric start.

[citygent111]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Should do, unless it's an ancient (80s or before) one converted to electric start.

No it's almost brand new (bought new May 21) so I imagine it will - I'll still do the multimeter check though.

[jeffstevens763@g]

https://www.tohatsu.co.uk/outboard-engine-m-30hp.html

Says charging system electric model 12v 180w 15 amp