Battery Connections

AndrewH · 12 April 2006, 00:51

I've just upgraded to a Yam50 from a Mariner Manual start. This is my first electric outboard so still learning. Can anyone let me know which side of the battery needs to be connected to the starter motor, and which terminal goes to the solenoid. I'm being a bit cautious as I've been warned that getting it wrong is expensive.

Also has anyone got any recommendations for decent marine cable for the starter circuit. I've been looking at

http://www.merlinequipment.com/prod_range.cfm?cat_id=98

but would be interested in all comments

TIA Andrew

Pete7 · 12 April 2006, 09:05

Andrew I haven't owned a Yam 50, but on other Yamahas the earth (black) normally goes to the start motor chassis and the positive (red) goes to a soleniod connection. Your right, you don't want to get this wrong so have a dealer show you. Also consider a battery isolation switch in the positive battery cable and if your going to fit electronics then a second circuit with fuses or breakers would be sensible. Rogue Wave and I like the Blue Sea stuff so worth having a wonder around a decent chandlers.

I asked Jon Fuller how he recomends batteries be secured in a powerboat a couple of years ago and he came up with this photo of his installation

which looks good and way better than a plastic battery box, so in the best traditions of Ribnet, I have splashed his idea and had a local firm make up the 2 frames to secure a battery.

Pete

AndrewH · 12 April 2006, 21:18

Thanks Pete that's a great help.

I've just found the Blue Sea kit and got one of their switch panels ready for installing on my console, so I guess I'm thinking along the right lines. Were the battery frames a one-off build or did you get a job lot made?? If so, have you got any left to sell on?

Thanks

Andrew

Rogue Wave · 12 April 2006, 21:26

you really should get marine grade cable and overspec it. Aquafax is a good source for that and they do mail order they are the distributors for Blue sea systems. If you mention my company they would give you a good discount off list. I'll PM you the name and account details if you want anything

Rogue Wave · 12 April 2006, 21:27

that fuller might be a nobber but his engineering is most impressive. I'd love to be able to do work that neatly.

(a real one)

AndrewH · 13 April 2006, 00:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Aquafax is a good source for that and they do mail order they are the distributors for Blue sea systems. If you mention my company they would give you a good discount off list. I'll PM you the name and account details if you want anything

Thanks Rogue Wave - help much appreciated. I'll keep an eye out for the PM

Cookee · 13 April 2006, 09:14

We always use tinned cable (avoid anything that is copper coloured) and crimp / heatshrink connectors - they are sealed at the connector end, and when crimped and heatshrunk there is a glue inside that competely seals the end of the cable.

We use www.merlinequipment.com for cable and Wurth or RS for the connectors.

Pete7 · 13 April 2006, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

Were the battery frames a one-off build or did you get a job lot made?? If so, have you got any left to sell on? Andrew

I took the battery into a local (Portchester engineering) firm and just left it with them and the photo courtesy of Jon Fuller over on Boatmad. Cost about £30, I think.

Pete

AndrewH · 13 April 2006, 23:34

Thanks to everyone for their wiring tips - if weather holds out this weekend I should be able to put some of it to good use

Andrew