What do the wires do? 1996 Johnson 2-Stroke 5hp Outboard (Long Shaft Sail Boat version) - Model BJ5DREDS

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Britspud

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Hi All - we just bought a small sailing boat with the above outboard included. It starts and runs fine and I've done some servicing work to it etc. However there are two pairs of wires coming out of the motor. The previous owner told me that it's for the electric engine start, but I can't see any starter motor installed under the cowl...I presume it would be obvious if it had one. I'm guessing one of the wires is an alrernator/battery charger, and one pair does indeed show a 12v multimeter reading when the engine is running. The other one though gave me a small shock when I touched the wires by mistake today...but it doesn't seem to do anything else when connected to the battery or connected together.

I cannot find a manual for the motor except by paying $40 to outboard books. Just wondered if anyone on here knows what these pairs of wires are for and how to use them.

Many thanks,

Britspud.
 
Charging output. If I can find it I’ll try to PM a manual. Excellent engines, clean fuel with additive is essential.
 
Many thanks indeed, WB. Do you have to use both sets of wires for the charging then? Or is this to charge two batteries, if you perhaps have a boat with starter and house batteries? Good to know! Everyone we speak to starts telling us about cheap deals on Mariners!
 
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Britspud said:
Hi All - we just bought a small sailing boat with the above outboard included. It starts and runs fine and I've done some servicing work to it etc. However there are two pairs of wires coming out of the motor. The previous owner told me that it's for the electric engine start, but I can't see any starter motor installed under the cowl...I presume it would be obvious if it had one. I'm guessing one of the wires is an alrernator/battery charger, and one pair does indeed show a 12v multimeter reading when the engine is running. The other one though gave me a small shock when I touched the wires by mistake today...but it doesn't seem to do anything else when connected to the battery or connected together.

I cannot find a manual for the motor except by paying $40 to outboard books. Just wondered if anyone on here knows what these pairs of wires are for and how to use them.

Many thanks,

Britspud.
Click to expand...
The 9.9 hp engine is the smallest for which electric starting is listed as an extra.

One pair may be for battery charging in which case you will find a rectifier and associated bits and pieces under the hood
see
https://www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-accessories/index.php?year=1996&model=Electrical+1996&section=Battery+Charging+Kit+-+4+Deluxe,+5,+6,+&+8&yid=34048&mid=34049&sid=39021

The other pair perhaps for a remote stop/kill switch ???? but shorting them together would kill the engine.
 
Thanks VicS...I hadn't considered a remote kill switch, that's a good suggestion. It would be a useful thing to have on the deck alongside the remote throttle etc. But I guess it would make sense to wire it to a lanyard safety switch...
 
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My old 6hPJohnsson has similar 3 wires all for lighting /battery charging. I am not sure why 3 wires but they may be regarded as 2 coils with a common. I wired up a set of schotky diodes to make a rectifier. (2 phase) ie 6 diodes. It delivers about .3 amp into a 12v battery at normal revs. I think at the time they were designed more to drive incandescent bulbs for nav lights rather than battery charging. (so lower voltage output.) anyway I have never used the charger in actual sailing. (or in fact the engine much anyway) ol'will
 
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