1958 Johnson 35hp Super Seahorse

[cgrim1028]

While dissasembling to change coils and points, I had the misfortune of destroying the flywheel on my motor
(have another on the way)
While flywheel and ring #s match, seller indicates his is for an electric start motor w/generator.
Mine is electric start, but I never thought/heard about this old of a motor ever having a generator. Has anyone any experience with a 1958 35Hp Johnson Super Seahorse w/generator?

Thanks,
Currently cutting bait

[tashasdaddy]

it was an option on those motors.

[Chinewalker]

If the crank taper and keyway are the same, it'll work. The adddition of the generator ring does not affect the flywheel's function on way or the other...
- Scott

[cgrim1028]

It was available w/generator option? in 1958? RDS 20
Well then I guess my next question is whats the chance anyone has the generator assy for this motor for sale? Or a # to someone who does?

Thanks,
cg

[F_R]

[QUOTE=cgrim1028;2079237]It was available w/generator option? in 1958?
Well then I guess my next question is whats the chance anyone has the generator assy for this motor for sale? Or a # to someone who does?

Be prepared for they are expensive. Generators are easier to find than the voltage regulator and stuff that goes with it. You need a generator, a mounting bracket, a belt, a flywheel guard, a voltage regulator, an extra deep cover for your junction box, a cable that goes in the junction box, an ammeter (optional), and whatever else I've forgotten. The voltage regulator is sort of special in that it has a 10 amp current regulator, and new ones are about $100.

The generator mounting bracket is different than the standard '58 35hp, but same as newer ones, including the 40hps

Somebody will come along and tell you it only puts out 10 amps. Hey, most/many newer motors only put out 5 or 6 amps. True, it won't work at all at speeds of less than fast idle.

[cgrim1028]

I appreciate the quick response.
I've had this motor enough years to know I am going to go all the way.

I have found an RDS 20 parts# book on ebay, it is for RDS 20, and RDSL 20,

I wonder if the RDSL 20 was the generator model?

I can't picture where the generator would bolt up, size or config?
I would like having 10amps @ 12Vdc available.

Thx
cg

[CATransplant]

The generator goes on a bracket on the opposite side of the enging from the starter and is belt-driven. The regulator goes in the same box used for the starter solenoid.

The RDSL20 was the long-shaft version. But, many RDS20s were converted to long shaft, and many RDSL20s were converted to short shaft.

It's a wonderful outboard. Nice-looking, too. But I'd skip the generator, if I were you. A fully charged battery will give you dozens and dozens of starts before needing to be recharged. If you have a trolling motor or other electronics, get a second battery for them. Charge both at home.

Best of all, if your battery is dead when you're out on the water, your RDS20 will fire right up with the recoil starter. It's a chore when the engine's cold, but on a warm engine, it's no big deal.

[jon_57owens]

Hi,
small world - i did the same thing pulling the flywheel to replace bad magnetos. Seems the flywheel had become one with the shaft. got a new one (ouch) as well.
I actually fitted the generator to my engine while i had it apart. The info you've gotten on this blog so far is true. You'll have to swap out the box cover where the electrical connections are with a deeper box that has an internal regulator. I am looking for one right now (anybody got one?).
I would disagree with one thing said , however. Given the choice of a generator or not I would take the generator. The extra 10 amps (at speed) can be used to recharge the battery and/or run extra loads, such as lighting, radios, whatever.
At full load, the generator uses ABOUT the following horsepower:
10 amps X 13 volts = 130 watts.
Since 1 HP is about 768 watts that comes out to be 130/768 = 0.17 hp.

BTW, we are in the last 'throes' of a full resto on a '57 owens 16 foot runabout with a Johnson 35 hp 1958 vintage.

Hope that helps

john