1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir(updated)

[BoatBuoy]

Paul, I'm trying to use a 12 volt battery with subject 6 volt motor. With respect to the 6 volt choke solenoid, in a post of yours of 05/17/03, you stated:
"Boatbouy, I don't want to get off-topic here, but you could use a ballast resistor in series with the choke solenoid. Just use one equal in resistance to the solenoid. Say you read 5 ohms, use a 5 ohm resistor. You can calculate the minimum wattage by 72 / (CoilResistance + Ballast resistance). In the above example 72/10=7.2 watts. Use a 10 watt resistor. "

I saved this and am now ready to implement. I measured the resistance of the solenoid to 2 different ground points on the engine and it measured 1.4 ohms. If I interpret your formula correctly I get this:

Solenoid = 1.4 ohms
Proposed ballast resistor = 1.4 ohms
((12 x 12)/2) /(1.4 ohms + 1.4 ohms) = 26 watts
72 / 2.8 = 26 watts

Please correct me if I'm wrong. Not being electrically inclined and being that there's a gazillion types of resistors, what type should I be looking for? Also, do you have a preferred source that might be able to supply one?

Thanks for reading.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

I wish this wouldn't let you post without logging in. I meant to display a pic of what those resistors look like so you can find them too. Here it is:

The writing on it will vary.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Many thanks, Paul.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Here's the patient I'm operating on. So far it has a new seal kit in lower unit, new waterpump kit, cleaned carb with new kit, spark jumps from here to yonder, compression is 140 lb on both cyls, starter check by starter shop. Now I'm working on electrical. When that's finished, should be good to go.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

That's one sharp looking job you got done there BB!

How long you working on it?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Thanks.
Got the motor last Oct. Didn't really start cosmetic work until about April.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Go to any auto parts store and ask for an ignition ballast resistor for any 12V 1955 - 1957 GM car. They are about 1 ohm and will easily handle the momentary current requirements of the choke solenoid. Actually any salvage yard would probably give you one. Otherwise a wire wound or ceramic resistor from Radio Shack would work. Before you head to the store, check them out on-line.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

That's a great idea. Much less work and a much heavier resistor too.

You're engine is coming out beautifully! The extra work on the pointer,cover polish, bumpers and stainless hardware really stands out. So much nicer than even brand new.

Did you have to replace the cowl gasket? It looks brand new. What did you use?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir

The only thing I polished is the bright work but it still has some blemishes. I was going to re-chrome it, but discovered it's stainless. Didn't want to mess with that. Actually, when I got it, it looked like something dredged from the river bottom. Cleaned, sanded, on and on, and then primed with etching primer and sprayed with acrylic enamel.

Man, what a learning curve. I've never sprayed acrylic enamel, never sprayed metallic, never used a gravity-feed gun, never used HVLP.

The cowl gasket is original. I cleaned it, sprayed/wiped it with "Son-of-a-Gun" protectant, and wiped it down with petroleum jelly. Actually, almost everything is original. It even has the original starter solenoid with the push-button under the bottom.

I'll check into the ignition resistor. Never thought about that.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir(Update)

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir(Update)

Thanks for the advice. I built a resistor and finally fired it up this weekend. I'd done the waterpump, carb, etc and it lit up after only a revolution of the starter. Choke worked great. Since the nearest junkyard is about 30 mi. and I get 22 mi/gal, I guessed that it would take $7-$8 to go get an ignition resistor. So I opted for the multiple resistors from Rat Shack. After soldering, wrapped them all up in shrink-wrap. Good solution. Thanks.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir(Update)

Re: 1956 Johnson 30hp choke-attn. Paul Moir(Update)

You're very welcome.

It's good to hear another one roar back to life!