charging from ac power

terencew

Cadet
Joined
Oct 28, 2010
Messages
11
i have a 1993 25hp johnson the motor is pull start with ac lighting circuit
can i add regulator rectifier to this circuit to charge battery for running radio and sounder ? :)
 

samo_ott

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Messages
5,125
Re: charging from ac power

Yup, that's how most boats do it. You could add in a big capacitor also to smooth out the DC.
 

terencew

Cadet
Joined
Oct 28, 2010
Messages
11
Re: charging from ac power

cool thanks so if i follow wiring diagram for charging on electric start i should be fine. thanks:)
 

Vic.S

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 4, 2004
Messages
4,721
Re: charging from ac power

The parts diagrams only show a simple non regulated rectifier. But it's a 4 wire type so presumably you have a 3 wire connection to the AC lighting socket.

There is a battery charging kit part no 0582105 which is essentially a rectifier with a mounting, wiring harness and fuse which plugs into the lighting socket. It's $78 US though.

The alternative is the fit the rectifier, terminal block, wiring and other minor bibs and bobs that would be fitted on an engine with battery charging as standard. The rectifier alone is $50 US, so still not a cheap project

If you are Ok with a bit of DIY electronics you could use 6 suitably rated diodes to make up a full wave 3 phase type rectifier. In which case the bottom diagram below will be self explanatory and tell you all you need to know. It is the cheap way of doing it.

If you are worried about lack of regulation you will either have to find a regulator rectifier that can be used in place of the normal one or fit an add on regulator. Given a good sized battery you should not need to worry about the lack of regulation, but don't run the instruments directly from the engine without the battery connected ..

4fd8c66a.jpg
 

Faztbullet

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
15,938
Re: charging from ac power

IMO it not worth fooling with as its only about 2.5 amps AC output at WOT.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: charging from ac power

Sure it's worth the effort. I did this on a snowmobile back in 1971. Mounted the diodes in a pill bottle, filled with epoxy resin. The top of the bottle had a molex connector epoxied in that mated with a connector from the engine. Bingo - cheap rectifier, bright lights at any engine speed and the motorcycle battery provided lights with the engine off if needed. Total cost was about --- nothing --- since I had all the stuff in my junk box. A trip to Radio Shack today might set you back about six bucks (a buck each for the diodes).
 

terencew

Cadet
Joined
Oct 28, 2010
Messages
11
Re: charging from ac power

once again thanks all will give the home made job a blast have diodes
if that fails will visit local outboard wreckers sure to find something there all in all great input thanks again:)
 
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