Pull starting a 30 4 stroke. How hard?

[Wee Hooker]

I've always been partial to a OB that can be pull started in a crunch.
However, My dealer says that the newer 30 hp Ob's are a bear to pull start. He is pushing me towards a full sized startin type battery vs the deep cycle I had planned for myordered 30 Tohatsu.( DC type would double as a backg-up trolling motor battery.) Thoughts? Are they really that hard to pull start as compared to a 2 stroke of similar size? Is a starting type battery really advisable or is he being overly cautious.

 

[JB]

Re: Pull starting a 30 4 stroke. How hard?

Well, if I was selling starting batteries I might tell you the same . . . um. . .thing.

I used to start my 1936 85HP Ford V8 with a hand crank when the battery was dead, which was often. I have also pull started a 1983 Johnny 150HP V6.

I am not Mr. America. In fact, I am rather puny.

Now, all that said, I recomment Wal Mart's "Big Yellow" Marine Maxx dual purpose battery. Works good, lasts a long time.

 

[marquette]

Re: Pull starting a 30 4 stroke. How hard?

plate thickness is diffferent inside a starting battery than a deep cycle. the starting battery is designed for large hits of current draw for short periods of time. a deep cycle is designed to withstand a medium draw for a long time. starting a outboard with a deep cycle battery will shorten its life and using a starting battery as a trolling battery and draining it down to complete or near complete will ruin it fairly quickly. the dual purpose batteries use a combination of plate thicknesses to do both starting and trolling. not a bad choice for someone that doesn't use his trolling motor all day long everytime he goes out or isn't starting a bigger outboard or doing something that he is constantly having to restart. the alternator on your 30hp will keep a starting battery charged all season long but if you use a dual purpose battery and a trolling motor you will have to keep it charged with an external charger. i've never tried starting my 30hp honda by hand so how it compares to my 28hpSPL johnson i don't know. i do know it takes more effort to turn the honda flywheel by hand than the johnson. since the dealer is trying to sell you a starting battery i assume the motor has electric start and since youwant to pull start the motor i assume it has the rope start on top. take the motor out for the first day and use the rope start then that night you can go back to the dealer and buy the battery. that way you can say to yourself that you can pull start a new 4 stroke 30hp and the next day when you come home you can say wow i am really glad i got electric start.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Pull starting a 30 4 stroke. How hard?

The deep cycle battery will be fine....The thing starts instantly so the only time you are going to run the battery down is if it isn't going to start anyway. If you run the battery down from the trolling motor you can start it using your body weight alone...If you weigh over 150 bs. Having said that, it's not something you would ever want to do on a hot July afternoon, unless you are under 40 and have something to prove

 

[pvanv]

Re: Pull starting a 30 4 stroke. How hard?

Agree with Elvin 100%. This motor should start on the first pull. The electric start circuit is fused at about 20 amps, so it is not like cranking a V6, so a deep-cycle will not be taxed when starting the 30.

When doing the pre-delivery inspection on these, we always check both the recoil starter as well as the electric, and none of our over-45-year-old staff have ever complained that they are too hard to pull start.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Pull starting a 30 4 stroke. How hard?

Thanks again Gents, you've confirmed my thought process. I'm definatly going DC for the starter as well as the trolling motor battery of course.).

 

[Jake Windemere]

Re: Pull starting a 30 4 stroke. How hard?

I have several Odyssey batteries that I use for starting my 50 hp Honda.

You can get by with a small, small Odyssey if all you wish to do is use a power tilt and trim and start the engine.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc545series.htm

Less than 13 pounds and it kicks butt. I have yet to run the beast down.

I am amazed by the Odyssey batteries. They have a lot of reserve for their size and they maintain a 100 percent charge for a long, long time.

Pure lead plates in the battery mean a fantastic product.