running on muffs

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />Here is a couple newbie questions.<br /><br />a. I was told that if one is running an engine on muffs, one should tape the ear on to the outdrive to prevent slippage. I guess the idea is you don't want the muff to slip off and ruin the stern drive. I'm just curious to know if it's common for the ear muff to slip off during usage? Does any one tape there muffs while in use?<br /><br />b. When buying ear muffs, do you recommend one that provides water entry to both side of the stern drive (Right and left) or the simple one with water entry to one side is sufficient?<br /><br />c. My boat have a starting battery. I was told by a mechanic that when charging the battery I should should (or it's OK ) set it to my "deep cycle" mode on my battery charger. My battery charger have a regular and deep cycle battery charing selector. Is there any advantage to putting it on the deep cycle selector?

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: running on muffs

I prefer the muffs that Mercury sells. They have a wire that passes through water inlet holes on both sides of the drive leg, a secure clamping arrangement that provides gogs of clamping pressure, don't leak a drop when the engine is running, and cannot fall off. I think they are $14. <br /><br />My preferred muffs only have one hose inlet but have proven prefectly adequate for my 7.4 liter engine. I cannot imagine why you'd need muffs with two hose connections since the water inlets are connected internally.<br /><br />"Deep cycle" is likely just trickle charging the battery. It takes longer but may prove better for the battery. I say "may prove better" because it seesm odd to me that charging at 10 to 30 amps would harm the battery when it's routinely charged by a 60 to 100 amp alternator in the boat. You surely won't hurt it by charging it slowly though.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: running on muffs

a. I have cheapy muffs, have never slipped. But I watch them carefully when I use them just in case.<br /><br />b. Mine are el-cheapo's that feed only one side. They work fine on my 3.0L Mercruiser.<br /><br />c. Setting doesn't really matter for an occasional maintenance charge at the beginning and end of the season. A starting battery hooked to a properly functioning charging system should rarely if ever need to be hooked to an auxillary charger anyway.

 

[Pogo123]

Re: running on muffs

1. I've never had a muff slip position, But (as Crase1cars says) it's good to keep an eye on them.<br /><br />2. Look up your model engine in the muff manufacturer reference tables. They all have one. I've never seen a case where a single inlet muff wasn't sufficient, but, having said that, I've also never seen a case where you can supply too much water. Dual inlet muffs aren't much more expensive than single inlet models, so I'd go with what you're comfortable with.<br /><br />3. No advice I can give will top what your battery manufacturer recommends. All are online, so I'd suggest looking them up (Google should find them in about 5 seconds) and reading what they recommend for charging rates and chargers.

 

[Mark42]

Re: running on muffs

I read that the major cause of muffs falling off is from having the water turned on too hi. I use the "one sided" muff and even with moderate water flow, there is water shooting out around the rubber cup. If the flow is too much, I think the muff can hydroplane right off the leg.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: running on muffs

The type of muff does not matter so much.As long as there is enough water going to the drive.YOU HAVE TO BE NUTS TO USE UNSECURED MUFFS!!!.Yes they can easily slip forward or back just enough to divert the water flow elsewhere.I have also had the intake seperate from the muffs and also had my little nephew pull on the hose from the other side of the yard.Yes ,Yes everyone "keeps an eye on it"But what are you going to do when it slips off and you are keeping an eye on it??Are you going to slip it back on or are you going to turn off the ignition???? It doesent matter......because by the time you decide to do one of those...the impeller has begun it new life as toast!! I NEVER run on muffs w/o having an ice pick pushed through the center of the muff opposite the water side and have the ice pick inserted in the intake grid of the o/d.There is too much at risk to not take a simple precaution.

 

[brownies]

Re: running on muffs

I've never had any trouble with any type of muffs...well, I do have a 150 v-max that just won't run on muffs (it's why I have three different styles). <br /> Tried all I could find before I went to submerging lower unit in a barrel.<br /> But, countless other inboards/outboards all work fine on any of these muffs.<br /> Never had a set slip, but, I do watch them closely.

 

[beezee28]

Re: running on muffs

I bought my ear muff from wally world and they worked fine. Did not slip off the outdrive. But there again I always watch to make sure that is does not slip off. The one I got has water inlet on one side only and it works fine.

 

[nightvision]

Re: running on muffs

Hi all,<br />Thanks for all the input. I'm curious to know if you lower an alpha 1 stern drive into a barrel of water do you need to put a hose in with running water. I'm not sure where the water would exit.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: running on muffs

As long as the cooling water is going back into the barrel it does not need to be refilled. The engine will overheat running in a barrel though. It just keeps recycling the heated water and there's very little surface area to radiate the heat away.

 

[tiller7104]

Re: running on muffs

My only bad experience with muff has been on a Force with the 40-50hp gear cases. Even with the muffs made for this foot they do not work well. If you do not keep an eye on it you will wipe a water pump instantly. Good luck and keep an eye on it!