Home Forum Ask A Member 1957 35hp Johnson Generator Question

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  • #7690
    smjaws1
    Participant

      You guys have done a great job helping me with my flywheel removal, I’ll bring up another issue. When I bought this motor I didn’t realize it had a generator until I got it home. Unfortunately I have found very little information on the internet. I plan on using a 12 volt battery. I don’t have a gauge or regulator. I think I can use a vintage Harley 6 volt regulator that I can find and then search for a gauge that would fit in the starter plate. I don’t know if the generator would have enough amp output to keep a 12 volt battery charged. So is it worth messing with it or just sell the generator. Advise and opinions please

      #61840
      frankr
      Participant

        US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK

        Will it keep a battery charged? Of course it will—if you don’t take more juice out of the battery than the gen puts back in. Running a trolling motor would be a good example.

        People will be quick to point out that the gen "only" puts out 10 Amps. I submit to you that many/most more modern motors only put out 5 or 6 Amps. But of course the other side of the argument is that the gen puts out nothing at idle.

        #61841
        garry-in-michigan
        Participant

          Lifetime Member

          The 12 volt Harley Davidson solid state regulator is often mentioned because it is the only one available which is limited to ten amps. Hopefully the Gilmer drive belt is in good shape, and the belt drive gear on the flywheel is firmly attached. You will also need an ampmeter. . . 🙂

          #61864
          smjaws1
          Participant

            Use a 12 volt regulator vs 6 volt? Since I am using a 12 volt battery?

            #61865
            wbeaton
            Participant
              quote smjaws1:

              Use a 12 volt regulator vs 6 volt? Since I am using a 12 volt battery?

              Its a 12V generator so use a 12V regulator.

              Wayne
              Upper Canada Chapter

              uccaomci.com

              #61874
              frankr
              Participant

                US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK
                quote smjaws1:

                Use a 12 volt regulator vs 6 volt? Since I am using a 12 volt battery?

                In your search, the regulator must be for a DC generator, 12 Volt, 10 Amp, "A" field type. Harley did have such a thing, no car has only a 10 Amp generator.

                #61875
                Anonymous

                  Here are some past threads:

                  viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10580&p=55765&hilit=harley+regulator#p55765
                  viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8501&p=44372&hilit=harley+regulator#p44372

                  #61876
                  RICHARD A. WHITE
                  Participant

                    Lifetime Member

                    I would submit throwing this mud in the mix…. for the most part, when would you need the genny part operating? If the motor is setup properly, it would require very little juice to start. Once started no juice would be required. I would guess to run lights, but as Frank stated, it only puts out when at high RPM, so running your lights at night would be off battery solely as in my neck of the woods idle speed after dark.

                    http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
                    classicomctools@gmail.com

                    #61878
                    chinewalker
                    Participant

                      I suggest you ditch the generator and go for a modern solar charger if you really need to keep the battery topped off. Simple, relatively inexpensive, lighter weight.

                      #61880
                      wbeaton
                      Participant

                        I agree, Richard. Generators are seldom necessary for most outboard powered boats. However, I think its better to have a charging system than not. I have the alternator option on my 1955 Mercury MK55. It keeps the battery fully charged all season so I never need to pull it out for charging. The battery is used for my navigation lights (which I frequently use) and for the fish finder I used all last week while on vacation.

                        I’m also planning to use two 40 hp Johnsons with generators on a small cabin cruiser that I’m restoring. The generators output full amps at approx. 2000 rpm, which is well below cruising rpm. Charging is important for maintaining the batteries while running the chartplotter, VHF radio, lights and 12V ports. I plan to spend entire weekends on the boat so my situation is not normal.

                        Solar panels work great for charging, but I like things to look period correct as much as possible. Its hard to hide a solar panel.

                        Wayne
                        Upper Canada Chapter

                        uccaomci.com

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