Home Forum Ask A Member Neptune AA1

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  • #300889
    RichardMechler
    Participant

      US Member

      Greetings, ya’ll!  This is my first antique outboard and I would like to get it running.  So far, I have cleaned under the flywheel and discovered no spark.  Points were corroded so I cleaned them up nicely; still no spark.  I tried to measure the condenser and those measurements didn’t seem to make sense.  I would like to start by replacing the condenser; then go from there.  Here’s what we have:

      Neptune

      Model-aa1

      Serial No.  C224UU

      Questions:

      My Neptune Model No. is AA1.  I see a lot of AA1-A.  What’s the difference?

      My Neptune AA1 motor has a condenser labeled FG471-B.  I bought an Operating Instructions Manual off eBay for Models WC-1 and AA1A, 1.7hp motors thinking that this manual would apply to my motor.  The manual says the part number for the condenser FG-3693.  Is there a difference between the FG471-B and the FG-3693.  Where can I get one?

      The skeg at the bottom of the motor has been broken off.  Is there a way to add material back to the skeg?

      Thanks in advance!

      #300917
      Sam M.
      Participant

        Canada Member

        Here are 2 links that might help you:

        https://www.leeroysramblings.com/KnuckleNews-MightyMite.html

        https://www.aomci.org/forums/topic/identify-neptune-motor/

        Sorry, I am no help with your condenser questions, nor have I ever repaired a skeg.

        1 user thanked author for this post.
        #300918
        Waunnaboat
        Participant

          US Junior Member

          Richard,

          I have just private messaged you with a bunch of stuff.

          "Outboards seem to multiply exponentially..........I find that for every finished project, there are two more waiting to be completed."

          1 user thanked author for this post.
          #300949
          RichardMechler
          Participant

            US Member

            Thanks for the info guys; much appreciated!

            Regarding fuel mixture:

            These operating instructions call for 1/2 pint Mobil Outboard, or equivalent, (SAE No. 40 Parafin Base Oil) to one gallon REGULAR gasoline.  Mix before pouring into tank.

            Could someone define these instructions in modern terms so I don’t burn things up IF we can get spark and get this little guy running again!

            #300950
            seakaye12
            Participant

              US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK

              There are a lot of choices in regards to condensors today.  Some of us are hesitant to use “NOS” condensors even if they are available.

              There is an alternative in the form of ceramic caps available through electronics suppliers like Mouser .  There are articles written by Western Reserve Chapter member Bill Mohat that are very informative.

              Find them here:

              https://wrcoutboards.org/magazine-articles/d.

              The image shows how condensor/capacitor technology has changed

              2 users thanked author for this post.
              #300952
              Waunnaboat
              Participant

                US Junior Member

                Any 2-stroke oil, whether it be for outboards or lawn mowers, should probably work(unless somebody here disagrees).  I just found a 1 gallon jug of it because it’s a lot cheaper to buy in larger quantities.  get one of those mixing containers like in the picture.  It doesn’t really mater the shape of the container as long as it measures by ounces, and having a table of oil mixes can be very helpful 16 ounces to a pint can get confusing). I recommend getting one of those gas cans with the big yellow push button because I’ve found them to be very easy to use.  Those are around 2.5 gallons, so putting 2 gallons of gas and then a pint of oil should easily fit.  2 gallons will probably go by surprisingly fast so I wouldn’t bother getting anything smaller regardless of gas can brand.  Fill it up with as close as you can get to 2 gallons of gas or whatever fits in your can, but leave enough space for a bit of oil.  I always get premium, but regular gas can probably do because gas in the 50s was not as great as modern gas. then pour the oil in the can and shake it well.

                "Outboards seem to multiply exponentially..........I find that for every finished project, there are two more waiting to be completed."

                1 user thanked author for this post.
                #300954
                Sam M.
                Participant

                  Canada Member

                  1/2 a pint of oil per gallon of gasoline means you will be creating a ratio of 1 part oil to 16 parts gasoline.  You want to use oil that says TC-W3 on it.  (meaning Two Cycle, Water cooled, version 3) This means it satisfies the most up to date requirements for a two stroke water cooled engine like yours.  (Yes TC-W3 oil was not a thing in the 1950s but it is better for your engine than what they had then because it should create less carbon deposits inside the engine and should stay mixed better with the gas, and probably more reasons I don’t remember involving lubrication too).

                  I use this to figure out how much oil to put in the amount of gas I buy:

                  https://www.premixcalculator.com/

                  What you want to do it bring a clean and 100% empty gas can to the gas station.  Don’t bring the gas tank mounted on your motor, as pure oil or pure gas may stay unmixed in the fuel line and you don’t want that.  Once you have a gas can (there are soooo many vintage ones in good shape for cheap on Facebook Marketplace), bring it to as gas station that sells ethanol-free gas.

                  Ethanol is added to most gas nowadays to “reduce” emissions (but fossil fuels are consummed to produce it), however it is not suitable for older engines as rubber parts that were not designed for ethanol compatability don’t last as long (get brittle I think) and ethanol can cause corrosion.  So look for ethanol-free gas.  It may be called recreational or marine gas but just because gas may have one of those labels does not mean it will be ethanol-free. It’s up to you to check.  However, there are people who use ethanol gas in older engines with a minumum of trouble.  Ethanol-free is simply my reccomendation based on lots of online research.  I have not fuelled up any of my outboards or small engines with ethanol gas, and I do not plan to.

                  Once you find your gas station, have your gas can, your oil, something to measure your oil in, and have figured out how much fuel you want,  measure half of the total amount of required oil and pour it in the gas can.  Next, put half of the amount of gas you want in the gas can.  Use the guage of the fuel pump for that.  Next, put in the 2nd half of the total amount of oil you need.  Now put in the 2nd half of the gas you need.  Now seal the gas can and shake.  The shaking and specific order of gas and oil addition both help the fuel and oil mix together so your engine is thoroughly lubricated.

                  If you notice you accidentally put a little too much gas in, add a touch more oil.  Sadly, there have been many two stroke engine failures because of insufficient oil so a little more oil is safer for your outboard than a little less.  I.e. Your engine will be fine at 15 to 1.  In fact, I have run a 16 to 1 engine at around 14.5 to 1. (There was some disagreement between my oil bottle and oil measuring device).  Modern two stroke oils are thinner than older ones, according to what I’ve read anyway.  I haven’t tested.  This means you shouldn’t have to worry about the fuel mix being too thick to reach the internal componants if you put in a touch of extra oil as the fuel mixture would likely have been thicker in the 1950s anyway.

                  2 final notes:

                  1 – Air cooled engines run hotter than water cooled engines, so air cooled two stroke oil (for leaf blowers, weed whackers and the like) is not the best choice for your engine.  TC-W3 oil is designed for the operating tempurature of a water cooled engine like yours.  I think that using the correct oil will aid in heat dissipation, but you should fact check me on that.

                  2 – Don’t forget about lubricating the lower unit gears.  Yours could either take grease or oil.  I don’t know which, but would think likely grease.  Do not use NLGI #2 grease (commonly found thickness) as it’s too thick.  Many outboard collectord have had success with NLGI #0 greases like John Deere Corn Head grease in lower units requiring grease.  If yours takes oil, there are plenty of marine outboard gearcase oils to choose from.

                  I hope this helps you.

                  Have fun getting it running!!!😁

                  1 user thanked author for this post.
                  #300960
                  Waunnaboat
                  Participant

                    US Junior Member

                    Lower unit use John Deer Corn Head Grease.  It works great for the 2 mighty mites I’ve had running.  There are 3 screws behind the propeller, and you need to remove the two furthest apart for regreasing.  Pull out the propeller assembly, clean up the gears and gearcase as best as possible, put an excessive amount of grease in the bottom of the gearcase and in the little cavity behind the prop shaft gear, and then sandwich it all back together.  The gasket at this seam may be bad, but using the old one to cut out a new one from any old gasket material works find.  push the prop shaft assembly back into the gearcase, and you know that you have a good amount of grease when a good amount spills out.  If you ever need to drain water from the gearcase(although you probably shoulden’t have to if you put a new gasket in), the middle screw can be unscrewed.

                    "Outboards seem to multiply exponentially..........I find that for every finished project, there are two more waiting to be completed."

                    2 users thanked author for this post.
                    #300984
                    RichardMechler
                    Participant

                      US Member

                      This is fun stuff!  Thanks for the replies and the directions to get this little motor up and running.

                      Is there a way to check the coil on this Neptune AA1?  Sorry, I’m a bit electronically challenged but I can learn.

                      #300986
                      Gary Haight
                      Participant

                        US Member

                        Is there any way that you can take a picture of the magneto plate under the flywheel and post it up here? Seeing what kind of points, condenser and coil setup you have will help others help you. Neptune used, I know of, 3 different manufacturers over the years for there magneto set ups. Depending on what brand you have, people may have parts that you may need. Also take a picture of your broken lower unit. I may have one that you can have. Just pay me to ship it.

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