Battery box location

[Skoontz]

We are gunna make MsKTDoodle an electric start A hydro...I'm thinking and tell me if I'm off here, the best place to start top place the battery box is just in front of the dash board, centered in the cockpit. Even with the battery, electic starter and rigging, she is still under weight in AXS and way under weight in A hydro...

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Bill Huson]

How about . . .

back against the transom? That's where our fleaweight ASH rent-a-driver piled the 55 lbs of lead needed to make her legal.

At the time an electric start A engine was not legal. Even though the OMC 15 had mounts for the electric starter the SORC ruled adding an electric starter wasn't legal since the OMC A racing motor did not come so equipped. Might want to check the rules . . .

[bh/]

If u are underweight in AX , then where are u putting the ballast now? If u are satisfied it is in the right spot, then put the battery there. Four wheel theory [and practice] would suggest putting it near the Cof G, ie; amidship, for best handling, and directional stability. But most
small outboarders place their ballast, whether it be lead/iron, fuel or battery near the transom. This could just be logistics, as wiring/plumbing is simplified.
I am a proponent of electric starting in kneelers, for safety reasons, if no other.

[pops67g]

Be careful with the balance

Putting weight on the dash, or further forward, in most hydros has a detrimental effect on the handling. We tried 6 lbs. on the dash of one of our DMH's and the boat never felt right. It would dive the right sponson in the turns and make the boat want to hook. When that weight was relocated toward the rear it was way better.

[Richard K.C. Mo.]

bh/?

Elec. start, Brian i thought i read where you have elec start on your D merc, although i've been wrong before.

What i'm after is some pics of such a setup, if you don't mind sharing.
RichardKCMo

[bh/]

...At the time an electric start A engine was not legal. Even though the OMC 15 had mounts for the electric starter the SORC ruled adding an electric starter wasn't legal since the OMC A racing motor did not come so equipped. Might want to check the rules . . .

I have never seen an electric starting 'A', but the 2007 rules allow it. [spelling is theirs]
No idea when the change came into play.

2007 OMC A ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS (CLASS A)
It is the intent of the Stock Outboard Commission that the engine in this class be raced as
received from the manufacturer, without modification. Following is a list of restrictions,
descriptions, and modifications, which apply to this engine.

1. It is permissible to leave the gearcase unpainted (bare Aluminum).
............
32. It is permissible to use an electric starter, as provided by the motor manufacturer and limited to a 12 volt DC system. The associated electric start flywheel is also allowed.
............
44. Any boden cable clamp may be used to accommodate the use of an electric starter

[bh/]

RichardK.C.Mo.

Elec. start, Brian i thought i read where you have elec start on your D merc, although i've been wrong before.RichardKCMo

Richard, your memory is as good as mine, poor, but still works. There are a few of us in Reg2 using electric starts on Mercs. Dave Scott runs his 44xs Dmod with one, Morgan runs his DSH 44xs with electric start & choke, and I have always run my D classics [M58H] with them.
Mercs are easy, as u just bolt a stock starter[with correct pinion gear] onto the cast in boss on the crank case, fit a ring gear, a 10g cable out to a solenoid, [i like mine on the transom] and two cables [one ground] to a 12v battery, which in my case i borrow from the wifes lawn mower.
It does not take much to roll over a 44" Merc. Any motorcycle battery will do. They run about ten pounds and sit in the bottom of the boat against the transom.
Run a pair of light wires from the solenoid to a switch on the dash, and your good to go. With DSH weights now at 480#, if the driver is under 200#, you should be close to weight.
Safety is my main issue, and its getting hard to find guys to rope Dmods with ignition timing locked in full advance [i won't any more]
Before Kevlars and kill switches , the DSH driver would turn around in the cockpit, plant his left foot on the transom, and whale away until it started. Now few do, and require a guy in the water to pull it. Not so bad if one has a strong left arm, but it is awkward for right handers, and I see people loosing their balance as the boat pulls away.
It is also handy to be able to re-start in the water in case of a flame out. I can post a pic, but its just stock Merc stuff.
and the battery is in the snow blower.

[Skoontz]

Thanks for the input guys....Much help as always. I figure it's just a more user friendly way for a rookie driver to gain independance...Since KT can't yet start her motor in the water, this way she hits a button and Varrooop Varrooop to the inside front she goes.....

[Richard K.C. Mo.]

elec. start

Brian , thanks i don't think i've seen one with a starter at any mod races i've been to, but as you say have seen a lot of near accidents.
RichardKCMo