ac-lighting connector & tachomer.

[benga]

I have a 25 hp evinrude from 1985 with a 3 pole connector intended for ac. lighting.
Unfortunately it is very difficult to get information how to use it.
I have an idea to use a rectifier and connect it to a small 12V MC-battery in order to regulate voltage before I connect it to any 12 V users. The circuit shall also have some kind of current limiter in order not to overload the electrical coils in the motor. The advantage over connecting the outlet directly to the bulbs, is that I would avoid blowing them and I could also have 12 V DC power in the boat for different purpose.
Further on I?m also thinking of installing an rpm. indicator to this connector. I believe that a standard tachometer for diesel engine would do. I mean the tachometer intended to connect to the W outlet on a generator.

I need some input in this matter.
Voltage and Amps for the windings?
Where to get a three pole electrical connector for the motor?
Circuit suggestion. Etc.
I would also like to know if someone has connected an ac lights directly to the connector with success. What lamps did you use in that case and how was it connected to the tree pole connector. Did you burn any bulbs?

Hope that we, by keeping this discussion on a technical level, will manage to get (the first) instruction how to use this connector, in this thread.
If I succeed I will share my experience on a more practical level. Everybody does not know what a rectifier look like.

Benga

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: ac-lighting connector & tachomer.

Where in the world are you getting your info? It sounds like you are talking about the tach leads which provide an AC pulse from the stator. Not intended for lighting.

 

[F_R]

Re: ac-lighting connector & tachomer.

The plug and wires to connect to the motor is part number 594110 AC Lighting Connector Kit

Probably what you want though is a 582105 Battery Charging Kit, which includes the plug and rectifier to convert the AC to DC for charging the battery. I would assume that a regular outboard tachometer would also connect to the rectifier. I don't know the # of poles or pulses though. Probably 10 pole/5 pulse.

Copy and paste "http://epc.brp.com/default.aspx?brands=ej&lang=E without the ("). Select OB accessories under the Products drop-down list.

 

[benga]

Re: ac-lighting connector & tachomer.

Hello Bhile.
I had been happy if could find the required info in the workshop manual. Unfortunately I do not have access to OMCs original manual but I have a Clymer and a Seloc workshop manual and the information given in them, about ac lighting system, is close to none.
Overall I think that the electrical drawings in those manuals are more like cable connection diagrams, and the function is left to the reader to find out. It seems that the ac lighting system is a well hidden secret. I know that it is consist of two coils in serial. I guess that they delivers voltage with same frequency as the motor. 6000 r/m gives 100 hz?
I have some thoughts about how I could build this DC charging system and how to connect the tachometer, but I need input from someone with practical experience from using this connectors. Important information is what load they have used with success. (Volt and amps.) I do not want to blew my ac lighting coil, which could be the result if I give it to much load.
The tachometer I?m thinking of is available at Biltema in Sweden, and it is intended for diesel engines as they don?t have any ignition system. It is connected to the ac side of the generator instead. This connection use to be marked with W on some car generators. The tachometer is also connected to 0V and +12 V. Cost around 35 USD.
People who can contribute to a solution are invited to share their thoughts.
Benga

 

[benga]

Re: ac-lighting connector & tachomer.

The plug and wires to connect to the motor is part number 594110 AC Lighting Connector Kit

Probably what you want though is a 582105 Battery Charging Kit, which includes the plug and rectifier to convert the AC to DC for charging the battery. I would assume that a regular outboard tachometer would also connect to the rectifier. I don't know the # of poles or pulses though. Probably 10 pole/5 pulse.

Copy and paste "http://epc.brp.com/default.aspx?brands=ej&lang=E without the ("). Select OB accessories under the Products drop-down list.

Hello F_R.
I found the page you mentioned and it looks like a Battery DC charger kit is available as you said. Do you know rating for the battery that is normally connected? It seems that there is a fuse on the lead that is supposed to be connected to the battery. Does anybody know this rating? I?m asking because I?m still thinking about making my own charger and connect it to a tacho.

 

[F_R]

Re: ac-lighting connector & tachomer.

Battery depends on how much reserve you want. A deep-cycle marine battery or a plain car battery will work. Keep in mind that the alternator only puts out 4 amps. That isn't much.

Sure, you could build up your own rectifier from 6 diodes.

I don't know anything about the tach you are considering, but I'll bet it won't work, at least not indicate the proper RPM. But like I said, I don't know anything about it. The accessories catalog says 4-35hp have a 5 pulse/revolution alternator. I assume that means you.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: ac-lighting connector & tachomer.

Hello Bhile.
I had been happy if could find the required info in the workshop manual. Unfortunately I do not have access to OMCs original manual but I have a Clymer and a Seloc workshop manual and the information given in them, about ac lighting system, is close to none.
Overall I think that the electrical drawings in those manuals are more like cable connection diagrams, and the function is left to the reader to find out. It seems that the ac lighting system is a well hidden secret. I know that it is consist of two coils in serial. I guess that they delivers voltage with same frequency as the motor. 6000 r/m gives 100 hz?
I have some thoughts about how I could build this DC charging system and how to connect the tachometer, but I need input from someone with practical experience from using this connectors. Important information is what load they have used with success. (Volt and amps.) I do not want to blew my ac lighting coil, which could be the result if I give it to much load.
The tachometer I?m thinking of is available at Biltema in Sweden, and it is intended for diesel engines as they don?t have any ignition system. It is connected to the ac side of the generator instead. This connection use to be marked with W on some car generators. The tachometer is also connected to 0V and +12 V. Cost around 35 USD.
People who can contribute to a solution are invited to share their thoughts.
Benga

Well the days not wasted. I learned something new.

 

[iwombat]

Re: ac-lighting connector & tachomer.

Honestly, you're probably better off spending the $80 on a new charging kit that mounts up properly rather than inventing something that you'll have to figure out all the mountings for.

Now, if you're bent on inventing something . . . A standard four-pole rectifier should be able to handle any 4-amp ac generator you toss at it. Dump that straight into a battery and you're good to go. You could probably use the OMC rectifier with the 2 yellow wires (not three) and be fine.

For a tach, i'd go with a tinytach. It hooks up to your coils - easy as pie.

 

[benga]

Re: ac-lighting connector & tachomer.

Hello.
Are there no people out there who knows the capacity of the ac lighting winding? Volt and amps?
I think that connection of a diode bridge is the easy part of this small project and I do also find satisfaction in doing it myself.