Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

andy6374

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
1,617
Re: Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

Whoaa-<br />This turned into one heck of a conversation. All in all, if you are worried about the ignition components on merc or omc, just replace em' with CDI/Rapair and forget about the worries.<br />My 2 cents-<br />andy
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

I cannot disagree.<br /><br />For what its worth. I have NEVER had an engine fail, while on the water, that wasn't someting other than MY fault.
 

TOHATSU GURU

Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2004
Messages
6,164
Re: Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

All three of mine were CD failures...Almost all on water failures are. For reasons unknown, other ignition failures seem to occur while the engine is stored. My experience has been that U.S. built engines do have a disproportionate share of electrical failures, of all types. <br /><br />And I have Never had an engine fail, while on the water, that was MY fault...Although I have launched two boats, WITHOUT drainplugs, with the obvious result :)
 

phantoms

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 14, 2005
Messages
246
Re: Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

Turns out my problem was a simple fuse. Caused by a pintched wire I had caught under the hood sometime previously (my fault). Battery was down because of rope starting and having to run in with running lights and radio on, but no charging because of that fuse.
 

boatster

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 13, 2004
Messages
331
Re: Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

Lots of good perspectives here. Lets be honest though, I haven't been around outboards for more than 5 years (just started getting into it late) and I hear and read more about OMC (can't comment on Merc) on the water failures and electric issues that I realize its just what happens with an OMC. In that short span of time I have experienced my one OMC powerpack failure on the water. I have since collected several Japanese motors and have yet to experience 1 electrical issue. Having owned only Japanese cars it seems the reliability of their vehicles and quality of build transfers quite easily over to the their outboards. When I take Rodbolt, Elvins perspective on OMC vs Japanese into factor my conclusion is that my hunch was warranted. Regardless I think I'll be buying this boat with the Johnson 70, its a 1996 model. How bad can that be? I'll have to find out. I might just look into the Rapair electronics though. :)
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

Sorry to jinx you phantoms. Those are very good points.
 

phantoms

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 14, 2005
Messages
246
Re: Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

Just poking at you, Paul. I did pick up a Black&Decker 300amp jump start box (I use jump start boxes at work)at Walmart today to take on the boat with me just in case. The 300amp is not that heavy (compared to running a second battery). I can also run my electronics while stopped fishing and know that if I need to, I can use the box to jump start a dead/bad battery. <br /><br />My spotlight will also plug into the box to make coming in at night easier. :D
 

bernieb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 9, 2003
Messages
209
Re: Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

Just a minute here, wasn't '96 a bad year for johnson that started their downfall and into bankruptcy or was the trouble with the bigger engines ?
 

jegervais

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 18, 2002
Messages
646
Re: Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

Not trying to stir the pot any further, but I had an uncle who refused to go to particular vacation spots if there wasn't a hospital with in a few miles. He died of a massive heart attack at home...<br /><br />If you're afraid its going to fail, don't buy it or keep it parked on the trailer in the garage - But what fun would that be? Like good Boy Scouts, we can all be better prepared with the appropriate saftey items, communication equipment, float plan, towing insurance etcetera.<br /><br />Like anything else that is 10+ years old, have it checked out by a qualified / competent mechanic. If something fails 2 or 3 years down the road, well, it does happen, regardless of brand. <br /><br />In a lifetime of boating, I've had a few components fail, but I've never been left stranded. I have come in the kicker once, but that's part of the preparedness on my boat. BTW - That little kicker (major Japanese brand, bought brand new) failed a fuel pump in its first year, took 8 weeks to get replacement parts from across the Pacific.<br /><br />-John
 

JasonB

Lieutenant
Joined
Feb 10, 2003
Messages
1,455
Re: Johnrude Electronics VS Japanese Electronics

I must have one of the good ones. My '76 Johnson had to have a powerpack a couple years ago. The one I removed looked original or close to. the only other electrical repair is that it needs a new starter solenoid. Horrible to have that much go wrong in the last 5 years on a 30yr old moter :)
 
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