Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

[JPLARSON]

What is the biggest difference in auto starters vs marine starters. Can I use an auto starter in my 4.3 liter (chevy) volvo penta?

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

A car starter can blow up your boat!!!!<br /><br />Gas vapors are heavier than air and settle in the lowest part of the boat and can be ignited and explode from any sparks. Marine starters and altenators have spark arrestors to prevent this from happening.

 

[jim phillips]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

I would say that is a big diffrence

 

[McKenzie]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

If you run your blower like you should, there isn't a need to use a marine starter. First thing i do when I get in the boat is hit the blower switch. I go get things ready(lines, jackets, tend to the cooler , etc.) Takes at least five minutes. Then i open the engine hatch, sniff around, then start the motor. If everyone did the 5 minutes of letting the blower run and checked under the hatch, spark-proof distributors and starters wouldn't be neccesary. If you religiously run your blower, theres no reason not to use an automotive starter. (With exception of Coast-guard rules, but who's lookin? )

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

That's one religion that will one day get you killed should you be absent-minded and forget to run the blower! This is not a chance I would take...because I do forget here and there.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

McKenzie, why would you risk so much to save so little?

 

[McKenzie]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

Thats not the point i was trying to get across, i have a marine starter in my boat and if it fails, i'll probably replace it with a marine starter. I was merely trying to say that a marine starter is only neccesary due to absent-minded boaters. Using an automotive starter isn't a problem for those that take safety seriously. A little off topic, but i was thinking that new boats should be wired so that the starter will only engage if the blower is on.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

A little off topic, but i was thinking that new boats should be wired so that the starter will only engage if the blower is on. <br /><br />That would be 1 More Whistle, Bell, Doo-dad, That I would have to Disconnect......

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

The theory that marine starters and altenators are ony needed because people fail to put on their blowers relies on the assumptions that the blower(s) are completely affective at removing the vapors and while underway, when your blowers are off, the manual ventilation system is equally effective. It's safer to rely on no spark and little or no vapors.<br /><br />Bondo - was thinking the same thing

 

[Lou C]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

A BIG no on the auto starter, what if a small fuel leak develops under way, you stop to do some fishing, and restart, even if you run the blower it may not remove all the fumes.

 

[chris in va]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

Boy, we certainly get different opinions on automotive vs marine parts.

 

[DJ]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

You forget-one time- and a maybe BOOOOOM!!!!<br /><br />Not a chance I would take.<br /><br />By the way, if you have an "incident" and your insurance comapany finds out (and they will) you used an automotive starter, your claim is INVALID!

 

[JPLARSON]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

Thanks all. I apprecitate all the feedback. Now I WILL find a reliable, quick and resonably priced MARINE starter source. <br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[JPLARSON]

Re: Marine vs auto starter for my 4.3 liter I/O

Any recommendations on a reliable marine starter source that has their own stock and could ship overnight?<br /><br />Thanks