Starter Amperage Draw

[Greg Mrozinski]

Does anyone know what the average amperage draw of a starter for a 1983 Johnson 115 Hp motor? I am moving my batteries to the front of my boat and I am trying to determine the proper battery cable size for the run back to the engine.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Starter Amperage Draw

Up to 200 AMP depending on the starter manufacturer.

 

[F_R]

Re: Starter Amperage Draw

Well maybe that with a locked rotor. But more like 100 amps is normal. And even less than that with the new permanent magnet starters.

 

[ChrisMA]

Re: Starter Amperage Draw

Typical amperage draw is a ton of amps.

I have a 16' starcraft with a 40hp 3cyl Yamaha and tried to move the Optima bluetop 27 series starting battery to the bow with 15 feet of 4 gauge wire. Couldn't come close to getting the motor to start. I think I would have to use 2/0 or larger cable to minimize the voltage drop. 12v systems do not tolerate voltage drop well at all.

The better question is how many feet long do you intend on having the cables?

Chris

 

[Fed]

Re: Starter Amperage Draw

1988 OEM Manual
Battery cable extensions
Minimum recommended gauge
60 to 140HP and V6 motors.
Total extended length
10' --->4 gauge
15' --->3 gauge
20' --->1 gauge

 

[ezeke]

Re: Starter Amperage Draw

The factory manual for the 1980 115 lists the amps in the specifications page: 160 for Bosch starter, 200 for the Pestolite.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Starter Amperage Draw

Great! Thanks for all the valuable input guys.