Battery-less EFI systems for portable outboards

The company said the magneto powered EFI system is a breakthrough feature, meaning the EFI can operate when the battery is low, flat or even disconnected.

Most EFI systems, said Mercury, require a battery to operate correctly because, during start-up, the engine control unit needs power to read ambient conditions and correctly pressurise the fuel system before the engine begins cranking, which means if the battery is flat or low the system won't work.

Mercury said with its battery-free EFI system, the first pull on the starter rope charges the EFI electrical and fuel systems via a dedicated circuit linked to the flywheel - eliminating the need for the battery - and a second pull of the rope allows the system to start as if there was a battery connected.

In addition, Mercury said all the key features of EFI systems (turn-key starting, smooth and consistent operation in all conditions, excellent acceleration and top speed) haven't previously been available on manual-start engines.

The battery-free EFI system comes as standard in both electric start and manual start models, which Mercury said is a great option for smaller boat owners who can select a manual start model and still benefit from the EFI technology without the added weight of a battery and electric start system.

The system, it said, is also far simpler than the majority of other options on the market, which expect operators to remove the cowl, flywheel cover and other parts of the outboard to gain access to the top of the flywheel to wrap a rope around it.

Mercury said imagine the peace-of-mind having a full manual recoil system as backup if you've accidentally drained your battery from running a fishfinder or electric trolling motor.

For more information, visit www.mercurymarine.com.au