Wiktor Wise
Electric chokes are used in boats to regulate the air and fuel mixture in the engine, ensuring smooth operation. They are typically activated by an electric solenoid, which moves the choke plate to control the airflow. Starting an electric choke involves understanding the choke mechanism, performing basic maintenance, and following the correct starting procedure. Issues with the choke can include a bad key switch, broken wires, or fuel leaks, which may require troubleshooting and repairs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How an electric choke works | An electric choke is a solenoid that magnetically draws up a steel plunger linked to the butterflies. |
| The choke should have power when the key is on. | |
| The choke will open after a set amount of time, regardless of whether the engine is warm or not. | |
| When the engine is cold, the choke butterfly should be closed. | |
| As the engine warms up, the choke butterfly should gradually open. | |
| Troubleshooting | If the choke is not working, there could be a bad key switch, a bad choke, or a broken wire between the choke and key switch. |
| If you have to add a squirt of gas to get going, your choke is not working properly. | |
| The solenoid base may be weak due to heat damage. | |
| The plunger may be rubbing on wires. |
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What You'll Learn
Troubleshooting electric choke issues
Identify the Problem
Firstly, it's important to understand the symptoms and context of the issue. Are you experiencing a cold start problem, where the engine runs briefly and then dies? Does the choke open too much or too soon, causing difficulties in cranking the boat? Is the choke not activating at all when you push the key?
Check the Choke Plate Position
Before starting the engine, ensure the choke plate is in the correct position. The choke butterfly should be closed when the engine is cold. If it's already open, try hitting the throttle lever once prior to starting to allow the choke plate to return to the closed position.
Inspect the Fuel System
If you have to add fuel to the carburettor to get the engine started, it indicates a problem with the fuel system. Check for fuel leaks, especially in the fuel hose, and ensure there is sufficient fuel in the carburettor.
Test the Key Switch and Wiring
If the choke fails to activate when you push the key, the issue could be with the key switch or wiring. Check the voltage on the choke wire (usually yellow with a black stripe) while a helper holds the key switch in the "RUN" position. If you're not receiving 12V, there may be a problem with the key switch or a broken wire between it and the choke.
Examine the Choke Mechanism
The choke itself may be faulty. Check if the choke mechanism moves as intended. If it doesn't, there could be an issue with the ground contacts, the solenoid, or the plunger. Clean the contacts and plunger, and ensure the plunger isn't rubbing on any wires. If the solenoid is weak, you can try removing it and adding thin washers under the solenoid base to shim it down and reinstall it, improving the magnetic field's contact with the plunger.
Understand Normal Choke Behaviour
It's important to know that electric chokes operate like an egg timer. After a set time with the key on, the choke will open, regardless of engine temperature. This is normal behaviour, and if the engine is cold, it may require additional fuel to start.
By systematically checking these potential issues, you should be able to identify and resolve most electric choke problems on your boat.
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$11.03
Understanding the function of an electric choke
An electric choke is an essential component in power electronics, smoothing voltage and current. It is designed to block higher-frequency alternating currents (AC) while allowing direct current (DC) and lower-frequency ACs to pass through a circuit. The choke's low electrical resistance enables both AC and DC to pass with minimal power loss, but its reactance limits the amount of AC that can pass through.
Electric chokes are typically constructed with a coil of insulated wire wound around a magnetic core, resembling a spring. The choke's impedance increases with frequency. Some electric chokes consist of a doughnut-shaped ferrite bead strung on a wire, often seen in computer cables.
In the context of boats, electric chokes are used to address cold start problems. When the key is in the "RUN" position, pushing the key switch activates the choke, sending 12V down a yellow/black wire. If the choke is not working, it could be due to a bad key switch, a broken wire between the choke and key switch, or a bad fuel hose.
To ensure proper choke function, the throttle lever should be hit once before starting, allowing the choke plate to release itself to the closed position. When the engine starts, the choke should open only slightly and then gradually open further as the engine warms up, reaching a fully open position within a few minutes.
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How to wire an electric choke
An electric choke is like having the choke on an egg timer. After a set amount of time of having the key on, the choke will open, regardless of whether the engine is warm or not.
To wire an electric choke, you will need to connect it to a power source. The power source should not be the coil or ignition, as this could cause the choke to function improperly, lead to bad gas mileage, and potentially cause a misfire. Instead, the choke should be wired to the S terminal of the alternator. This way, the choke will only receive voltage when the engine is running, not just when the ignition is on.
The electric choke has two wiring connections, one positive and one negative. The negative lead should be connected to any good engine ground. The positive lead should be connected to any circuit that is hot only when the engine is running. Do not connect the positive lead to the distributor side of the coil.
The choke wire is typically yellow with a black stripe. With the key in the "Run" position, pushing the key switch in will activate the choke, sending 12V down the wire to the choke.
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Electric choke not working when pushing the key in
If your electric choke is not working when you push the key in, there are a few potential causes. Firstly, check if you have a bad key switch, a bad choke, or a broken wire between the choke and key switch. The choke wire is typically yellow with a black stripe. With the key in the "RUN" position, the key switch sends 12V down the yellow/black wire to activate the choke. Check the voltage on this wire at the choke while someone else holds the key switch in the pushed-in position. If you don't get 12V, there may be an issue with the wiring.
Another potential issue could be a faulty fuel hose. Check for any leaks and replace the hose if necessary.
Additionally, the choke's solenoid may be the problem. Over time, solenoids can become weak due to heat exposure. Inspect the solenoid for any signs of damage or wear and consider cleaning or replacing it if necessary.
Finally, ensure that the choke plate is functioning correctly. Before starting the engine, hit the throttle lever once to allow the choke plate to return to the closed position. If the choke is not functioning properly, you may need to adjust it or seek further troubleshooting advice.
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Electric choke installation
Electric chokes are like egg timers for your boat engine. After a set amount of time with the key on, the choke will open, regardless of whether the engine is warm or not. This process should take about a minute.
If you are experiencing problems with your electric choke, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, hit the throttle lever once before starting the engine. This should allow the choke plate to release itself and move into the closed position. If this doesn't work, you may need to add a small amount of gas to get going, which indicates that your choke is not functioning properly.
If you are installing a new electric choke, you will need to identify the best place to get positive power for the choke. One option is to use the coil, although the power supply here may be slightly less than 12V, which some people believe is insufficient. Alternatively, you can use the wire going to the ballast resistor, which provides a full 12V.
If you are experiencing issues with your electric choke, it may be due to a weak solenoid. Over time, the solenoid can weaken due to heat exposure. To fix this, you can remove the solenoid, add two thin 1/4-20 S/S washers under the solenoid base, and then reinstall it. This will give the magnet field more area to grab onto the plunger.
Additionally, make sure that the plunger is not rubbing against any wires. You should also check if the object the solenoid is supposed to move is moving as planned. If it is not, you may need to address issues such as a bad ground or a bad solenoid.
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Frequently asked questions
You could have a bad key switch, a bad choke, or a broken wire between the choke and key switch. Check the voltage on the wire at the choke while someone else pushes the key switch in. If you don't get 12V, you might need to test with different coloured wires.
In the outboard world, the normal position for the choke plate when cold is wide open. In the automotive and marine world, the normal position is closed.
An electric choke is a solenoid that magnetically draws up a little steel plunger linked to the butterflies. It is mounted directly to the carburetor.
You can simply push the key in, and the electric choke will squirt some gas every second or so. The choke is tied to the throttle, so you can also pull the throttle lever out from its mount and then make short pumps forward to choke the engine.
