Maximum revolutions
The highest shaft speed that the outboard motor is capable of developing.
Theoretically, the speed of rotation of the propeller (or turbine — see "Motor type") depends on the engine speed, and, accordingly, the speed that the boat is capable of developing. However, in addition to this indicator, many other factors also affect the performance of the motor — engine power (see above), gear ratio (see below), propeller design, etc. As a result, situations are quite normal when a more powerful and high-speed motor has lower revolutions than the weaker one. Therefore, this parameter is, in fact, a reference one, and has almost no practical value when choosing. Unless it can be noted that high-speed motors are more susceptible to noise and vibration than low-speed ones; however, this moment can be compensated by the use of various technical tricks.
Capacity
The working volume of a gasoline outboard engine (see "Engine type"). This term usually means the total working volume of the cylinders.
The larger this value, the higher the motor power, usually (see the relevant paragraph). At the same time, with an increase in the working volume, fuel consumption, weight and dimensions of the unit also increase; and power depends not only on this indicator, but also on a number of other factors — ranging from the number of strokes (see "Engine duty cycle") or the presence of turbocharging (see below) and ending with specific design features. Therefore, situations are not excluded when a smaller engine will have more power, and vice versa.
Piston diameter
The diameter of a single piston in a gasoline (see "Engine type") outboard motor. In most cases, this parameter is purely reference; situations where data on the piston diameter is really needed are extremely rare — usually during the repair or maintenance of the engine.
Piston stroke
The working stroke is the distance between the two extreme positions of the piston in a gasoline (see "Engine type") outboard motor. In most cases, this parameter is purely reference; situations where such data is really needed are extremely rare — usually during the repair or maintenance of the engine.
Generator system
Possibility to use a petrol engine generator(see "Engine type") to power an external load.
The generator is an indispensable element in the design of any petrol engine — it is responsible for creating the spark necessary for ignition. However, not every outboard motor has the ability to power an external load from this generator — therefore, if such an opportunity is important to you, you should choose a model where it is directly stated. And
the generator system can come in handy, first of all, if you plan to use additional equipment on the boat — power from the generator is in a number of ways more convenient than from autonomous batteries, and it is for it that many navigation systems, echolocation, radio communications and other instruments and equipment are made . In addition, if necessary, devices outside the boat can also be powered from the generator — for example, a starting charger for a car.
Maximum current strength
The highest current that the generator system installed in the outboard engine is capable of delivering (see above). The characteristics of the load that can be connected to the generator depend on this indicator: its total current consumption should not be higher than the maximum current of the generator, otherwise the latter will work with overload, which is fraught with malfunctions and even accidents. Also, this information is useful if you plan to use the generator to charge batteries (car or boat): each battery has its own charging current, and the power source must match them.
Fuel tank
The type of fuel tank used by the gasoline outboard motor (see "Engine type").
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Built -in. As the name implies, in such engines the fuel tank is an integral structural element. This eliminates the need for the user to look for a separate fuel tank and build a system for supplying gasoline from the tank to the engine. On the other hand, the tank significantly increases the dimensions and weight of the entire structure, which is especially important for two-wheel tractor control (see below). Therefore, for powerful engines that consume a lot of fuel and require volumetric tanks for its storage, this option is poorly suited — it is typical for relatively modest models whose power does not exceed 25 hp.
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External. This category includes engines that do not have built-in fuel tanks and are designed to supply fuel from a separately located container through a special hose. The tank itself is most often supplied as a kit, but there are exceptions. However, anyway, the absence of a fuel tank directly in the motor housing makes the motor itself lighter, more compact and more mobile (the latter is relevant for models with a two-wheel tractor control system, see below). And for powerful high consumption units that require appropriate tanks, this is generally the only available option — otherwise the motor would turn out to be too heavy and bulky.
Fuel tank volume
The total volume of the fuel tank provided in the design or delivery set of the outboard motor (depending on the type of tank — see "Fuel tank").
The larger the capacity of the fuel tank, the longer the engine will be able to work without refueling, the less often it will be necessary to replenish the fuel supply in the tank. On the other hand, volumetric tanks have appropriate dimensions and weight, especially when filled; the latter is especially critical for motors with built-in tanks (see above).
Recommended fuel
The type of gasoline recommended for use in an internal combustion engine outboard (see "Engine Type"). In fact, this paragraph indicates gasoline with the lowest octane rating that is allowed to be used in the engine; higher rates are allowed, lower ones are highly undesirable, if not outright prohibited.
The octane number is an indicator that determines the resistance of a particular brand of gasoline to detonation (self-ignition during compression in the cylinder). Detonation is a very undesirable phenomenon, because. it leads to an increase in engine loads simultaneously with a decrease in its power and an increase in the amount of harmful substances in the exhaust gases. And this phenomenon occurs in cases where the engine uses gasoline with lower octane numbers than those for which the unit is designed.
Automobile gasoline, which is also used for refueling boat engines, is marked with the AI or RON index; the first option is used in the characteristics of east european motors, the second — in foreign ones. However, in both indexes, the number after the letters means the octane number. The higher this number, the more demanding the engine is on fuel quality. Thus, for example, a unit under AI-92 will be able to work normally with AI-95, but AI-90 or AI-87 cannot be filled into it. "Record holders" for unpretentiousness today are engines that can work even on the AI-76; but they are a rare exception to the general rule.