The rectifier in an outboard motor might be small in size when compared to other components.
Some people feel they can neglect it and still run their outboard motor.
This is why a lot of people ask if you can run an outboard motor without a rectifier.
The simple answer is no.
You should not run your outboard motor without a rectifier or with a faulty rectifier.
If you do, then a lot of the components in your boat will be damaged.
What Happens When You Run Outboard Motor Without a Good Rectifier
1) Outboard Motor Battery Will Not Be Charged
When the outboard motor is powering a boat, it is in a phase of continuous battery usage.
This can be from the energy usage from the electronic components in the boat.
This can be a fish finder or other components like the GPS devices.
In an outboard motor that is functioning well, these components can function for an extensive duration of time without problems to the boat.
But if the boat has issues like charging issues, then the battery will not function well.
This is because if the outboard motor is powered with a faulty rectifier, the battery will not be charged.
This will also affect the functionality of other components of the boat.
2) Outboard Battery Overcharge
The outboard motor rectifier helps in converting alternating current to direct current.
This helps in powering the components in the boat as well as charge the battery in the outboard motor.
But if the rectifier in the outboard motor is bad, then the voltage released from the outboard motor alternator will not be controlled.
This will lead to an excess release of volts.
This will lead to the overcharging of the battery in the outboard motor.
That is why you have to make sure that you repair a faulty outboard motor rectifier early.
This will help avoid damages to the battery due to an overcharging issue.
3) Battery Drain
As your boat is functioning, there is always a constant battery drain.
This used energy is easily replaced by a good charging system.
But if the charging system is faulty, then the battery will not be charged.
This is usually due to a faulty rectifier that cannot optimally convert the energy released from the alternator or stator.
When this occurs, a battery drain will occur as the battery energy cannot be replenished by a good charging system.
4) Damage Of Boat Electronic Components
For a boat to function well, some components will be needed in the boat.
This can be electronic components like the fish finder.
With the use of these components, there is an allowable voltage limit it can tolerate.
The battery in the boat helps in this purpose.
But for the battery to function well, the rectifier has a part to play too.
If the rectifier is sending out excess voltage, then the electronic components in the outboard motor will easily get damaged.
Is It Good To Run a Boat Outboard motor Without a Rectifier
It is very bad to run your outboard motor without a rectifier.
This will expose your outboard motor to damage.
Apart from the outboard motor battery being exposed to damage, the electronic components will be exposed to damage too.
The damage of these components will cost you more than the cost of replacing a bad rectifier.
That is why you have to make sure that you replace a bad rectifier with a good one.
If you observe that there is no rectifier in an outboard motor, make sure that you use one in the outboard motor.
That is why you have to watch out for symptoms of a bad outboard motor rectifier.
When you discover any of them, you have to make sure that you perform a thorough troubleshooting.
If after the troubleshooting you discover that the rectifier in your outboard motor is faulty, then you have to make sure that you change it.
In changing it, you have to make sure that you purchase a good one.
This can be done by purchasing the rectifier from a good brand through a reliable and approved distributor.
This will help your stator and alternator deliver energy that will boost the efficiency of your outboard motor instead of harming the outboard motor and boat.