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Looks like I will be adding a kicker this season on my 1978 Montauk for trolling and in case of main engine failure. My main engine is a 1984 Merc 75hp, 4-cyl. If I decide on a kicker with electric start, can I run it off of my current single battery? Or do I have to add a separate battery just for the kicker?

I'm looking at a similar year 9.8. I've read a lot about kickers and mounting them on a Classic 17, but have not seen anything about the battery for them, if needed. I don't really need the electric start, but just found a 9.8 of approx same year as my main listed and was wondering how the battery situation would work.

Thanks.

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Hi Jay,
Assuming that the kicker is a 12v system like your main, I can't think of any inherent reason you could not use a single battery. Under normal trolling conditions the main will be off and you'll only have a much lighter load to start your kicker.

If you are using the kicker as a back-up safety feature, I'd just be sure to start and warm up the kicker before cranking too long on the main and running down the battery. I'd guess that kicker would also have a rope start as well.

Dennis

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I agree with Dennis. Do make sure the rope start is all in place and works. I did have to monitor the connections for the fuel assembly that brought the lines to either motor. I had a quick disconnect for the kicker motor that sometimes looked attached but was partially engaged that created issues.
Garris

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Just remember that the 9.8 is a pre-mix engine that may require a separate fuel tank if your '84 75 is oil injected. '84 was the first year Mercury started the transition to oil injection for inline 6's and V6's, I don't remember if the 75 hp also was or not. Obviously you know what you have.

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My current motor is pre-mix as well, planning on running it off of the same tank with just a second fuel line coming off of the water separator.

Thanks all!