Installation; Installing Outboard; Fastening Security Line; Battery Installation - Electric Start Models - Mercury 20 Manual

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INSTALLATION

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INSTALLING OUTBOARD

Note: If your outboard is a remote control electric start model, follow instructions
in the outboard installation manual (provided with the outboard) for installing
remote steering, shift and throttle cables and remote wiring harness.
Boat Transom Height Requirement
1
Measure the transom height of your boat. The boat bottom should be aligned
or be within 1 in. (25mm) above the anti-ventilation plate (a) of the outboard.
Installing Outboard on Transom
2
Place outboard on center line of transom.
3
Tighten transom clamp handles.
4
To prevent loss of outboard overboard, fasten outboard by drilling two 5/16 in.
(7.9 mm) holes through the transom using transom clamp holes as a template.
Fasten with two bolts (a), flat washers (b) and locknuts (c). Use a marine
waterproofing sealer in holes and around bolts to make the installation water
tight.
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FASTENING SECURITY LINE

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The primary purpose for installing a security line is to prevent loss of the
outboard if the outboard becomes detached from the boat transom.
An effective security line should be of a working strength of at least five times the
weight of the outboard.
The security line should be attached between the boat and outboard following one
of these steps.
Step 1. The length of the security line should be short enough and affixed in a
manner to prevent the outboard from rising up and disengaging off the boat
transom.
Step 2. The length of the security line should be long enough and affixed in a
manner to permit a detached outboard to submerge completely behind the boat
and stop running but not too short that could allow the outboard to continue running
and propel itself back into the boat.
WARNING
If the length of security line being used is long enough to allow the out-
board to disengage off the boat transom but is too short to not allow the
outboard to submerge behind the boat and stop running, the outboard
could continue running and propel itself back into the boat with the pro-
peller rotating under power. This exposes the occupants to serious injury
or death.
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BATTERY INSTALLATION - ELECTRIC START MODELS

Mounting Battery
6
Follow battery manufacturer's instructions carefully. Mount battery in the boat
so it is secured against movement, preferably in a battery box. Make sure
battery is equipped with a nonconductive shield to prevent accidental shorting
of battery terminals.
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BATTERY CONNECTIONS

Connecting Outboard Battery Cables
7
First, connect the red battery cable to the (+) positive battery terminal and then
connect the black battery cable to the (-) negative battery terminal.
Disconnecting Outboard Battery Cables
8
First, disconnect the black battery cable from the (-) negative terminal and then
disconnect the red battery cable from the (+) positive terminal.
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PROPELLER SELECTION

9
The propeller supplied with your outboard provides the best overall
performance under average operating conditions.
Alternative propellers are available for specific boating requirements. See your
outboard dealer.
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TRANSPORTING

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CARRYING YOUR OUTBOARD

1
Your outboard has a carrying handle located in front and a rear hand grip in the
bottom cowl.
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TRAILERING YOUR BOAT

2
Your boat should be trailered with the outboard tilted down (normal operating
position).
IMPORTANT: The tilt lock and shallow water drive feature (tiller handle
models) on the outboard are not intended to support the outboard in the
tilted position when trailering your boat.
3
If additional ground clearance is required, the outboard should be tilted up
using an outboard support bar. Additional clearance may be needed for
railroad crossings, driveways, and trailer bouncing.
4
Set the gear shift into forward gear. This prevents the propeller from spinning
freely and allows the outboard to tilt up if hit from the front.
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