Boat Construction; Engine Compartment Ventilation - Mercury 200 OptiMax Jet Drive Service Manual

The decal needs to be placed on or near the battery box for future service reference. One 5/16 in. and one 3/8 in. hex nut are
supplied per battery for wing nut replacement. Metric hex nuts are not supplied.
Selecting the Battery Cables
Select battery cables that meet the following specifications:
• Battery cables must comply with SAE J1127 or comparable standards.
• Battery cable terminals must be soldered to cable ends to ensure good electrical contact, using electrical grade (resin flux)
solder only. Some form of mechanical connection (such as swage or crimp) is also recommended, and is required if length
of solder connection is less than 1‑1/2 times the diameter of the stranded area of the cable (ABYC standard).
• Battery should be located as close to engine as possible.
• Select proper gauge cable. The length in the chart is for one way, from battery to engine. Use the longest length cable (positive
or negative) when making a selection from the chart.
Battery Cable Length
1.1 m (up to 3‑1/2 ft)
1.1–1.8 m (3‑1/2–6 ft)
1.8–2.3 m (6–7‑1/2 ft)
2.3–2.9 m (7‑1/2– 9‑1/2 ft)
2.9–3.7 m (9‑1/2–12 ft)
3.7–4.6 m (12–15 ft)
4.6–5.8 m (15–19 ft)

Boat Construction

IMPORTANT: All applicable U.S. Coast Guard regulations for inboard engines must be complied with when constructing engine
compartment.
Care must be exercised in the design and construction of the engine compartment. Seams must be located so that any rain water
or splash, which may leak through the seams, is directed away from the engine and its air intake. Also, the passenger compartment
drainage system should not be routed directly to the engine compartment. Water that runs on or is splashed in the air intake may
enter the engine and cause serious damage to internal engine parts.
IMPORTANT: Mercury Marine will not honor any warranty claim for engine damage as a result of water entry.

Engine Compartment Ventilation

The engine compartment must provide a sufficient volume of air for engine breathing and also must vent any fumes in accordance
with industry standards (ABYC, NMMA, etc.), federal standards, and U.S. Coast Guard regulations for inboard engines. Pressure
differential between the engine compartment and atmospheric pressure must not exceed 51 mm (2 in.) of water (measured with
a manometer) at the maximum air flow rate.
90-8M0050731 MAY 2011
NOTICE - DTS & OptiMax Engines
DO NOT USE DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES!
DTS (Digital Throttle and Shift) applications and
OptiMax engines must use a marine starting
battery with 1000 MCA, 800 CCA, or 180 Ah. rating.
13.5Nm (120 lbs. in.)
IMPORTANT:
Battery cable size and length is critical. Refer to
engine installation manual for size requirements.
Place decal on or near battery box for future service
reference. 5/16" and 3/8" hex nuts supplied for wing
nut replacement. Metric hex nuts not supplied.
25 mm² (4)
35 mm² (2)
50 mm² (1)
50 mm² (0)
70 mm² (00)
95 mm² (000)
120 mm² (0000)
DO NOT
USE WING
NUTS
37-895387
3486
Minimum Cable Gauge
Jet Installation
Page 1D-7