Abstract: A switch reluctance device is used as a starter/generator for an outboard motor. The rotor of the switch reluctance device is attached to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and serves as a flywheel for the engine. The switch reluctance device is operated in a motoring mode when it is used as a starter motor for the internal combustion engine. The switch reluctance device is operated in an electrical power generating mode when the internal combustion engine is operating above a predetermined operating speed.

Abstract: An outboard motor with a manual recoil starter is provided with an electrical system that is manually actuated and provides the required electrical power to an electrical load associated with a fuel pump, fuel injectors, and ignition coils of the engine. When the operator pulls the rope of the manual recoil starter, the required electrical power for the fuel pump, ignition coils, and fuel injectors is provided by a small compact battery pack. When fully charged, the battery capacity is equal to or less than 12 ampere-hours and is sufficient to power the ignition and fuel system, but typically not sufficient to power a starter motor.

Abstract: A battery switching circuit provides a mechanism by which a plurality of electrical storage batteries can be alternatively connected in parallel or series based on the position of a manually controlled joystick of a marine positioning and maneuvering system. When the joystick is in a neutral position in which no docking motion is demanded by the marine vessel operator, the storage batteries are connected in parallel so that they can benefit from charging by an alternator or generator associated with an internal combustion engine. If the joystick is moved out of its neutral position, the batteries are immediately connected in series to provide power to a plurality of electric motors that are used to drive a plurality of impellers of the docking system.

Abstract: A magnet rotor assembly is provided with a nonmagnetic ring, which can be made of an elastomeric material, which has at least one locating protrusion extending radially outward from a first surface of the ring. It also comprises at least one locking protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the ring. A plurality of permanent magnets are embedded within the nonmagnetic ring and spaced circumferentially around the nonmagnetic ring. The ring is shaped to be received within a rotatable component of an internal combustion engine, such as a flywheel, which has an internal cylindrical surface. The locking protrusions of the ring are shaped to elastically deflect in a radially inward direction in response to contact between the locking protrusions and the internal cylindrical surface of the rotatable component when the nonmagnetic ring is forced axially into the rotatable component.