Classic AquaSport

Aquasport Mechanicals - things that need a wrench, screwdriver or multimeter => Trolling Motors and Kickers => Topic started by: slvrlng on February 27, 2013, 08:01:49 PM

Title: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: slvrlng on February 27, 2013, 08:01:49 PM
Since I mix my gas because the VRO is disconnected I am thinking about one of these as a kicker.
What do you think? Yes I know its Chinese, but it looks like a viable option.

http://golehr.com/new/lehr-9-9-flyer/ (http://golehr.com/new/lehr-9-9-flyer/)
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: Circle Hooked on February 27, 2013, 08:34:15 PM
I do like the idea but Lew since you premix already find yourself a good ole made in USA Jonnyrude to match the big one
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: RickK on February 27, 2013, 08:50:10 PM
I guess I'm confused - what does premixing your fuel have to do with a propane fueled kicker.  Are you going to hook up your BBQ tank to your kicker?
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: slvrlng on February 27, 2013, 09:05:50 PM
I don't want a 2 stroke kicker. Personal preference. So, the only choice is a 4 stroke or this. This is a cool idea and I can use the tank for the grill if we camp.
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: slvrlng on February 27, 2013, 09:07:34 PM
If i get a 4 stroke I would have to have a tank full of gas on the deck, which I don't want.
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: wingtime on February 27, 2013, 09:35:20 PM
Lewis, a kicker with a separate fuel supply is a much better fail safe than one sharing the main fuel tank. So a fourstroke with its own tank is a good idea.
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: GoneFission on February 27, 2013, 10:30:31 PM
You can run a 4 stroke on 50:1 premix without a problem.  The only real issue could be for extended run times at idle, but I doubt if you would do that very much, and you could always kick the plugs up a heat range for that.   :thumleft:
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: pigbike on February 28, 2013, 11:33:43 PM
They should of built a small grill on top of the engine. If you break down and it takes hours to get back in, at least you can eat.
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: Capt Matt on March 02, 2013, 09:36:02 PM
Kickers are for walleye fisherman
Gonna do some back trolling?
Capt Matt
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: slvrlng on March 03, 2013, 10:41:37 AM
Slow trolling for kings and mahi. My 175 does not like running below 1100 rpms for extended periods and that equals around 5 to 6 mph as Skoot will attest.

EDIT: The idea of a kicker is mainly for a backup to get home.

Here is another video of the 9.9 I found running from LA to Catalina. 26 miles in what looks to be a 15 foot aluminum skiff with a chase boat. 2 gallons of fuel used in a hour and a half.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNr3U1E89WE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNr3U1E89WE)
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: seagate on March 03, 2013, 11:06:23 AM
E mail them see if they have a kit to convert a johnson to propane from there last post they have kits to convert other motors.That would be cool
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: GoneFission on March 03, 2013, 04:18:36 PM
Again, you don't need to convert to smelly propane.  A 4 stroke motor will run just fine on a TC-W3 oil with a 50:1 premix.  I will not coke the cylinders or foul the plugs in a modern 4-stroke engine that is properly tuned.
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: RickK on March 03, 2013, 04:41:19 PM
Quote from: "pigbike"
They should of built a small grill on top of the engine. If you break down and it takes hours to get back in, at least you can eat.
I think that should be an option on that motor.  mmmmm, can smell the ribs already  :pig:
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: Circle Hooked on March 03, 2013, 04:50:46 PM
Quote from: "slvrlng"
The idea of a kicker is mainly for a backup to get home.

Lew the idea of a kicker is a great idea which ever one you choose, I have had my 15 on my boat for 10 years now, unless I'm with other boats I don't go offshore without it, and I do have towing.
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: fitz73222 on March 03, 2013, 06:08:34 PM
Lew,

I think its a pretty cool little engine. The technology has been around for many years in other applications. I've taken a propane powered engine apart; an old 250 six cylinder Chevy that was in a local propane service truck. The engine must have had 300,000 miles on it and you could eat off of the inside of the cylinder head; it was that clean, the valves were perfect. It just leaked so much oil like they all did, it had to come apart to be re-sealed. I guess the only thing that I would research is that is it really a salt water engine from a materials standpoint or is it ESKA/Ted Williams quality with a propane powerhead. Do you buy these factory direct or is there a dealer network? What's the warranty? How do you get parts? Are they US built?; that would be a nice change. Can you get a 20" shaft that would get you deep enough in the water on your transom? If it met my criteria; I'd buy one for shits and giggles.
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: RickK on March 03, 2013, 06:24:12 PM
I was once told that a propane generator was very inefficient compared to a gas generator.  Not sure why but wonder if this is the same with this engine?
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: fitz73222 on March 03, 2013, 07:48:25 PM
I believe it has a lower expansion rate than gasoline, but at roughly 40% lower for a gallon of propane over gasoline it's still a better deal I would think.
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: slvrlng on March 03, 2013, 09:07:43 PM
First and foremost it is Chinese. Second it most definitely saltwater usable. They come with a 3 year warranty. Due to the shape of my transom it will not fit beside the 175. I would have to bracket mount it and drop in when needed. When I got the boat 2 years ago it had the remnants of a very corroded broken mounting plate for a kicker which I have now removed. One thing the addition of a kicker is something I will be looking at next year some time. At least this will give time to see if Lehr is a viable option or not.
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: GoneFission on March 04, 2013, 09:09:06 AM
Quote from: "fitz73222"
is it ESKA/Ted Williams

I had one of those back then - POS!   :puker:  Also a McCullough and a Scott-Atwater.  :thumleft:  The Scott-Atwater would scream...
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: seagate on March 04, 2013, 12:49:51 PM
Where does it say made in china all I saw was Los Angeles, CA  for the company address just woundering?
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: 200CCPMerc200 on March 04, 2013, 01:32:45 PM
I have this honda 15 4 stroke, on my 200ccp,and it trolls well, will push it 6-7 mph, and i had to get home 7-8 miles with it one time, glad i had it!!(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k615/cajunmerc/Aquasport%20200%20CC%20Pro/060.jpg)
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: 200CCPMerc200 on March 04, 2013, 01:35:17 PM
I since got an E-Z steer for them, and thinking of painting the kicker black, lol
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: uglystick on January 30, 2015, 03:47:32 PM
Propane does not have as much power as gas. We had a couple of propane pickups on the ranch when I was a kid. Next item storing the tank.
finally propane is heavier than air so it could sink to the bilge.
 
Title: Re: Lehr 9.9 propane outboard as a kicker?
Post by: JimInPB on July 27, 2015, 08:13:40 PM
I was unaware that Lehr motors were Chinese.  I thought that Lehr was a European company that was headed up by some retired pilot.

Those motors run at a higher than normal compression compared to gasoline engines, so that they can take full advantage of the propane's stored energy.  There is a shop down in Miami called Hopkins Carter that actually supports those things pretty well.  Converted gas motors are not as efficient.

The only disadvantage that I am aware of is cold weather performance.  Unlike forklift motors that run on liquid phase propane & use a heat exchanger to feed vapor to the mixing valve, these engines take the propane in vapor phase & rely on the head space in the propane cylinder to vaporize the LPG.  If you are in South Florida, that is no problem.  If you are in temperatures that are below 40F, you will probably have some trouble.

You can get fiberglass propane tanks now that don't rust.

I'm kind of old school.  I still like having a kicker for both trolling & back up power.   

Propane is actually a pretty clean option to work with, compared to gas.  Propane is usually a little more expensive as a fuel.  The energy in a gallon of propane varies depending on what grade it is & where it was manufactured, but it is always quite a bit less than the energy in a gallon of gasoline. 

If you are going to store propane anywhere other than an open area above decks, then USCG has very specific rules on how your propane locker needs to be constructed & how the feed lines need to be plumbed. 
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal