Battery Leads hooked up backwards

[Smoke33]

My son was helping me get the boat ready for summer and he hooked up the batter reversing the leads. Within a few seconds the alternator started on fire. I immediately pulled the lead he hadn’t secured yet off so they were only connected about 5 seconds. I have a new alternator but once I connect, are there any other things I need to check before attempting to start the boat? I searched and read things from nothing else needs to be done to replacing the inline diodes that connect to the alternator. Any help/input is appreciated.
Also, once I hook up the new alternator, am I okay to try and start to see if it will start/run or do I risk damaging something?
The motor is a Mercruiser 3.0.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I'd try starting it. There might be other problems, and no way to really gauge them until you test it out. The ignition switch was off, so possibly the majority of the ignition system was out of the reverse loop.

 

[Smoke33]

I'd try starting it. There might be other problems, and no way to really gauge them until you test it out. The ignition switch was off, so possibly the majority of the ignition system was out of the reverse loop.

When I was searching I read a reply not to because if the diodes are bad I can ruin the new alternator. Is that false?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Diodes are easy to test.... I may have missed something, but I thought all the diodes were inside your alternator, which you replaced.

 

[Smoke33]

Diodes are easy to test.... I may have missed something, but I thought all the diodes were inside your alternator, which you replaced.

According to what I read, there are inline diodes in red and black wires in the picture. I just thought they were just for plugging/connecting but the person who posted said there are diodes in there as well.

 

[Lou C]

I know it doesn't help you now, but in the future you might consider what I have been doing...take a piece of duct tape, stick it by the positive terminal on the top of the battery & use a sharpie to make a big + sign on it. Makes it easy to avoid that mistake! That or take a piece of red electrical tape, cut it into 2 thin strips and make a + sign out of it.

 

[Rick Stephens]

According to what I read, there are inline diodes in red and black wires in the picture. I just thought they were just for plugging/connecting but the person who posted said there are diodes in there as well.

If you think there are diodes inline, then easy to test with a continuity tester - or even a simple test light with battery power. Contact each end of the wire in questions. Good diode - only has continuity in one direction. Bad diode - no connection at all.

 

[nola mike]

According to what I read, there are inline diodes in red and black wires in the picture. I just thought they were just for plugging/connecting but the person who posted said there are diodes in there as well.

Those aren't diodes, they're bullet connectors. Most of the internet is false, except for this forum.

 

[achris]

According to what I read, there are inline diodes in red and black wires in the picture.

BS!

I just thought they were just for plugging/connecting

They are as you surmise, just connections.

but the person who posted said there are diodes in there as well.

The 'person who posted' (thank you for using 'who' correctly ) is talking out of his fundamental orifice!

Chris..

 

[Scott Danforth]

BS!

They are as you surmise, just connections.

The 'person who posted' (thank you for using 'who' correctly ) is talking out of his fundamental orifice!

Chris..

Chris, op posted in multiple forums. So in the elecrtical forum, no brand of motor/drive was given. Volvo uses diodes in the harness

 

[achris]

Chris, op posted in multiple forums. So in the elecrtical forum, no brand of motor/drive was given. Volvo uses diodes in the harness

The original poster of this thread? If so, I'll rummage around the delete the other posts.

Chris......

 

[Scott Danforth]

The original poster of this thread? If so, I'll rummage around the delete the other posts.

Chris......

Combine them

 

[Smoke33]

The original poster of this thread? If so, I'll rummage around the delete the other posts.

Chris......

Yes, I posted in the electrical section but posted here when another member recommended I do so. Thanks for the responses.