I was not sure if this should have gone in the electrical forum. I looked at that forum first and all of the threads I saw were accessory related. If that is where this belongs I'd be happy if it was moved by the mods. Thanks in advance.
This morning I got up with the intention of starting the boat for the first time this season. I did all the preliminary cleanup stuff like getting the winter cover off and cleaning out any leaves I missed in the fall before the cover went on. I got the battery out of the basement and went to hook it up. I hooked up the positive cables first and tightened the hex nut down. Then when I went to attach the ground cables I got sparks. I thought that was mighty strange since the keys were in my pocket and I verified at the panel that everything was off. I snugged the hex nut down anyway and went to look over a few things. Possibly a minute or two at the most had elapsed and I saw smoke coming from the port side of the motor. I looked closer and saw smoke coming from the back side of the alternator. I grabbed the wrench and immediately removed all of the cables.
I have the original charging system still in the boat with the remote mounted regulator. I am guessing one or the other is likely toast now. I'm broke right now being that I am back to work for a little over two months now following three and a half months off following shoulder surgery. This was not when I expected to do the 1-wire alternator upgrade. Even if I do I am not sure exactly where to start to troubleshoot where the short is that likely caused said toasting to avoid toasting an even more expensive set up.
I do have the Mercruiser manual that covers the year of my setup but I'm curious if someone has had the same experience that can lead me in the direction of what they found. I'm about to get on the road for a 220 mile ride for a deposition tomorrow morning and then I'm heading straight home so I appreciate any help. I apologize in advance that I won't likely be able to respond until tomorrow late afternoon at the earliest.
Thanks in advance.
Adam
This morning I got up with the intention of starting the boat for the first time this season. I did all the preliminary cleanup stuff like getting the winter cover off and cleaning out any leaves I missed in the fall before the cover went on. I got the battery out of the basement and went to hook it up. I hooked up the positive cables first and tightened the hex nut down. Then when I went to attach the ground cables I got sparks. I thought that was mighty strange since the keys were in my pocket and I verified at the panel that everything was off. I snugged the hex nut down anyway and went to look over a few things. Possibly a minute or two at the most had elapsed and I saw smoke coming from the port side of the motor. I looked closer and saw smoke coming from the back side of the alternator. I grabbed the wrench and immediately removed all of the cables.
I have the original charging system still in the boat with the remote mounted regulator. I am guessing one or the other is likely toast now. I'm broke right now being that I am back to work for a little over two months now following three and a half months off following shoulder surgery. This was not when I expected to do the 1-wire alternator upgrade. Even if I do I am not sure exactly where to start to troubleshoot where the short is that likely caused said toasting to avoid toasting an even more expensive set up.
I do have the Mercruiser manual that covers the year of my setup but I'm curious if someone has had the same experience that can lead me in the direction of what they found. I'm about to get on the road for a 220 mile ride for a deposition tomorrow morning and then I'm heading straight home so I appreciate any help. I apologize in advance that I won't likely be able to respond until tomorrow late afternoon at the earliest.
Thanks in advance.
Adam
