alpha1 stainless wire

[scallywag]

I HAVE NOTICED A STAINLESS STEEL WIRE,I THINK IT MUST BE A GROUND,FREYING.IT IS CONNECTED TO THE LEG AND THE HOUSING.ANY BODY KNOW WHAT THE FUNTION OF THIS WIRE IS.I DO HAVE A MERCATHODE SYSTEM ON THE ENGINE.1989 4.3MERC/ALPHA1 OUTDRIVE.

 

[Walter]

Re: alpha1 stainless wire

Can you see if this wire is attached to the outdrive (leg)? If you have MerCathode...you should be able to see the controller inside the boat...likely attached to the transom. There should be wires leading to it from the battery and wires leading from the controller to the anodes/electrodes. If you don't have MerCathode then two things come to mind... One is that the wire you see may be your power trim limit switch wiring...or the power trim gauge sender wiring. These wires kinda resemble a table lamp cord and are a major "weak link" in those circuits. Fraying of these wires is very, very common. <br /><br />The other thing...Is it possible what you are seeing is the shifting cable??<br /><br />Hope this info helps.<br /><br />Walt

 

[Trent]

Re: alpha1 stainless wire

What he is seeing is the small stainlees steel wire that connects the moving parts of the drive. This wire helps "electrically" to keep the drive as "one" for corrosion protection. In other words so the anodes will help protect it. Since the lower part of the drive moves up and down at the pivot points and are rotating on grease..This wire just helps make the electrical connection. If it were not their their is a "high" probablity that corrosion will take place since the anodes cant do their job "electrically". <br /><br />If you have more than three or four strands of the wire broken.......replace it and clean the connections when re-installing.<br /><br />Hope I explained ok...tired today..Honeydoo day <br /><br />

 

[Walter]

Re: alpha1 stainless wire

Wow...how interesting. It makes total sense. So Trent...does my Type 1 unit have a similar wire installed? If so, I don't recall seeing it. Seems like it should have one though, huh?<br /><br />Walt

 

[Trent]

Re: alpha1 stainless wire

Not all drives had it if I can remember? They should! Im old bud but I hope not that old!! <br /><br />If it were me...If saltwater you MUST have them!! Freshwater boats can get away without them for awhile.