From a previously started thread... "I purchased an older, 1982 Renken 185 Bow-rider, boat from a neighborhood gentleman. He ?inherited? it from his father-in-law. A month or two ago, the neighbor "replaced the alternator with one from Advance Auto that looked almost similar according to the stamped model look-up they performed. At one point, the engine was replaced with a bigger I/O motor.. a 350 GM. There is a thick tannish wire, thicker than wires that run accessories, but not quite as thick as the mains to the battery terminal & starter. The tannish wire reached and was resting, unattached to anything on the passenger side of the motor when I bought it. The eyelet for the wire is pretty big, so I am assuming it must go to the alternator because there is no other post on that side of the motor within reach, aside from the water temp sensor which has a very, very small stem and nut on it going into the block. There also is a red wire of the exact same size in regards to length, thickness, and eye-hole right next to the tannish one and both come from under the motor through a black wire harness (which makes it somewhat difficult to follow back.) I placed a tester on the tannish wire and it receives constant power from the battery even with the ignition switch on the ?off? position. If I disconnect the negative ground wire that supplies the navigation lights system, this tannish wire will also lose its power feed, otherwise it gets constant juice. My question, do I want to hook up BOTH the red and tannish wires to the (Bat+) on the alternator? I am assuming (I know, never a good thing) that red is always needing power, but the previous owner says ?he thinks? the tan-colored wire was hooked up to the (Bat+) post on the alternator while the red just was laying there. Please see the attached photos for reference.Thanks for any input and advice!!!"
Bubba1235 has been very helpful, Thanks! But I wondering...if I can't follow this tannish (exciter alternator wire) back from under the engine in order to find where it goes...should i just cap (wrap) it off, also connect it to the Bat+ terminal of the alternator, or swap the existing wire attached to the Bat+ terminal of the alternator with the tan (exciter) wire and then cap off the other instead. So many choices... or possibly get a marine alternator and return this one to Advance Auto? Unfortunately, my neighbor says Advance Auto kept the original in regards to the core charge. What exactly does an exciter (tan) wire function for anyhow? Thanks much.
Bubba1235 has been very helpful, Thanks! But I wondering...if I can't follow this tannish (exciter alternator wire) back from under the engine in order to find where it goes...should i just cap (wrap) it off, also connect it to the Bat+ terminal of the alternator, or swap the existing wire attached to the Bat+ terminal of the alternator with the tan (exciter) wire and then cap off the other instead. So many choices... or possibly get a marine alternator and return this one to Advance Auto? Unfortunately, my neighbor says Advance Auto kept the original in regards to the core charge. What exactly does an exciter (tan) wire function for anyhow? Thanks much.
