burned rectifier/regulator

[NightRunner]

Johnson 1988 V6 150HP, J150STLCCA

When I turned the ignition ket to "on", not only my fuse near the starter motor bured, but also a white smoke came out of the rectifier/regulator.
I see a hole burned out on the gel like sealant to the rectifier/regulator.
The part looks to be:Johnson OEM 0395204
http://www.dixiemarinesales.com/detail.aspx?ID=88

The question is:
Can I buy a new rectifier/regulator and replace the bad one, then expect everything to be fine?
One week before this incident, I accidentally connected the battery terminals opposite. But correcting the terminals, the boat started fine. Did I damage the rectifier that day? or "deeply wounded" it, it then died 1 week later?

 

[iwombat]

Re: burned rectifier/regulator

That'll kill a rectifier real quick.

 

[red boat]

Re: burned rectifier/regulator

If you connect the battery terminals opposite it will smoke the rectifier immediately. Unfortunately I once made the same mistake, a very expensive mistake! FYI do not remove a cable from the battery terminal while it is running either or you will make another very expensive mistake and will have to replace it again. It is also a good idea to take the wingnuts off and throw them away and replace them with nylock nuts.

 

[ezeke]

Re: burned rectifier/regulator

Most important thing is to get the rectifier completely disconnected now. The motor can run fine without it, but with it connected it can ruin your ignition system.

Look up under the flywheel for any sign of melted or burned potting or wiring. If there is none and the motor runs normally, you are probably ok for now.

Water cooled rectifiers can also be destroyed by a lack of cooling water. Be sure that your water pump is capable of keeping the water level high in the engine and that the thermostats are working properly.

 

[NightRunner]

Re: burned rectifier/regulator

Thanks all for help!

So, there is a short in the rectifier/regulator, and it is blown.
I disconnected all 5 wire leads out of the rectifier/regulator and taped/tied them out of the way..
--I did not remove the rectifier/regulator from the engine because it seems that I need remove the flywheel to do that.

No more blown fuse when I turn on the engine. And everything seems works.--my tachometer stopped working a long time ago.

Now the questions is:
Can I operate the engine without the rectifier/regulator? Will it damage anything else?
--I will keep the battery connected.
The only function of rectifier/regulator is to charge the battery and makes the tachometer work, am I right?

 

[ezeke]

Re: burned rectifier/regulator

"The only function of rectifier/regulator is to charge the battery and makes the tachometer work, am I right?"

You are correct.

Keep the rectifier taped off until you replace it with a new one.

You cam operate the motor indefinitely without a rectifier, but you will need to charge your battery regularly.