Re: connecting a voltage meter
Forget the ammeter. The alternator on that engine does not have enough output to make an ammeter worth while since the needle would rarely move. Plus there is way too much heavy gauge wire involved to both with. A voltmeter is far more beneficial, easier to connect and provides a very distinct indication of whether or not the charging system is working. One wire goes to ground, the other connects to switched +12V (any wire that becomes active when the key is in the run position). If you have any other gauges on the boat, connect the wire to the +12 volt terminal on any other gauge. If the gauge has a light, the light wire connects to the light wire on any other gauge that has a light.
