I was putting the last touches on my new-to-me boat before taking it out (1972 65hp Evinrude). When I connected the battery I noticed the voltmeter came on, which should only occur when the key is on, and went back to zero when I did turn the key on. <br />I started looking for crossed wires open circuits that could be feeding current back. I went back to the terminal block at the motor. I turned on the key and started checking for power. About the time I noticed the test light going dim, I also noticed the smell of smoke and looked up to see smoke pouring out of the control box! I turned off the key and pull the battery cable immediately.<br />I started isolating components and checking them. Alternator seems ok, continuity between leads but none to ground. Rectifier checked out fine. I don't know how the diode and lead assy. works or how to check it, but it is definitely the culprit here. With the purple/green wire disconnected there is no more problem.<br />Is there a cheap fix for this unit? I've seen some used ones on Ebay for bigger motors of the same era. Could those work?<br />Finally, can someone tell me what it is this assemby does and how it works? I'm handy with electronics, and wondered if I could duplicate it with off the shelf parts. Thanks.
