Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

[judgebobo]

88 Sea Ray 268
454 mercruiser

Cruising down the river power/engine shuts down nothing will come back on, get towed back then realize breaker was tripped on engine, pushed it back on, all is good. Looked online there was a lot said about checking alternator if breaker is tripped. Had alt tested, it's bad, I replaced it. Since replacing alt this same thing has happenned 2 more times. The last 2 times I tried to immediately push breaker back in but had to wait awhile before it would work.(plugged to shore power to charge) Was told to check one battery at a time by disconnecting neg. so I put selector on #1 battery disconnected neg and engine continued running. Turned off boat changed to battery #2 restarted disconnected neg and engine immediately shut off. This is not my strong suit what could be going on here?

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

Can't help you with your electrical problem, but the thought comes to mind that the guy just told you the alternator was bad so he could sell you one.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

FOR TESTING:Eliminate the breaker with another type of curcuit protection. Go buy an in-line fuse that will accept a 50amp fuse 10ga wire. 1 wire at a time, make a good connection to each of the red/purple wires. Tape them so they don't hit ground & cause a different problem. Run it & see what happens. Very likely it's a bad breaker but it may be a deeper problem.

Cheap is best, right?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

more than likely you blew the alt by removing the ground lead . that worked with generators but will blow most alternators rather quickly.
you use a voltmeter to verify alt output.

 

[kmarine]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

I would start by tracing and inspecting all wires and making sure there are no rub marks or burnt insulation. Then I would replace breaker. If new breaker pops you have a component going bad and shorting out. It could be anything. One by one each item has to be tested to find what is shorting out. You dont have efi or any computer related possibilities. coul be a bad coil,gauge, or switch. check to see if your house accessories are on that breaker or a seprate panel. Happy Hunting

 

[judgebobo]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

Ok did everything and came across an issue. I have a purple wire down near alt/batteries that isn't connected to anything. Traced it back and the other end is connected to pos end of coil. Could this be my problem and if so does that go to alternator or battery??? Bobby J

 

[Pete104]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

It could, if your battery switch has the "field disconnect" in it.

 

[judgebobo]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

Which do I connect it to? Battery or alternator

 

[Pete104]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

First of all, do you have battery switch? If so, which type? 1-both/all-2-off. Or different!
What size terminal is on the end of this purple wire?

 

[judgebobo]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

There is a switch off 1 all 2. I am almost sure it came from alt now just don't know if it should be in plug or stud. Any advise??

No terminal on wire looks like the wire had a connection or eyelet that is now missing

 

[Don S]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

I have a purple wire down near alt/batteries that isn't connected to anything.

The alternator should have a purple wire going to it

Might want to post a picture of the back of the alternator if you can.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=468676

 

[judgebobo]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

How do you upload a picture from phone out on boat. I have no computer lol......

I took the pics just couldn't figure out how to upload to site with p
IPhone

 

[judgebobo]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

Harness going to alternator area has 4 wires black and red which are to the plug, orange which is on the stud and purple hooked to nothing.

 

[judgebobo]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

Don I apologize on not being able to upload a photo. After looking at wiring diagram it appears that the purple and red should be attached together on the pigtail that is plugged in. As of now it is only red and black. Does this sound correct?

 

[Don S]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

It all depends on what alternator you have.

 

[judgebobo]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

Not the best pic, but hopefully this can help you determine where i connect or if i connect the purple wire

 

[Don S]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

That's an aftermarket Delco single wire alternator. You don't need the two small wires. Both need taped back and insulated so they can't short out to anything.

 

[judgebobo]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

So the 2 that connect to a plug are red and black and the orange to the post. Along with the purple not hooked up. What should the correct connection be? Sorry I know with good direction I can handle this but alternators/batteries/ electrical is not my strong suit. Thanks for your help sir.

**also is the reason it is hooked up this way the reason it is not functioning properly?

 

[Don S]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

Plug ?????? Suppose you might take another picture, a bit larger so we can see it, and move the hose out of the way so we can see what hooks to what?

 

[Don S]

Re: Tripping Breaker or killing batteries??

Look at the second page in this link http://www.arcomarine.com/xhtml/Tech Marine Alternator tips.pdf

Shows the wiring of the Delco alternators.