Originally posted by joe_db
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Alternator wires
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That might possibly be a problem, especially if there is a lot of corrosion on the bolts.
What I would do:
Connect the ground wire to the engine close to the starter, not on the far side of the engine. Run a ground wire from the alternator to the same bolt that the engine ground wire connects to.
Keep in mind a very large percentage of boats and cars ground through the block, so this is not a huge problem. Not that it can never happen, but probably 95% or more of A4s don't have a separate alternator ground with no issues. If you want to check, put the alternator under load and use a voltmeter between the alternator ground and the ground wire connection to the engine. That will tell you the voltage drop through the engine block.
* there once was an issue with PT-6 turboprop engines where on some airplanes the ground wire was connected to a point that made the starter/generator current go through a bearing and corrode it causing engine failure. I have never heard of this happening to a boat, but I guess there is a first time for everything.Joe Della Barba
Coquina
C&C 35 MK I
Maryland USA
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Originally posted by joe_db View PostThat might possibly be a problem, especially if there is a lot of corrosion on the bolts.
What I would do:
Connect the ground wire to the engine close to the starter, not on the far side of the engine. Run a ground wire from the alternator to the same bolt that the engine ground wire connects to.
Keep in mind a very large percentage of boats and cars ground through the block, so this is not a huge problem. Not that it can never happen, but probably 95% or more of A4s don't have a separate alternator ground with no issues. If you want to check, put the alternator under load and use a voltmeter between the alternator ground and the ground wire connection to the engine. That will tell you the voltage drop through the engine block.
* there once was an issue with PT-6 turboprop engines where on some airplanes the ground wire was connected to a point that made the starter/generator current go through a bearing and corrode it causing engine failure. I have never heard of this happening to a boat, but I guess there is a first time for everything.
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