Doolin
Seaman
- Joined
- May 22, 2009
- Messages
- 67
Hey there,
I recently purchased a 1997 BF8A and really liked the idea of having the ability to charge my battery. When I got it home I found the plug to be cracked so I replaced that. My boat (also a recent purchase) had a charging port wired to the stern so I found the mating plug, purchased the plug that mates to the motor and wired the two together with some 10 gauge.
I'm a coward when it comes to electricity... so, I started by testing the wire I made and I got the continuity where I expected it. I plugged in the wire to the outboard and the 'stern plug'. On the inside of the stern socket, I connected the positive to the battery.
Before connecting the negative to the battery, I took a test light, connected one end to the battery and touched the lead of the tester to the negative wire from the socket. The tester lit up solid.
I wasn't expecting that. It makes me think there is a short somewhere.
Is anyone familar enough with that charging system to confirm that there 'should not be' a complete circuit when the outboard isn't running?
Thanks in advance,
I recently purchased a 1997 BF8A and really liked the idea of having the ability to charge my battery. When I got it home I found the plug to be cracked so I replaced that. My boat (also a recent purchase) had a charging port wired to the stern so I found the mating plug, purchased the plug that mates to the motor and wired the two together with some 10 gauge.
I'm a coward when it comes to electricity... so, I started by testing the wire I made and I got the continuity where I expected it. I plugged in the wire to the outboard and the 'stern plug'. On the inside of the stern socket, I connected the positive to the battery.
Before connecting the negative to the battery, I took a test light, connected one end to the battery and touched the lead of the tester to the negative wire from the socket. The tester lit up solid.
I wasn't expecting that. It makes me think there is a short somewhere.
Is anyone familar enough with that charging system to confirm that there 'should not be' a complete circuit when the outboard isn't running?
Thanks in advance,