3.0 Mercrusier shorted out ground wire

[Crappie Jalopy]

I was replacing my (2) batteries and accidently shorted out, melted, the ground wire from the engine block to the rear wall of my engine compartment.
It's in a real tight area to replace the wire.
Can I install a new ground wire from my engine block in an area that's easier to reach?

 

[alldodge]

Can I install a new ground wire from my engine block in an area that's easier to reach?

Sure, is a bonding wire to help prevent corrosion
Hope everything else is ok

 

[Crappie Jalopy]

Thanks for responding.
Are you saying that it is a bonding wire that melted?
I know nothing about what a bonding wire does.
As of now, that's the only thing I see that melted.
I visually saw the wire melt, red hot, there was a lot of smoke.
The wire melted in the middle of the wire. I can see both ends of the wire still attached to the bolt coming out of the engine block and the bolt on the wall of the engine compartment.
I forgot to turn off the battery selection dial.
I removed the main ground cable off the battery and laid it down.
When I removed the main positive cable and laid it down, it touched the negative cable and that's when wire melted.
Do I need that bonding wire reconnected?

 

[alldodge]

Yes its a bonding wire to keep the outdrive grounded. The drive needs to have a good ground for the Mercathode to work. If you don't have a Mercathode or don't keep the boat moored in the water, then its not needed

 

[Crappie Jalopy]

I'm learning good stuff!
I don't keep the boat moored in water.
I never heard of or do I see a Mercathode anywhere around the engine.

 

[Earl Cordova]

It sounds like you had the ground wire landed on the positive terminal of the battery.

 

[alldodge]

I never heard of or do I see a Mercathode anywhere around the engine.

It is mounted on top the motor IF it's there, Blue in color. Most pontoons won't have one because of all the metal

 

[Crappie Jalopy]

It was the positive cable that I removed from my accessory battery that touched the ground cable from that battery that I had already removed.

 

[Earl Cordova]

That is why I always disconnect the positive cable from the battery first and cover the positive terminal on the battery.

 

[Crappie Jalopy]

I learn the hard way sometimes.
Once again THANK YOU to all for the great information!
I was a sad guy yesterday, thinking that I had damaged my engine.
I'm a smarter and happier boat owner this morning!