3 cables to battery + - ?

[TenE307]

i just bought a boat (1991 Sea Ray 160)with battery cables disconnected. there is a clear positive and negative cables. the question is there is a green wire going to somewhere ontop of my gas tank. is it positive or negative.

 

[DJ]

Re: 3 cables to battery + - ?

It could be a couple of things.<br /><br />1. It is a ground for the fuel tank sender and tank ground. They usually are green. It woill go to negative. Try it and see if the guage works, with the key on.<br /><br />2. It could be the sending unit power wire. <br /><br />My bet is on number 1.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: 3 cables to battery + - ?

ten I may be wrong on this but some companies use to put a green wire on the to the tank and called it a bond wire .<br />i think it was to reduce static discharge so it would help to keep down fires.<br />someone else here will probly remember more about this then i do

 

[TenE307]

Re: 3 cables to battery + - ?

fuel guage works with the green wire disconnected.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 3 cables to battery + - ?

Does the grn wire have a terminal end????<br /> Use a test light or volt meter and go from grn to ground-key off, then key on.<br /> I'm with dhadley on #1, but the wire may be a ground for some other accessory that isn't there anymore. Bilge float switch????

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 3 cables to battery + - ?

Oh yea, is it a plastic tank or metal????<br /> If it's plastic, the wire goes to ground.

 

[TenE307]

Re: 3 cables to battery + - ?

the wire has a terminal tighten with wing nut.<br />the tank sounds like metal when flicked with tool.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: 3 cables to battery + - ?

If it id what I am thinking it is, then it is a ground to prevent a static-discahrge explosion. Make sure it is grounded.