4.3 alpha tks question

[GaryMc73]

So my new boat was delivered yesterday with a 4.3 TKS alpha engine and when i got home i noticed 3 wires with terminal leads not connected to anything on top of the engine sticking out of the harness that runs between the distributor and the carb. They are orange, brown, and black.

So i downloaded the service manual and im guessing they may be for a Mercathode controller but would like a second opinion. I couldnt find the controller on the engine where the manual said it would be, and i also noticed on the mercury website, that only bravo's are standard with the mercathode, and that it's an option with the alpha's. Any help would be much appreciated. im stressing over this.

-Gary

 

[Fun Times]

Re: 4.3 alpha tks question

So my new boat was delivered yesterday with a 4.3 TKS alpha engine and when i got home i noticed 3 wires with terminal leads not connected to anything on top of the engine sticking out of the harness that runs between the distributor and the carb. They are orange, brown, and black.

So i downloaded the service manual and im guessing they may be for a Mercathode controller but would like a second opinion. I couldnt find the controller on the engine where the manual said it would be, and i also noticed on the mercury website, that only bravo's are standard with the mercathode, and that it's an option with the alpha's. Any help would be much appreciated. im stressing over this.

-Gary

No need to stress, They are for the mercathode, And your set up does not have a mercathode.

 

[GaryMc73]

Re: 4.3 alpha tks question

ah ok, thank you. I wonder why they leave them just hanging out there like that instead of tying them off neatly or something. should i tape up the ends of the terminals?

 

[uaw9fan]

Re: 4.3 alpha tks question

No need to tape them. They should not have voltage. The mercathode when installed requires a red wire directly to the battery for power. Obviously you don't have that one yet.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: 4.3 alpha tks question

Not to hijack the thread, but what is a mercathode system exactly?
Thanks

 

[Fun Times]

Re: 4.3 alpha tks question

Not to hijack the thread, but what is a mercathode system exactly?
Thanks

I found this for you to read.


What is the Mercathode?

The Mercathode is a special device that produces a protective field around the drive to

Reduce galvanic corrosion damage.?

Most new Mercruiser engines come with the Mercathode installed from the factory.

The Mercathode has two basic parts. The controller and the anode.




The controller is usually mounted on the engine. It is either blue or black plastic.

The controller is about 3 1/3? wide and 2? tall. It will have four terminals on the front to attach the power leads and the two anode leads.

The anode is mounted outside the boat. The new style anode is mounted under the gimbal where the four hydraulic trim hoses attach. It is black plastic.

The anode is connected to the controller by two wires, one orange and one brown.

If you keep your boat in the water for any length of time you NEED to have a Mercathode installed.More about this later.

And here is what you can do to check everything out on a boat.
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/11/11a7r5x.pdf