Alternator upgrade

Erico624

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
73
Hello i am upgrading my alternator to a 70 amp its serp belt system. Wires kinda have me confused.please help where does the wires go to?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4602.jpeg
    IMG_4602.jpeg
    1.9 MB · Views: 6

KD4UPL

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 13, 2010
Messages
671
Depending on what you are upgrading from and too you may or may not use all the same wires. Your post is way to vauge to answer.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,570
If you are installing a larger alternator, you will need to up-size the cable from the B terminal to the battery

Wire colors are standardized as to their function.

Check the sticky in the electrical forum for the wire color standard
 

Erico624

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
73
I
If you are installing a larger alternator, you will need to up-size the cable from the B terminal to the battery

Wire colors are standardized as to their function.

Check the sticky in the electrical forum for the wire color standard
thank you. Just need to figure out the red with blue or purply line from the 50 amp circuit breaker goes to.
 

Erico624

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
73
If you are installing a larger alternator, you will need to up-size the cable from the B terminal to the battery

Wire colors are standardized as to their function.

Check the sticky in the electrical forum for the wire color standard
Sorry the engine i have and boat is a project. Didn’t come with Alternator.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,064
The pigtail has 2 wires coming from the ALT.
One wire goes to the Red/Purple which is the sense lead (50 amp breaker)
Other wire goes to purple which is excite (key switch turns ON)

I'm unable to find a wiring diagram for the exact ALT and it may not matter which lead goes to which but they do need to be separated
 

Erico624

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
73
The pigtail has 2 wires coming from the ALT.
One wire goes to the Red/Purple which is the sense lead (50 amp breaker)
Other wire goes to purple which is excite (key switch turns ON)

I'm unable to find a wiring diagram for the exact ALT and it may not matter which lead goes to which but they do need to be separated
Thank you! I will separate them.
 

Erico624

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
73
The pigtail has 2 wires coming from the ALT.
One wire goes to the Red/Purple which is the sense lead (50 amp breaker)
Other wire goes to purple which is excite (key switch turns ON)

I'm unable to find a wiring diagram for the exact ALT and it may not matter which lead goes to which but they do need to be separated
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4623.png
    IMG_4623.png
    667.5 KB · Views: 0

Erico624

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
73
The pigtail has 2 wires coming from the ALT.
One wire goes to the Red/Purple which is the sense lead (50 amp breaker)
Other wire goes to purple which is excite (key switch turns ON)

I'm unable to find a wiring diagram for the exact ALT and it may not matter which lead goes to which but they do need to be separated
IMG_4623.pngHello this is what i got from DB electric for what pin does what.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,570
one wire is the ignition reference, one is the idiot lamp.

S = Sense wire. this is purple and comes from your key switch
L = Lamp. this is a ground feed to your lamp (the other side of the lamp goes to the ignition switch.)
 

Erico624

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
73
one wire is the ignition reference, one is the idiot lamp.

S = Sense wire. this is purple and comes from your key switch
L = Lamp. this is a ground feed to your lamp (the other side of the lamp goes to the ignition switch.)
Purple from key this is the purple from the engine connector correct? Sorry still have motor out of the boat.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,064
Purple from key this is the purple from the engine connector correct? Sorry still have motor out of the boat.
Yes, purple is purple anywhere from the helm to throughout the motor "unless" someone has bugged things up

Color codes for Merc
Merc Color Codes.png
 

Erico624

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
73
Yes, purple is purple anywhere from the helm to throughout the motor "unless" someone has bugged things up

Color codes for Merc
View attachment 378823
Thank you! Now i know where the connector goes. Little orange wire from starter to plus and ground also from harness to ground on alternator. Should use battery positive and negative cables from the alternator to the battery also?
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,064
Thank you! Now i know where the connector goes. Little orange wire from starter to plus and ground also from harness to ground on alternator. Should use battery positive and negative cables from the alternator to the battery also?
ALT orange wire should go to the starter post thru a 90amp fuse. This way if the ALT shorts out it will not melt the wiring. Note the starter pic below does not show the orange connected to the fuse but it should be

90 amp fuse.jpgStarter connect.jpg
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,064
Did i get it right by saying i needed to add the battery cables to the ground and + on the Alternator? Want to make sure.
Bat cables, + or - do not go direct to ALT
Orange goes to 90 amp fuse on starter post. Bat + side goes to starter post
Black goes to pin 1 on the 10 pin Connector or other location or the block
 

Attachments

  • Harness Connector.jpg
    Harness Connector.jpg
    59.4 KB · Views: 0

Erico624

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
73
Bat cables, + or - do not go direct to ALT
Orange goes to 90 amp fuse on starter post. Bat + side goes to starter post
Black goes to pin 1 on the 10 pin Connector or other location or the block
Thank you alldodge! You are the best!
 
Top