reversed battery cables

[blue70nova]

I have a 98 Nitro with Mercury 75 hp m/n 1400-819128 s/n 0E331282 and recently changed out the battery for the engine. Not wearing my glasses I inadverntly hooked battery leads up to reverse poles. I believe I blew the rectifier diode, when i turn ignition on it blows the 20 amp fuse. I traced all wiring and cannot find any burnt or melted from under dash fuse block nor on the engine itself. I am wondering if the recifier is a square block mounted to the starboard side of the engine. I have searched throuugh post, as well the internet with no luck of finding a diagram. Just aquired the boat and do not have a manual for the engine. You can bet there wont be a next time of not having my glasses on!

BTW: This is an awesome forum, a lot of good advice and information.Thank you to all who share their knowledge and experience.

Blue

 

[CharlieB]

Re: reversed battery cables

The rectifier will have two yellow wires connected to the stator under the flywheel and a red wire connected to the starter relay.

The rectifier is toast but is not the cause of the fuses blowing when you turn on the key. That is most likely caused by an accessory powered off the igniton switch, tach, radio, etc.

 

[PHE]

Re: reversed battery cables

If this motor only has a rectifier, you can replace it with a cheap one from Radio Shack. You will need to know the max current of the charging system to pick one out.

I agree you probably blew a radio or other electrical device. Strart disconnecting things and see which is giving you a short to ground. Don't know why they don't put a 50 cent diode in series with the power to keep them from blowing. But I guess they get to sell you another one.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: reversed battery cables

That motor (1994) uses a rectifer/regulator and I believe it is mouted towards the front and on top of the motor.

 

[j_martin]

Re: reversed battery cables

If this motor only has a rectifier, you can replace it with a cheap one from Radio Shack. You will need to know the max current of the charging system to pick one out.

I agree you probably blew a radio or other electrical device. Strart disconnecting things and see which is giving you a short to ground. Don't know why they don't put a 50 cent diode in series with the power to keep them from blowing. But I guess they get to sell you another one.

Going price for a 5402 diode (3 amp) is two bits, one at a time. 0.085 in quantity.