Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

[plotalot]

My step-son decided to borrow the boat battery for his car the day before I was going fishing. I tracked him and his car down and retook possession of my battery. I got back to the boat still quite ticked off and in haste connected the battery terminals backwards.<br />Now the only thing that happens is a small relay switch to the rear of the solinoid will click when the battery if connected correctly. It does this regardless of the ignition switch is on or off.<br />Any suggestions of where to begin troubleshooting for blown/burnt parts?

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

If the motor has an alternator with a charging system chances are you took out the rectifier. The motor is from 1973 so it is hard to tell cause none of the sites post blowups of chryslers before 1974. If you know what kind of ignition the motor has please post it so someone with a manual can be of more help.

 

[plotalot]

Re: Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

Thanks for the reply. I have read several other post from others who committed the same sin I did except they received different punishment (symptoms/problems) than me. I notice that the rectifier gets mentioned alot in reply. How can I determine what kind of ignition it has? The bar toward the rear of the motor that has screw terminals for the wiring has a label next to it. One of the terminals has genorator labeled. Is the rectifier the outboard counterpart of an automotive voltage regulator?

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

On the terminal strip where the purple wire goes follow that on the motor. It should go to a small square piece that probably has four wires connected to it. That is the rectifier. Rectifier converts AC to DC for the charging system. Older chryslers did not have regulators built into them.<br /><br />Also on the terminal strip follow the red wire which should go to something that has two wires hooked to it. One wire will go to the terminal red wire and the other will go to the regulator. This should be a circuit breaker. Use an ohm meter to test across both leads on the circuit breaker. If you read zero ohms or real close to that the circuit breaker is good. If it reads high ohms or an open chances are you took out the circuit breaker. I have never worked on one of these circuit breaker before so I dont know if it can be reset or it acts like a fuse and when it blows it is no good. This information is on the assumption that you have a battery ignition with an alternator.<br /><br />If the purple wire ends at the terminal strip and it does not hook to anything else chances are you have a magneto type ignition. Follow the red wire on the motor to the circuit breaker. The other end of the circuit breaker should go to the starter solinoid. Test for a short is good and an open is bad. If this is blown that may be the only damage you did to the motor.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[plotalot]

Re: Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

The circuit breaker is the part that I was refering to as a relay in my original post. It is the part which is clicking when the battery is connected.<br /><br />The purple wire has another wire on the other side of the terminal strip. This wire is purple with a red stripe on it. The purple/red wire then goes under the flywheel and re-emerges and connects to a rectanglular black box with five terminals, one near each corner and one in the center. Is this the infamous rectifier? <br /><br />I just went outside with a flashlight and an ohm meter. With the meter set on the 200 scale I get a reading of 0.2 across the circuit breaker. I also get a reading of 0.2 from either teminal to ground. I am assuming the later is not a good 0.2 reading. Did I arc a ground into the system? What should I look for next?<br /><br />Thanks for your help!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

I am no pro on this part but I am about 80 percent sure you smoked the rectifier. A for sure way to test the circuit breaker is to disconncet the wires going to it and re test it with an ohm meter. If you are pulling a short to ground somewhere you may be reading that on the circuit breaker even if it is fried. I think there is a rectifier test in my manual. I will try and post the test procedure later tonight.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

[/url][/IMG] <br />Here is what clymor says<br />Disconnect all rectifer leads<br />Connect a self powered test lamp between the positive terminal and the top AC terminal The light should glow brightly at each terminal<br /><br />Move ther red test lead to the negative terminal. The light should glow dimly<br /><br />Move the red test lead to the positive terminal. Connect the black tes lead to the top rectifier AC terminal, then to the bottom AC terminal. The light should not come on at either terminal.<br /><br />Replace the rectifier if *** does not perform as indicated in previous three steps.

 

[plotalot]

Re: Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

I will have to get a check light tommorrow. In the meantime what about that fifth terminal on my rectifier? It seems to be the same color wire going into it as the two AC terminals. Thanks again for the reply.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

Sorry. That is the only picture my manual shows. It could be yours is a regulator/rectifier. They show a test procedure for that as well but dont show a picture of it or say how many leads there are.

 

[plotalot]

Re: Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

<br />Found a picture of mine or one just like it or looks that way anyhow. Any ideas? Thanks once again.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Reversed polarity on 55 Chrysler model# 557HF

The manual shows it as an additional AC hook up. There should be three wires coming to the alternator that hook up to all three of the AC positions on the rectifier. Then there should be a black wire coming from the alternator that hooks up to the - on the rectifier. My guess is the above test will show if this rectifier works.