Hello,
I just finished wiring a boat with a carbed Chevy big block for a friend, and wired an alternator for the first time. It's a very simple boat with only enough electronics to fire the ignition, bilge pump, and horn. I wired the alternator according to the manufacturer's spec (POS, NEG, EXC to key on power source). I wired the ignition light (supplied with a switch panel that was purchased for this boat) into the alternator EXC wire in this fashion: Key-on power to the + side of the light, and the - side of the light to the EXC post on the alternator. When the key is ON, the ign. light illuminates. However, once the engine starts, the light remains on, and the battery shows a discharging state. =The alternator is not charging.
If I disconnect the EXC wire at the alternator, the ign light goes out on the switch panel. So this is telling me that no wires were crossed, etc. However, here is the weird part: With the EXC wire disconnected at the alternator, I can put a test light on the end of the wire and to the battery negative. This completes the circuit again and the dash light comes back on, but the test light does not light up. I verified the test light is working.
Any ideas? I am wondering if the ign light is an LED. However, I can't find any info on it. I am thinking this is probably something small and stupid that I just can't see.
Thanks,
Mike
I just finished wiring a boat with a carbed Chevy big block for a friend, and wired an alternator for the first time. It's a very simple boat with only enough electronics to fire the ignition, bilge pump, and horn. I wired the alternator according to the manufacturer's spec (POS, NEG, EXC to key on power source). I wired the ignition light (supplied with a switch panel that was purchased for this boat) into the alternator EXC wire in this fashion: Key-on power to the + side of the light, and the - side of the light to the EXC post on the alternator. When the key is ON, the ign. light illuminates. However, once the engine starts, the light remains on, and the battery shows a discharging state. =The alternator is not charging.
If I disconnect the EXC wire at the alternator, the ign light goes out on the switch panel. So this is telling me that no wires were crossed, etc. However, here is the weird part: With the EXC wire disconnected at the alternator, I can put a test light on the end of the wire and to the battery negative. This completes the circuit again and the dash light comes back on, but the test light does not light up. I verified the test light is working.
Any ideas? I am wondering if the ign light is an LED. However, I can't find any info on it. I am thinking this is probably something small and stupid that I just can't see.
Thanks,
Mike