'93 20hp Johnson Electric

[DuckFan]

I could use some advice. I have a 1993 20hp Johnson Electric (J20ELET) and I hate to admit it but in a rush to complete some work on it I hooked the battery up backwards…but only for a few seconds. Yes I know what an idiot. Well now my issue is to try and figure out what damage I have done. When I did this I could hear under the motor cover a crackling and a pop then I lifted the cover and there was some smoke. I looked over the motor really good and did not see anything fried or wrong. I started the motor up and it seemed to run fine. This model has the 4 amp charging kit on it and according to the owner’s manual; it indicates that damage to the charging system will occur if the battery is hooked up backwards “even briefly”. So my questions are:<br /> What did I do?<br /> Is it something I can fix easily? If so what do I do?<br />If the Motor seems to be running OK do I need to fix the charging system if it is fried? Or can I run the motor with out it?<br />Might I have done damage to something else I should be aware of?<br />How would I test if I truly damaged the Charging system?<br /><br />Any help with this is appreciated. I really feel like a Homer about this… Doh!!<br /><br />DuckFan

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: '93 20hp Johnson Electric

More than likely, you burned out the rectifier.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: '93 20hp Johnson Electric

Hopefully only the rectifier.A millisecond is long enough to do LOTS of damage,with crossed polarity.<br /><br />To check for damage,connect a volt meter to the battery and look at the voltage.Now start the engine (volts will drop while cranking).<br /><br />When you rev the motor,voltage should rise.<br /><br />If it doesn't ... at least a rectifier.<br /><br />DHP

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: '93 20hp Johnson Electric

And if the voltage does not rise, you can buy a new rectifier here at i-boats...<br /><br /><br /> Rectifier