Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

[alexr254]

Hey folks!

We managed to get the engine started and running with no issues, but it seems the Alt kit we got from breezeworks is either not working (bad alt) or not installed properly...

Had the engine running for 5 minutes, shut it down, and brand new battery was drained 50%. Alt was REAL hot.
We tried pulling the + line while engine was running to see if Alt would keep it on, it shut down immediately...

We have the black like running to the coil +, red line running to the battery +, and red line connected to back of Alt....
Are we missing anything here?

 

[alexr254]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

I am thinking i may have missed the resistance wire from the coil + to the carb choke.
Not sure how this would effect the alt...

I will test that now... If anyone can chime in with any tips it would be great

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

there have been threads on here about the alternator getting switched power to that black wire on the alt. from the resistance wire on the coil and it has not been an issue for the alternator.

The black wire is switched power to turn on the alternator, red wire on the side of black is sense wire and terminal on the back of the alternator is output of the alternator.

Here is the thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=508726&highlight=470+alternator

here's another good one:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=507183&highlight=merc+470+wire+alt

 

[alexr254]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

Thanks i have saw all those threads. The difference is we are doing this without the wireing harness, while the engine is out of the boat.

So the standard terminoligy of wire colors and placement does not apply to us. I am just trying to figure out on the most common level, what gets connected to what.

 

[Don S]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

We tried pulling the + line while engine was running to see if Alt would keep it on, it shut down immediately...

NEVER, EVER, pull the battery cable or the main positive cable off the alternator with the engine running. That is a perfect way to blow all the diodes out of it. Since it kept running, you need to get it tested now.

It would also help to know what alternator you have, "kit from breezeworks" doesn't tell us what alternator you have, or how they say to wire it, or if you hooked it up exactly like the stated.

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

Below is the instructions I used to install my Breezeworks altenator.

Attach ring terminal of supplied 12? black lead to coil positive and bullet end to alternator black
Connect female end of red harness to remaining red lead of alternator, also connecting adjoining 5/16? ring terminal to charging stud on rear of alternator.
Feed remaining 3/8? ring terminal of supplied charging harness to port side of engine routing behind power-steering pump, under exhaust, continuing aft and connecting to positive post of starter solenoid coming from battery. Tighten securely. DO NOT attach to motor side of solenoid.
Re-connect battery leads and check to make sure all newly installed wiring is properly secured away from any surfaces or moving parts that could potentially damage it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

The instructions don't mean much if you don't know what alternator it is, or where the black wires come from.

 

[natemoore]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=507183

Here's a good thread. Read towards the end for Breezeworks specific stuff.

Basically, the black wire needs anywhere from 1.5 volts to 12 volts, so using coil (+) is fine. Red is the battery sense. You can connect that to battery (+), as well as the primary wire. On my boat, the small red wire and primary red wire go to the same place: the same terminal on the starter solenoid that the big fat red battery cable is connected to.

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

Don, Breezeworks only sells a 3 wire altenator for M/C 470 conversions.

 

[alexr254]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=507183&highlight=merc+470+wire+alt
This helped as it explained how it all worked perfectly... We finally got it worked out and the Alt is working great!

Thanks Eric Alpha for the link!

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

Good Grief...

 

[alexr254]

Re: Cant get Alt conversion to work properly merc 470

I thought i read through that thread before, i was wrong..

Gave u credit for pointing it out to me

Thanks again!

Sometimes i get frustrated when i feel i am almost done then, 2 steps forward 4 steps back...
Finally i can safely say i worked out all the kinks with my first ever engine rebuild, its ran now for a few hours with success on all parts.
Credit is due to entire Iboats community for helping me through this. Without this forum, i would never have gotten this far with the rebuild.