Electrical Question/Issue

MotorlessCSJ16

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 9, 2009
Messages
47
I noticed the other day that my exhaust housing had some ground wires (well I'm guessing that's what they were) that had rusted off. Here's a pic:

DSC00840.jpg


I attempted to reconnect them with some new wire and it seemed to work but, after driving home today, I noticed one came off again because I didn't secure it good enough.

I went to reconnect it only to get a vicious spark and it basically melted a little bit of wire.

I was just curious what the purpose of these are...are they necessary?

I was just going to leave them but, if they have something to do with the sensors, alarms, etc., that's not something I want to leave non-functioning.

Let me know!
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,239
Re: Electrical Question/Issue

Ayuh,... That a Continuity strap,... A Ground strap with an engineering degree...
They're usually a tinned copper braid wire...
It's part of the motor's bonding system to fight corrosion..

The Problem is,... There shoudn't be Any electrical current there....
I'd say you got a Serious Wiring issue somewhere, that's showing up at that strap...
 

CharlieB

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
5,617
Re: Electrical Question/Issue

Grab your trusty DC Volt meter and test between the motor and the boat, there should be NO voltage.

Which side is +, the boat or the motor?

Disconnect the positive cable from the battery , switch the meter to Ohms, test between the + battery cable and the boat or motor, whichever one was +.

Start checking everything electrical for the + connection to the hull or steering cable.

Do you have a cigarette lighter wired backwards?
 
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