Tired of being passed

[Ship]

When I did my sail boat engine, I brought it as a kit and they sent cast aluminum fittings. They would work nicely in your configuration. They were 1-1/4" and 1-1/2".

[Quik Fix]

Couldn't find any aluminum 1 3/4" fittings. 1 1/2" was too loose.

[Quik Fix]

Time to fire it up but the 2 brand new batteries are dead. Bought them last June when the engine was supposed to be ready. Then I find this in my electronics box. Took them out and placed by the windshield and momma bird found them. What to do now? Can't pressure wash with them there. Can't move the boat. Just too much of a softie in my old age to discard them. What to do?

[Fisherlady2]

If there is a secure site really close to the boat I would move them to it. Mama bird should hear them and find them easily, just keep it at least semi sheltered from wind and rain. It will be weeks before they are ready to leave the nest. I would be in the same spot, figure they deserve a fair chance.

[Quik Fix]

While I really wish I could afford a new engine, I think the simplicity and ease of maintenance on an old school build ais a good thing. Compare Daves new engine to mine.

[Quik Fix]

Problem. No power at the ign switch. Nothing at the breaker. The ign and trim are wired separately from the rest of the panel. Everything else has power. Wire feeding ign has no power and goes through the harness to the alternator. I'm pretty good with fiberglass but I have no idea what to do here. Engine spins over if I jump at sta rter. Ign has yellow terminal in picture. Looks like my 20'er has a hot wire coming off the starter to the alternator.

[radioman]

I'm suspecting a fuse link in the wire between the starter post and the alternator.
Are you testing for 12 volts from starter post to engine block?
Also test for 12 volts from alternator output post to engine block.

[Quik Fix]

Have 12v at starter but not at alternator. Yes testing to block. I don't see a fuse between starter and alternator but on my other boat there is one. Starter and alternator are not connected. Did I lose a wire somewhere? Just connect starter and alt?

[tuner]

Generally, the alternator output is wired directly to the battery (or battery stud on starter relay) I would consider adding a fuse or large circuit breaker that is a bit higher that the max alternator output current. I'm not a fan of fusible links, make it easy to check and replace or reset.

[Quik Fix]

Thank you, Steve and Chris. So just connect the alternator to the battery with a breaker and I'm good. Thought so but electrical terrifies me. Somehow, I lost a wire while the boat was laid up. Thanks again.

[tuner]

I would use a circuit breaker with 20% higher amperage than the max alternator output. Cars and boat use fusible links but airplanes use breakers, it must be due to cost and simplicity.

[Quik Fix]

Will do Steve. She is ready to be fired up. Long time coming. Hope it preforms as good as it looks.

[tuner]

Be sure to video it running and post it up!

[Quik Fix]

Mounted breaker. good to go. engine turns over easily. will start tomorrow.

[Damon]

Good call!