Ok so I have wired up many many alternators, I have put them where generators used to live and installed internally regulated where external regulated is supposed to go. Aside from one Ford being wired with a feedback to the coil that prevented the engine from turning off I have never had an issue. So my issue is this. My alternator is hot even with the engine off! It’s a Wilson new alternator that was a direct cross from my original one (1979 Catalina 30 with a Universal 5411). The only difference physically was the mounting ear only has one position, the original had 3. I have completely rewired the engine (and boat) and I only noticed this tonight.
Now this usually happens when a you leave the ignition switch in the “on” position, mine is off. I have this wired as so.
Purple (excite) to ignition switch hot in run only
Red (small) to battery output (sense wire)
Red (Large) to house batteries.
the alternator pictured is what mine looks like. I am not using the AC tap for a tach or hour meter at this time. Any suggestions? I disconnected the main feed to the batteries and the sense wire as well and the alternator cooled off pretty quick.
Now this usually happens when a you leave the ignition switch in the “on” position, mine is off. I have this wired as so.
Purple (excite) to ignition switch hot in run only
Red (small) to battery output (sense wire)
Red (Large) to house batteries.
the alternator pictured is what mine looks like. I am not using the AC tap for a tach or hour meter at this time. Any suggestions? I disconnected the main feed to the batteries and the sense wire as well and the alternator cooled off pretty quick.
