Today while motoring back to Oriental, NC from Beaufort, I failed to notice that the ignition key had been inadvertently turned off. The charge lamp was on for some time and the tachometer went dead in short order. By the time I discovered the problem, I don't know how much time had passed, but the tach was not functioning. The alternator appeared to be putting out juice and charging, judging by the analog meter I installed in the line and the condition of the batteries when we returned (both appeared to have a normal charge when we got back). Our boat is a 1981 Hunter 37 cutter with the 3QM30 engine. Question: What am I likely to have damaged? Alternator diodes? The internal regulator on the 55 amp alternator? The tachometer itself? Anyone have thoughts on this? I don't suppose the tach is on a fuse, so I'm guessing a new tachometer may be in my near future. Thanks Jack Betts