My problem now is where do I connect the negative battery cable. It was connected to the starter motor. 1980 ODay 28.
Took out zephyr sail drive motor
- Thread starter leela
- Start date
We're going to need a little more information. Do you mean the motor is completely out of the boat? What did you replace it with?
It is very unusual for the DC negative to be connected to the starter motor. Typically the starter is case grounded meaning the DC- that is attached to the engine block serves as the DC- for the starter. The connection is made through the metal case of the starter.
It is very unusual for the DC negative to be connected to the starter motor. Typically the starter is case grounded meaning the DC- that is attached to the engine block serves as the DC- for the starter. The connection is made through the metal case of the starter.
Either way (ground wire on starter or grounded to the engine block)….where do “motor-less” boats ground the dc system?
Greg
Greg
Since I have an engine with a ground I haven't delved very deeply into this issue. If you don't have an engine and don't have any AC on board there is no problem connecting all the DC- to a common bus bar. The problem arises with shore power and a path from the shore power to the DC system as might happen with an inverter/charger or just a charger. The DC- is connected to the engine block for 2 reasons, to serve the DC- for the starter and sometimes the alternator. It also provides an AC ground through the prop shaft to water.
If you intend to connect to shore power and AC devices on board, then this is where you want to get advice from an ABYC certified Marine Electrician.
If you intend to connect to shore power and AC devices on board, then this is where you want to get advice from an ABYC certified Marine Electrician.
The engine part is the sane as a 20 HP OMC outboard unit from that era.. meant to be transom mounted so it had to have a ground back to the battery for the starter to work.. It may be a dedicated engine ground going back directly to the battery (as it would be on an outboard) and if so the cable can be deleted.