Pearson Yachts Forum

Pearson Boats - Common Systems => Electrical Systems & Electronics => Topic started by: Blue Spray on April 17, 2012, 02:16:04 PM

Title: Alternator Wiring
Post by: Blue Spray on April 17, 2012, 02:16:04 PM

I am in the the process of changing my battery switch to an add-a-battery switch and on the back of my old switch two wires attached to field lugs and two small gauge wires going to the alternator.  Does anyone know what there wires do? there is no place for them on the new Add-a-Battery switch. I have an Atomic4 with I believe the original alternator

Title: Re: Alternator Wiring
Post by: Dave on April 30, 2012, 09:44:11 AM

My alternator has two small wires that are used for excitation of the alternator.

Title: Re: Alternator Wiring
Post by: Alma on June 11, 2012, 10:34:19 PM

I believe some battery switches have field-disconnect switches to protect the alternator from destroyed diodes in case of a battery switch being set to "off" position while engine is running.
This is a good idea when kids or inexperienced folks might turn the switch.

There are "automatic" devices available called "spike stop" or something like that that do the same thing with a switch that has no field disconnect.