The purpose of that connection is to turn the alt field off when switching batteries. If the alternator is disconnected from the batteries while on, its voltage will rise to a point that destroys the internal diodes. Turning off the field turns off the alternator. I assume that this is 2 terminals, if so, one goes to the ignition switch, the other to the alternator. When the ignition switch is off, this would have no power. Trying the battery at the solenoid might still leave quite a lot connected, usually at least the engine gauges, controls, electric fuel pump get their power from there, via the ign switch, or via a relay triggered by the switch. Lee Haefele ----- Original Message ----- From: "Letsgosailing" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 7:40 PM Subject: [Liveaboard] alternator field connection
> Hey all > Could someone more knowledgeable clarify the "field connection on the > alternator and the battery switch andwhat exactly it does effect. > I believe I am loosing current and one of the batteries drain back. It's > fairly new and I can't understand why the voltage drops. I did the old > test > interrupting the positive terminal with a light hooked up and it lights it > comes on, that means there is a leak. All the circuits are ok. I tried the > battery directly hooked up on the starter solenoid. > Any Ideas? > Yanni Marinated > S/V Princess Thalia > Hamilton-Fifty Point @H3 > www.yannismarine.ca > > _______________________________________________ > Liveaboard mailing list > [email protected] > To adjust your membership settings over the web > http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard > To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ > > To search the archives > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > The Mailman Users Guide can be found here > http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.8/1415 - Release Date: 5/5/2008 > 6:01 AM > > _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
