Great info, thanks everyone. I did not use a delco kit, just a marine alternator I fabbed up a mount for however I did notice something odd. When I connected both engines to it it got hot so I just went to the engine it was mounted on.(port side) Also the regulator that melted was on the starboard side so I am beginning to suspect my electrical problems are one the starboard side which happens to be the side the bilge blower is on. I have not cleaned up my starters yet, something I will do once I pull the engines if I ever get to that. How can I check the wiring for corroded strands without destroying them?
Typically, the Stbd side is also your House Load side.
Pull your engine harness/helm harness pin connectors apart. Look at the condition of the contact pins.
Your charge lead to the ammter and back..... plus the helm power negative, will be carried within this harness.
Any resistance will play hell with your system.
Funny thing I have what looks like a factory installed amp meter (single unit) as well as the factory volt meters in the gauge clusters. There is no wiring to it and it looks like there never was. I am going to hunt these problems down 1 at a time this season. My first purchase is going to be 2 new starting batteries to compliment my deep cycles. The factory set up was 4 batteries so I am going to start there. It would be typical for me to solve every electrical problem I am having with this first step I should have done. Instead I try to solve the resultant issues. I will post results but be patient, my time is limited. As always, thanks for all the advice.
Bob
A helm located Ammeter requires that the charge lead run forward to the helm and back.
I'd be getting rid of that, take the charge leads out of the loop (helm and back) and make a direct connection to the terminal that I suggested earlier.
The helm Ammeter can be replaced with a volt meter.
Reason that I suggest this, is that there's no need to add the resistance of this long run to/from......., and that an Ammeter is not all that valuabe to begin with.
If you'll notice, after the 70's, ammeters are rarely seen being used.
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I've lost track of whos who regarding whos having slow cranking issues.
Of you who are having slow cranking...... how many of these starter motors are the bendix style?????
Just curious!
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