1970 thunderbolt 500 rectifier

[bastienlaf]

Hi guys! I just got out of the lake I had a problem with my 50hp 1970 thunderbolt 500. I beached after a quick ride and after that the engine would not crank the battery was dead. After a quick inspection I saw that the rectifier and the wires that attach to it were starting to melt. the damages are not so bad but i guess the rectifier is fried and was not charging the battery. I will order a new rectifier, but i just want to make sure that the problem is from the rectifier itself. Is there anything else that would cause the rectifier to overheat?
One other question. If I have a fully charged battery would the motor run with a broken rectifier? Is the battery only use to crank the engine or it is use for the ignition as well?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Quicksilver]

Hooking the battery up backwards, disconnecting the battery while running, using the motor to charge a low or dead battery, defective wiring; will ruin the charging system. That motor uses a magneto type ignition so it doesn't need a battery to run.