Finding Alternator "Hot" Wire

[montenido]

Hi all,

I just finished a major reconfiguration of my batteries, both location and wiring. I have a new Iota 30 amp charger going to my house bank (3 x 27s), with my back up battery being charged through an Echocharger. Now to complete this set up, I want to run my alternator "hot" wire to the house bank as well. The Echocharger will do the rest.

On a C36 mark 1, does anybody know where the alternator output usually goes? Would it be to the neutral on the battery switch? Can I find it by using a multimeter? If so, a couple of tips on tracking it down would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, Bill

(I will post pics when I finish)

[hellosailor]

"I want to run my alternator "hot" wire to the house bank as well."
Uh, that's unclear. You want to run the alternator output directly to the house bank as well as what to/or where?

The alternator output lead is usually fairly easy to find, a much larger guage than anything else coming off an isolated post on the alternator. Spot it there, look for the same unique wire at the other end of the harness.

Yes, the alternator output usually goes to a common (not "neutral", that's a term in AC wiring) point on the switch. I've also seen it go directly to the starter, and from there to the switch, as a way of saving wire.

But a little sketch of the whole system might save a lot of words and wonders. A simple misunderstanding on a charging system can lead to "BOOM!" or "ZZZT!" and that can really ruin the party.

[mitiempo]

On a Catalina 30 the alternator positive output goes to the starter which is already connected to the common on the 1/2/both switch by a reasonably heavy wire. I wouldn't think the C36 is any different. If there is a wire heavier than the others going from the alt to the starter that will be it. If you can see the alternator connections clearly it will be labeled "B+".

[Maine Sail]

On the c36 w/m-25 the alt output runs from the alt to the starter post using a few inches of approx 10 ga red wire.