Converting from Ammeter to Voltmeter
 

Hi. I have a 78 Sleekcraft that originally had an ammeter. The red/white wire from the alternator went all the way to the front gauge area of the boat, and INTO the ammeter. It then came out of the ammeter, and went to the ignition switch.

Now I have a volt meter. I ran the red cable from the starter solonoid/battery to the battery terminal on the ignition switch.

Where does the alternator wire go now? On a boat with a voltmeter, where does the alternator wire go?

This sort of helps, looks like I don't need to run the big wire from the alt all the way to the front anymore.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...alt_wiring.gif

You can just connect the two wires that lead to the old ammeter together. That will complete the circuit exactly the same as when you had the meter installed.

GF?

Yes, but why would I run the red/white wire from the alternator ALL THE WAY to the front of the boat where the ammeter was? It is pointless, no?

Good point, I thought you already had it wired and connecting them would be an easy fix. You can connect the sensing wire directly to the battery, the starter solenoid or the Alt connector on the battery switch if you have one. This wire cannot be disconnected while the engine is running or the alternator will be damaged.