f900 asked this question on 5/27/2000:

Etrasher why is battery not getting charged.Mercruiser 488with direct drive alternator charging system.Ran thru all the test in the manual all lead to the voltage regulator" water cooled"changed the regulator with no help still not charging.note: the battery got hooked up in reverse could that have damaged any thing.Any help will greatly be appreciate.

ETRASHER gave this response on 5/27/2000:

hooking the battery up in reverse would have blown all the diodes for the alternator.you will have to replace the aLternator.

f900 asked this follow-up question on 5/27/2000:

About replacing the alternator... In your previous experiences with this type of engine (if you do have any...), what do you suggest would be the best route to take to fix the problem?

The alternator on this particular engine is a "direct drive" system; therefore, the alternator is not an actual "component" to remove. Do you happen to know where the diodes are housed due to this fact? Are these diodes in the stator assembly? Or, in the voltage regulator?

I appreciate your assistance in this problem...

ETRASHER gave this response on 5/28/2000:

since this is a mercrusier engine you can be sure that yyou will need special tools.always with mercrusier. you are going to have to pull the front cover on this one and the diodes ,if i remember right,are on the inside with the field.this system does not give much trouble.

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f900 rated this answer a 4.