Voltmeter conversion

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by fintubi

My question: if this is done, does the master breaker retain any function? The new connection to the alternator presents unfused B+ at the line side of Fuses #1 and #2 via the original orange alternator wire, effectively jumpering the feed to the same fuses via the breaker.

Thanks,
Bill

The additional wire that is recommended for alternators that may feed 80 or more amps runs from the B terminal off the alternator (the charging voltage) directly to the battery thus bypassing the 50 amp circuit breaker. A short to ground on this new wire is not going to be protected by the circuit breaker and will indeed provide one hell of a fireworks show. However, a short to ground on other areas of the wiring circuits, that don't back feed through this new wire, would still be protected. But, I can't think of any circuit that wouldn't back feed through this new wire so the circuit breaker effectively protects nothing.