Suzuki outboard motors 1988 2003 repair manual., Page 115Get this manual
IGNITION AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS 5-3 Charging System
When the imbedded magnets in the flywheel rotate past the charging coils or AIC lighting coil(s), it creates alternating currentThis current is sent to the rectifier or combination rectifierlvoltage regulator, where it is then converted to DIG and then supplied to tlle battery or electrical accessories through fused linkA malfunction in the battery charging system will result in the battery being underchargedelectrical path, it's the first place to look if nothing on the vessel works, yet the battery seems to be charged and is properly connectedAlways replace fuses, circuit breakers and fusible links with identically rated componentsUnder no circumstances should component of hiaher or lower amoeraae ratina be substitutedGROUND
Two types of grounds are used In marlne electric clrcults Drect ground components are grounded to the electrcally conductvemetal through their mounting polnts All other components use some sort of ground wire whch leads back to the battery The electrcalcurrent runs through the ground wire and returns to the battery through the ground (-1 cable, 11you look, you'll see that the battery ground cable connects between the battery and heavy gauge ground wlre
It should be noted that good percentage of electrical problems can be traced to bad groundsSWITCHESRELAYS
See Figure 3
Switches are used in electrical circuits to control the passage of current, The most common use is to open and close circuits between the battery and the various electric devices in the systemSwitches are rated according to the amount of amperage they can handleIf sufficient amperage rated switch is not used in circuit, the switch could overload and cause damageSome electrical components which require large amount of current to operate use special switch called relaySince these circuits carry large amount of current, the thickness of the wire in the circuit is also greaterIf this large wire were connected from the load to the control switch, the switch would have to carry the high amperage load and the space needed for wiring in the vessel would be twice as big to accommodate the increased size of the wiring harnessTo prevent these problems, relay is usedRelays are composed of coil and set of contactsWhen the coil has current passed though it, magnetic field is formed and this field causes the contacts to move together, completing the circuitMost relays are normally open, preventing current from passing through the circuit, but they can take any electrical form depending on the job they are intended to doRelays can be considered "remote control switches They allow smaller current to operate devices that require higher amperagesWhen small current operates the coil, larger current is allowed to pass by the contactsSome common circuits which may use relays are horns, lights, starter, electric fuel pumps and other high draw circuitsPROTECTIVE DEVICES