Battery connected backwards

[CaptianWilly]

I took my 16 yo son with me this weekend to get our boat out of storage. He wanted to be helpful so I told him to get the battery connected so I could raise the outdrive for towing. I have a '89 SeaRay 230CC with the 5.7L engine and a Alpha One leg. It never occured to me I needed to explain neg to neg, pos to pos as we've worked on the boat together on many occasions. Needless to say, he connected the battery backwards. When I had him turn the Perko battery switch, he yelled at me he thought something was wrong. By the time I got there the engine compartment was filled with smoke. I immediately dissconnected the switch but obviously the damage was already done. I reacted too quickly to be sure what position the switch was in but I think it was in position 2. I haven't had time to get into just what may have gone up in smoke. Anybody have any input just what I might need to look for or what could have been toasted with the reverse hookup?
I'm not going to try to start the engine unline the threat of freezing is past so I'm anticipating it will be a couple weeks yet. I would like to trace the wires that were damaged in the interum and repaire what I can. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Bill

 

[SCORPIO]

Sorry that had to happen, your son probablly feels awful. I'd say the bat. ****ch is probablly toast, as well as the primary cables going to and from the switch. Make a THOROUGH inspection of all wires you can find to be sure nothing is melted. The alternator diodes may have gone up in smoke also. Was there any smoke from the helm instrument area?

 

[CaptianWilly]

I didn't see any smoke or issueat the helm so I think the gauges are probably ok. I'll know more once I get an opportunity to start the engine. I'm hoping the primary wires are the worst ofthe problem. A new alternator wouldn't be the worst situation either....the one that is on it always seemed to whine loudly anyway.
I'll keep you posted as it develops. Thanks for the response.

Bill

 

[SCORPIO]

Is the word SWITCH now a bad word that the censor software won't allow? I proof read my other post and it was spelled correctly, hmmmm.

 

[blue matin]

dont get to worried, I had the same prom happen to me on new 4.3 engines, however it was not as bad as i thought , ur engine little older than mine i am not sure if the protection has changed any , but what i found where basically solenoids went bad ,.
i would check all fuses on the engine , and check the battery switch also. i also thought my alternators diodes were gone but they were fine, ohh remember the starter fuse located on the starter, ofcourse inspect cables to main engine just incase,, good luck dont get to concern till u have to, it might be less stress then u think ,