Oops...messed up my alternator connections.
 

I just had my alternator rebuilt, and did a makeover on my engine while it was out. When I buttoned it back up and reconnected the battery, the battery ground strap got SO hot that it seared my fingers when I tried to remove it. Something is obviously amiss, though I thought I had it connected correctly.

I'll return with pics when i get it apart again. I'm hoping i didn't fry my new alternator. :(

Ok, I'm stumped. On second check, it looks like it's connected fine.

Red to B+
brown to D-
Blue to 61
Ground strap is to a blank post above D-. (I previously had it connected to D-)

I didn't connect DF because I was just trying it out. I was able to connect the battery with no problem while the connections were loose, but as soon as I tightened everything up and tried to connect the battery, the battery ground strap got super hot again and I had to disconnect. I'm stumped.

Which car are you working on? Does it have an internal or external voltage regulator?

D- Ground, brown wires AND a braided ground strap to the top of the engine;

All other connections look correct.

Did you have anything disconnected from the starter while you were doing a makeover on the engine compartment?

I checked my Bentley and your connects look to be correct. Maybe one or more of the grounds to the alt are energized? Do you have a multimeter?

Always state year and model of car. I have these 2 hook ups.
First pic 1973
Second pic 1986

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1306096725.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1306096796.jpg

Disconnect the alt. then try the bat to see if indeed it's an alt. issue.

If is the style as shown on the 86, you can't do it wrong. The red wire take a 10mm, the brown wires are 8mm and blue is 7mm

Well, for better of for worse, I figured it out. It turns out there were some "insulator" washers that I didn't initially include on the B+ post, and I think the main power wire was grounding out on the body of the alternator. Again, it remains to be seen if I fried the alternator. My multimeter wasn't working well, so I couldn't check voltage. I definitely need a new battery too, so that's the next step. Thanks for the help.