Oops...messed up my alternator connections.

[rennch]

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.

[rennch]

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.

[Walter_Middie]

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?

[Joe Bob]

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?

[E Sully]

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

[Tigerrat]

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

[spooldup]

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

[rennch]

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.