Where is the intended electrical negative connection point on the Beta 38? It appears that my Beta 38 was installed with the negative electrical connected to a bolt near, but directly attached to, the starter (at the right side in the attached photo). I am told that running current through the engine block is poor practice since iron is not a great conductor and electrolysis of engine parts could be accelerated. Since I am in process of redoing much of the main battery and charging electrical on the boat, now would be a good time to improve things. It seems to me that running heavy-gauge negative cables as directly as possible to both the starter and the alternator would be best practice, so what is the best way to accomplish that on my engine (WOC K35616)? Of course yet a third connection could also be made directly to the block too, if advisable.

Related, is there an accessible (heavy) negative connection on the alternator? Is it under the cover indicated on the attached photos of my alternator and one from the instruction for installing the brush box (for external smart regulation)? Or, if the alternator is only case-grounded, should I not be worried that all of the negative-conductor current is running through the engine block?

In an earlier post, I asked about my heat exchanger zincs wearing so quickly. I just changed it again and found that the zinc piece had worn through very near the mounting cap and yet a largish chuck of pretty unworn cylindrical zinc was stranded up in the exchanger hole. I was able to remove it by poking gently with a small pick and replace the whole cap/zinc yet again, but I am now wondering if some of the electrical routing somehow could be contributing to the recurring problem.

-- Edited by Blue Moon on Thursday 27th of June 2019 10:03:17 PM