Greg wrote:
Yellow wires are typically for the charging circuit on a merc (they are on my
2002 60 4 stroke and my old 89 75hp)

So I have probably found the correct wires....

The easiest way to get a rectifier working is to buy the merc unit ($30-40) but
it is basically just a bridge.
You could use one of those square block diode bridges if it was good for 20a or
so. The 50a ones show up on surplus sites pretty cheap.

Sounds like more than I need - running lights will not draw more than
5A, so a bridge made from 4 x 30 cent diodes should be adequate.

The problem is without a battery I am not sure how you regulate the viltage.

Single chip regulators are available for a buck or two which should do
the job, but I'd be more comfortable if I could find a circuit diagram
which has already been tested and known to work on an outboard...

Thanks for your suggestions.

Sunny