pbudzy

looking to upgrade my amp and charging wire....then battery. I want to start with a high amp alternator as was wondering if anyone knew who i should be talking to about purchasing one...any that are better than others?

Anyone that sells a wiring kit 4gauge wire some lugs an amp box and amp and some heat shrink let than 60 bux i find on ebay?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261119730025...84.m1423.l2649

Found this is it any good? anyone have experience with them or sucsessfully integrated a high amp alternator without problems?

Lets all chime in on this....even if you just want to call me a nub, I welcome the bumps and any other constructive feedback.

rzldzl

i put in 220a alt ~3mos ago and 1 awg wires.

everything works as it should

5-90

The only real problem is going to be properly crimping the lugs - takes some doing.

Also, don't forget that you'll have to fuse the circuit for the alternator output - every vehicle I've ever worked on (the earliest being a 1956 Corvette) has had some variety of fuse in that circuit - we have to assume it's there for a reason.

As far as what gage to use - how far are you going to go with your alternator? Be advised that 4AWG may be too much.

Hit me backchannel if you have any questions, I'll be glad to help!

wrapstar

[QUOTE=5-90;2298922]
As far as what gage to use - how far are you going to go with your alternator? Be advised that 4AWG may be too much./QUOTE]

There's no such thing as too much when it comes to wire for anything over 200 amps I'd use nothing less then 2ga. You can't pull all that power threw a small ga. wire

ryan8551226

Why not? They are not that long of runs.

wrapstar

It's that whole sucking a golf ball threw a garden hose analogy. It's not the length of the run its the amount of power your trying to force threw it.

5-90

Too much current flowing through a given wire - even if it's only 3" long - can create enough heat to start a fire. There's some forgiveness with careful design, but you don't want to overdo it, or you're going to cause yourself trouble.

This is why I use a set of pessimistic assumptions in design - I don't like my gear to fail.

ryan8551226

I actually share your sentiments and respect your opinion. At what amperage does 4 gauge stop being a viable solution for short runs?

5-90

Most ampacity specs are given in multiples of 25 feet - I work in shorter multiples for automotive stuff (obviously.)

I've rated 4AWG for up to 150A, assuming underhood operating environment and a 100% duty cycle (I'm paranoid.)

Yeah, I'm sure you could push it farther, but I won't endorse it professionally.

The guy using 1AWG with a 220A alternator is in good shape - I've rated 1AWG for underhood runs for up to ~280A.

(N.B. - "Underhood runs" means an assumed 100%dc, elevated operating tempeartures - which does reduce ampacity - and lengths under ten feed end-to-end. Any supplemental covering would be convolute tubing or expandable Nylon mesh tube - if you're going to cover it more than either of those, knock those figures down about 5%.)

ryan8551226

Thanks for such a detailed response. Im going to bow out now as i dont want to thread jack

rzldzl

i should hope so, theyre your wires.