Alternator wiring
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From: Bristol TN.
Alternator wiring
Hey guys I'm wiring up my engine to get it started (basically gonna be a temporary setup). I am running a duraspark II system and a ford alternator with 3 or 4 connections on the back. It has a stator, battery, field, and ground. Could I hook it up like the pics below and be good to go? I wanted to see what you guys thought first.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Bristol TN.
Great! Should I run a 10 gauge wire from alternator to battery then splice a 16 gauge to the 10 gauge and run the 16 Gauge to the regulator? Do I even need to use the "I" connector on the regulator?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
The I circuit is for an idiot light, that "turns on" the alternator (power from ignition key). Don't splice, the 10 (or 8 ga) wire should be a fusible link.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
The wire gauge depends on two key items: wire length and charging current.
If you have a 100 amp alternator, I'd use a fatter wire for the charging circuit. If the run is very long (more than 3 feet or so) I would, again, consider bigger wire.
10 gauge will be fine if you have a short run and a 36 amp alternator. If, on the other hand, you have the high output alternator (65 to 100 amp), and you ever end up with a dead battery & jump start the truck, that wire will have to carry a big load for longer than normal...it could melt the insulation and that of any wires bundled to it.
Dan
If you have a 100 amp alternator, I'd use a fatter wire for the charging circuit. If the run is very long (more than 3 feet or so) I would, again, consider bigger wire.
10 gauge will be fine if you have a short run and a 36 amp alternator. If, on the other hand, you have the high output alternator (65 to 100 amp), and you ever end up with a dead battery & jump start the truck, that wire will have to carry a big load for longer than normal...it could melt the insulation and that of any wires bundled to it.
Dan
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