dc alternator question
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Tuned
Joined: May 2011
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dc alternator question
I have the 190 amp I believe, ive noticed my power wire to it from passenger side battery getting very hot. I wanted to upgrade the wire, it is kinda corroded also. any instructions anywhere on the new cable. I wanted to just cut the ends off an run a new one. But have readsomething about piggybacking it?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
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From: Virginia Beach VA
Adding a second wire will help with electrical flow.... piggybacking. I added one from the + terminal of the alternator to the + battery terminal.
Make sure you add a second to the negative side as well and clean all the contact points good, that will help also, more than you think. - battery terminal to a mounting bolt on the alternator is a good place, easy to get to.... just make sure you get engine to frame connection clean.
Voltage starts at the negative ground, why it's so important and the most neglected, most don't know that.
Make sure you add a second to the negative side as well and clean all the contact points good, that will help also, more than you think. - battery terminal to a mounting bolt on the alternator is a good place, easy to get to.... just make sure you get engine to frame connection clean.
Voltage starts at the negative ground, why it's so important and the most neglected, most don't know that.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
You could replace it.
If it's getting hot, means it's resistance is rising and the cable is going bad. Adding a second will take some of the load off it.
You could increase the size wire or add two smaller wires, your choice, both do the same thing.... increase flow.
If it's getting hot, means it's resistance is rising and the cable is going bad. Adding a second will take some of the load off it.
You could increase the size wire or add two smaller wires, your choice, both do the same thing.... increase flow.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,833
Likes: 3,119
From: Jersey Shore
Bill,
I'm assuming although the 190a unit that no wiring addition was made to the stock wiring. If that's the case it's getting hot due to being undersized for that size alternator. The OE wiring should have been a 6ga wire at the ends that has two 12ga fusible links spliced in the center, fine at 110a but marginal at 135a. 190a is way too much.
If this has an ungraded additional wire then the corrosion on the ends and possibly internally is an issue, or you have blown one or both original fuse links causing the upgraded wire to handle excessive current.
Keep in mind that after startup and the alternator has finished powering the glow plugs and building up the depleted storage in the batteries you should be outputting less then 50a, so even the stock wiring can handle that, just not the first few minutes after startup with the high current.
So the question becomes is there only the stock wire or is there two wires off the alternator lug? And then we go from there.
I'm assuming although the 190a unit that no wiring addition was made to the stock wiring. If that's the case it's getting hot due to being undersized for that size alternator. The OE wiring should have been a 6ga wire at the ends that has two 12ga fusible links spliced in the center, fine at 110a but marginal at 135a. 190a is way too much.
If this has an ungraded additional wire then the corrosion on the ends and possibly internally is an issue, or you have blown one or both original fuse links causing the upgraded wire to handle excessive current.
Keep in mind that after startup and the alternator has finished powering the glow plugs and building up the depleted storage in the batteries you should be outputting less then 50a, so even the stock wiring can handle that, just not the first few minutes after startup with the high current.
So the question becomes is there only the stock wire or is there two wires off the alternator lug? And then we go from there.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 65
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From: Atlanta
I installed the 190 amp DC power alternator 8 months ago. I purchased it from FICMrepair.com. I also purchased the upgraded wiring kit from Ed as well. I am pleased with the set up. My old factory wiring got hot even with the OEM alternator. You can see the install at the post below.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14949963
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14949963
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Tuned
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Atlanta
Some may consider it overkill, but if I decide to upgrade to a bigger alternator later, I will be ready. I also wanted to keep the batteries and FICM happy.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Jersey Shore
You really don't need all that. Just properly sized off the alternator and a ground cable between the drivers frame and engine. About $40 total, mostly from NAPA building up the two cables.
Just checked with my infrared gun and after a cold start when the GPs are off and batteries back up I have no increase in temp on my two alternator cables.
Just checked with my infrared gun and after a cold start when the GPs are off and batteries back up I have no increase in temp on my two alternator cables.
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From: Atlanta
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