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Charging system upgrades

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Old Aug 14, 2019 | 10:59 PM
  #1  
brettdacosta's Avatar
brettdacosta
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From: Tullahoma, TN
Charging system upgrades

I have a single stock alternator with dual batteries.

I'm going to be replacing both my battery's terminal connections with military terminals and lug/ring collectors.

I'm hoping this fixes my chronic battery/alternator issues I've been having off and on for a few years now.

While I'm at it, I've read a bunch about coming up the alternator to the driver's side battery directly, but I can't find a lot of information explaining how (or more importantly, why) that is desirable. It's often discussed when people are installing new higher amp alternators.

Can someone fill me in?

Lastly, I'm going to use 2/0 connectors for all main positive/negative connections at each batteries, but I have a smaller chassis ground coming off my passenger's side negative battery terminal I'd like to know the size of (to get the right connector). Additionally, I have a smaller positive wire coming off the passenger's side positive terminal I need to know the size of too.

Thanks,
Brett
 
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Old Aug 14, 2019 | 11:26 PM
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Colorado350
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From: Colorado Springs
I ran 4/0, ordered 2/0 but got wrong stuff, from alternator to along firewall to passenger side, 150 amp fuse, then to the PS Battery. I ran the same thing between both batteries. I added an additional ground (2 gauge) from alternator mount to DS fender. So will run a power wire to the DS directly from the alternator. Either way allows the current to flow with less resistance and keeps the batteries charged, the alternator also doesn’t have to work as hard to push the current to the batteries. The batteries are stressed every time the GPR is activated and the truck is started this helps them recover quicker.
I don’t remember the sizes of the stock wires.


I also installed a NOCO 8amp smart charger to the truck. I travel for work and it keeps the batteries charged and healthy.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F163540280201
 
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Old Aug 14, 2019 | 11:30 PM
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wrong info.....
 
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Old Aug 14, 2019 | 11:36 PM
  #4  
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Below is a link to my adventure to make the electrical system in my truck much more robust, reliable and efficient. Perhaps the posts within the thread will answer some of your questions.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...energized.html
 
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