big 3 upgrade
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
big 3 upgrade
How many Amps should a 1/0 guage wire be fused for? I ordered 250 amp ANL fuses/holders because my alt is rated for 220 amp and I wanted 10% for surge. I found online that 1/0 should only handle 130 amps continous. Anyone on here have any expirience with this type of upgrade?
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From: Virginia
I am going by the NEC electrical code book for electrical work in residential and commercial wiring. It is a lot more conservative than the wiring specs they use for vehicles, so it should give you plenty of headroom.
They list a 1/0 copper conductor wire with 194 degree rated insulation in free air by itself is rated for 260 amps.
If the same wire is in a cable with other wires, it is rated at 170 amps.
They list a 1/0 copper conductor wire with 194 degree rated insulation in free air by itself is rated for 260 amps.
If the same wire is in a cable with other wires, it is rated at 170 amps.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
You can run any length with that many amps. They are not taking into consideration voltage drop, which is what you would be concerned with for length.
Unless you are going to run the cable all the way to th rear of the vehicle, I do not think length will become a factor.
I do not know what you intend to run with this alternator, but I doubt you will ever use it's full output. You will never get full output anyway unless you run the engine rpms way up. And don't forget the battery is in the system too, so it will always take up some of the slack if the voltage in the system drops to around 12.
Unless you are going to run the cable all the way to th rear of the vehicle, I do not think length will become a factor.
I do not know what you intend to run with this alternator, but I doubt you will ever use it's full output. You will never get full output anyway unless you run the engine rpms way up. And don't forget the battery is in the system too, so it will always take up some of the slack if the voltage in the system drops to around 12.
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
Well the charge wire is done and the 220 amp alt is in. I have a 250 amp fuse inline, but I couldn't connect the stock charge wire yet.
I made a PDF of my install, I am quite pleased with it and will post pictures hopefully tomorrow.
http://home.cfl.rr.com/reax/alt.pdf
I made a PDF of my install, I am quite pleased with it and will post pictures hopefully tomorrow.
http://home.cfl.rr.com/reax/alt.pdf
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
I didn't get pictures cause the battery was dead again. So a new optima will be in monday, good news is I am stuck at home all weekend so I'll be able to finish the grounds and maybe even make a set of jumper cables from hell, 1/0 aught to start a motor quick.
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
The alternator is not charging. I think the problem was carried over from the old one as well. While idling the battery has 11.93v, batt to alt housing 11.89, charging fuse to batt 11.89. Engine off batt has 12.18v. It looks like I will be tracing wires this weekend. Any know of common issues with 2002 F250 SD with 5.4l?
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
Charge wire
.
.
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finished
Last edited by ReAX; Sep 30, 2006 at 03:08 PM. Reason: I did put the belt back on before testing.
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