Electrical ground
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Nova Scotia
Electrical ground
Can someone point me to the thread of the ground fix that someone on here proposed? It involved some #2 welding cable to double up on the major vehicle grounds....
Thanx, I appreciate any help with this... my trucks electrics have started going wonky, especially during wet weather, to the point that it will drain the battery while running and then not start when turned off.
Thanx, I appreciate any help with this... my trucks electrics have started going wonky, especially during wet weather, to the point that it will drain the battery while running and then not start when turned off.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
That doesn't sound like a ground loop problem, but what you're talking about is the big three upgrade.
Unless you have an upgraded alternator, 4ga wire is sufficient. 4ga welding wire is available most places, you will need 6 ring terminals. I did mine in 1/0 wire. It took about 6' of red to do the alt to battery (put a fuse on this wire). Then another 6' or so to run a wire from near the alt housing to the factory body ground. Then about 8" to go from a stock bolt on the fender to the battery. The stock wires were retained when I did this and I used 1/0 wire because of my winch and 230 amp alternator. With the stock 130amp, you should only need 4ga and 2ga would nice if you can find it. 2ga isn't common in the aftermarket world, we pretty much go 1/0, 4ga, 8ga, 10ga and the smaller stuff.
The wet weather problem could be corrosion on the ground contacts, so clean them up as you work.
Unless you have an upgraded alternator, 4ga wire is sufficient. 4ga welding wire is available most places, you will need 6 ring terminals. I did mine in 1/0 wire. It took about 6' of red to do the alt to battery (put a fuse on this wire). Then another 6' or so to run a wire from near the alt housing to the factory body ground. Then about 8" to go from a stock bolt on the fender to the battery. The stock wires were retained when I did this and I used 1/0 wire because of my winch and 230 amp alternator. With the stock 130amp, you should only need 4ga and 2ga would nice if you can find it. 2ga isn't common in the aftermarket world, we pretty much go 1/0, 4ga, 8ga, 10ga and the smaller stuff.
The wet weather problem could be corrosion on the ground contacts, so clean them up as you work.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Nova Scotia
Thanx brother... hopefully this will do the trick. I am going to be installing a 12000lb winch so I may go the 1/0 route if I can't find #2.
Can I ask what advantage the 230 amp alt gave you or why you decided to upgrade it?
Can I ask what advantage the 230 amp alt gave you or why you decided to upgrade it?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
I want to run 600 watts of stereo system, which is an additional 50-75amp load, plus I have a Warn M1200 which pulls a lot of current as well. If you figure the factory gives 10% head room in the alt, The stock system can spare 13amps with all of the accessories on. With all accessories on and my 600 watt stereo I'm looking at around 192amp load.
I've had headaches with power master 200 amp alternators, and them my Metra rep told me about the their new line of alts. They had a 230amp available, so I got it instead of the Powermaster 200.
If your doing the winch, it will actually be grounded to the body, so it's ground wire (I think mine 6ga) will provide additional chassis to battery wire. I did all 1/0 because I had a spool of it, the stock 8ga and the 6ga should be enough if you want to skip this one wire.
I've had headaches with power master 200 amp alternators, and them my Metra rep told me about the their new line of alts. They had a 230amp available, so I got it instead of the Powermaster 200.
If your doing the winch, it will actually be grounded to the body, so it's ground wire (I think mine 6ga) will provide additional chassis to battery wire. I did all 1/0 because I had a spool of it, the stock 8ga and the 6ga should be enough if you want to skip this one wire.
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