New Alternator Install

[ericnord 10+ year member]

Hey everyone,

After upgrading my stereo my Explorer now requires more power. I have a 220amp alt. on the way and I had some questions about it.

1. To accomodate for the increase in amperage I will run some 1/0 gauge wire from the output of alt. directly to the pos. post on battery. I will also leave the stock wire from the alt. output to the fuse box. Is this the right thing to do and should I fuse the 1/0 wire run, if so what size fuse?

2. Is there something inside an alternator that tells it when the battery needs power? I don't want this large alt. blowing up my battery by feeding it too much power.

3. Since I am running the 1/0 wire to battery, must I also do the "Big 3" upgrade? I would rather not and this alt. will be plenty of power for my system.

Thanks for any help,

-Eric

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[UndercoverPunk 5,000+ posts]

3. Since I am running the 1/0 wire to battery, must I also do the "Big 3" upgrade? I would rather not and this alt. will be plenty of power for my system.

Don't so f'ing lazy, do the big three, it's not very expensive and it can only help...//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[old basshead 10+ year member]

ok my friend this is what fuse size you need 1/0 is good for up to 170 amps but what in your car can handle that kind of power where are you going to put this fuse???

 

[req 5,000+ posts]

dude. a 2 foot long 1\0 guage wire can hold LOTS more that 170 amps

i would say its not nessicary to fuse the wire, but its definatly a GOOD practice. and i would seriously advise doing it... because if that wire overheats from the engine heat, it most certainly could ground out on your engine block and melt a hole in your header (not good)

fuse = good

and yes, there is a regulator inside the alt that knows when the batt is low on power //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[ericnord 10+ year member]

Thanks reg,

What size fuse so it pops in the bad scenario that the wire grounds out? I don't want my battery popping.

 

[req 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/mad.gif.c18f003ab0ef8a0d9c27ca78d77a6392.gif REQ //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/mad.gif.c18f003ab0ef8a0d9c27ca78d77a6392.gif

 

[ericnord 10+ year member]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif ????? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

Oh, req, my bad //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crying.gif.ec0ebefe590df0251476573bc49e46d8.gif

 

[Dtowncats 10+ year member]

On 1/0 wire a 250 amp fuse should be fine.