big three question.
#11
thanks for all the advice guys but one more question. if i use 0ga wirer, can i use welding wire for example rather than that expensive street wire? 0-ga is really expensive.
[ August 16, 2005, 07:33 AM: Message edited by: mayhem ]
[ August 16, 2005, 07:33 AM: Message edited by: mayhem ]
#13
Originally posted by Dukk:
Is having a 0ga charge lead going to make your stock alternator make more current?
Is having a 0ga charge lead going to make your stock alternator make more current?
#15
Originally posted by mayhem:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Dukk:
Is having a 0ga charge lead going to make your stock alternator make more current?
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Dukk:
Is having a 0ga charge lead going to make your stock alternator make more current?
I did. I'm running 2Kw in my van & have so for over a year, regularly make the alternator send over 50 amps to the rear, and again, have so for over a year, in a high-mileage work van, stock 105 amp alternator w/ a small Mustang/Cougar pulley to speed it up for better output at idle speeds. Not original, but is still just a stock 105 CS130D alternator. If it dies before I get rid of this van, I'll probably bolt in a 140 amp, since it doesn't cost me much more.
I ran 2ga. welding cable from the alt to battery, to solenoid switch, to rear battery, to junction block. Also ran new grounds, front bat to frame, and front bat to alternator bracket, continues to tranny bolt, continues to frame at rear, continues to rear battery & junction block. 2 is enough, I'll probably be replacing this vehicle in the next year (it has 400,000km's) or so, and will wire the new one with 2/0ga, so I can get more/bigger amps that require a custom alternator.
So ya, if ya like tinkering yourself, start adding cable here & there. You don't have to do it all at once, if you do it a piece at a time you can observe the benefits that each piece makes. It's truley amazing how just one cable in the "right place" can make such a difference.
Good luck, have fun!
#16
Originally posted by Dukk:
Is having a 0ga charge lead going to make your stock alternator make more current?
Is having a 0ga charge lead going to make your stock alternator make more current?
Or how about I ask you.
Is having a 0ga charge lead going to make you stock alternator make LESS current?
Smarty pants....
X
#17
Originally posted by Xiph0id:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Dukk:
Is having a 0ga charge lead going to make your stock alternator make more current?
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Dukk:
Is having a 0ga charge lead going to make your stock alternator make more current?
Or how about I ask you.
Is having a 0ga charge lead going to make you stock alternator make LESS current?
good one but he makes a point.
Smarty pants....
X </font>[/QUOTE]
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Well, see now, I know the answer but was hoping that somebody would turn on their noodle and maybe think about what they are doing rather than merely being a sheeple and following the herd.
Not to insult you Mayhem but you have commented a couple of times that you are just 'doing what you have read'. That very practice has lead a lot of people into doing dumb things like, say, stiffening caps for regulated amps, centre channels for SQ, and using sealed enclosures.
Just trying to get people to burn the dust out every now and then [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
If you ask me - upgrading the charge wire is the LAST thing to do, along with the engine to chassis ground. They have minimal effect with a stock alternator. BUT if you have the time and money, it won't (usually) hurt anything.
Not to insult you Mayhem but you have commented a couple of times that you are just 'doing what you have read'. That very practice has lead a lot of people into doing dumb things like, say, stiffening caps for regulated amps, centre channels for SQ, and using sealed enclosures.
Just trying to get people to burn the dust out every now and then [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
If you ask me - upgrading the charge wire is the LAST thing to do, along with the engine to chassis ground. They have minimal effect with a stock alternator. BUT if you have the time and money, it won't (usually) hurt anything.
#20
If you ask me - upgrading the charge wire is the LAST thing to do, along with the engine to chassis ground. They have minimal effect with a stock alternator.
Mind you, these were cars that were here because someone installed big stereo equipment and then the owner was running into voltage problems at red lights and whatnot.
However, my own van, not using SPL meters but just listening to the SQ of it all and measuring voltage fluctuations, adding decent cabling made a huge difference. You could instantly hear the cleaner, tighter bass out of my sub. It had a drastic effect on the alternator's ability to keep the voltage smooth. This was before I got into the big Orion gear, when my total output wattage was still under 600w, and my sub wattage was only 300. AVR the system back then, and it was only drawing 20 amps, 25 when cranked "full tilt". Now, it draws 80-100 amps for music.
If you're gonna start adding equipment to any vehicle, adding a few cables first is cheap, easy, and will save you troubles "down the road".