Alternator question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
Alternator question
I have just purchased a new chrome 100 AMP alternator for my car and the guy said the red wire that goes to the battery should be at least 6 gauge. My wire is 10 gauge which is stock, is this a big deal or do I have to run a 6 gauge wire? If so how hard is this to change over, does the wire run back directly to the battery's positive terminal? It goes into the harness and I loose sight of it from there. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
It is MUCH EASIER to just run an additional wire in paralell to the one in the harness. That way you get the additional current capacity and make it easy to return to the original if you ever wanted to do so. You can run a 6 ga wire, or a second 10 ga would likely carry more than enough current.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Arizona
Not exactly sure on the '77. '71 the Alt wire runs to the bus bar on the horn relay. I found that this site www.madelectrical.com has some great articles in the tech tip section. If you call them Mark has great advice and will tell you what you need. Hope this helps!
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Newburgh IN
i just finished up grading my 77 for the tpi install.red alt wire goes to the fuse block and to the starter bat. terminal fhrough a fusable link. you can run #8 from alt to starter bat. termanil,you should protect with fuseable link. you can leave origanl wire in place. 
