4 Gauge alternator wire hookup
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
4 Gauge alternator wire hookup
I'm upgrading my alternator to a high output 160 amp and I wanted to know if it's alright to connect the 4 gauge alternator wire direct to the battery post instead of the distribution block behind the battery?
The reason I ask, is because the 4 gauge cable lugs are so, large that it would be easier to connect direct to the battery post using the GM side post adapter.
I posted this in the audio section but, it's a little slow there.
Thanks for your help
The reason I ask, is because the 4 gauge cable lugs are so, large that it would be easier to connect direct to the battery post using the GM side post adapter.
I posted this in the audio section but, it's a little slow there.
Thanks for your help
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
There is a wire that comes off the positive battery cable that goes to the jumper post and it was designed for the lower OEM alternator current. It would be a good idea to buy the aftermarket battery terminal bolt that has a threaded extension and connect your #4 wire to that extension so that your alternator doesn't cook the wire from the battery cable to the jumper bolt.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
I just looked at the stock battery cable and it looks like there are actually four wires connected to the side terminal positive battery post.
One 8 gauge wire going to the distribution block, one 4 gauge wire routed behind the engine block across to the passenger side and two separate 10 gauge wires connected to a plastic wire connector.
Does the aftermarket side post adapter slip into the center of the stock battery cable? Do I just pry out the center of the stock cable and replace it with the new adapter post?
One 8 gauge wire going to the distribution block, one 4 gauge wire routed behind the engine block across to the passenger side and two separate 10 gauge wires connected to a plastic wire connector.
Does the aftermarket side post adapter slip into the center of the stock battery cable? Do I just pry out the center of the stock cable and replace it with the new adapter post?
Last edited by GKK; Aug 30, 2006 at 03:35 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Replace the bolt that connects the positive cable to the positive battery terminal with a bolt you buy at a car parts store that has a threaded stud on each end of the bolt. Use the aftermarket bolt to connect your positive battery cable to the battery terminal and then put your #4 alternator wire on the remaining threaded stud on the new bolt and put a nut on the stud to hold your alternator wire on.
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
@ "jfb" I'm looking at one of these "aftermarket terminal bolt extensions" to facilitate adding an audio amplifier. I understand your replies to "GKK", #1&2 below:
1. "It would be a good idea to buy the aftermarket battery terminal bolt."
2. "Replace the bolt that connects the positive cable to the positive battery terminal with a bolt you buy at a car parts store that has a threaded stud on each end of the bolt."
@ "jfb" BUT: you don't answer his question about removing the "center of the stock cable and replacing it with the new post"
3. "GKK" - "Does the aftermarket side post adapter slip into the center of the stock battery cable? Do I just pry out the center of the stock cable and replace it with the new adapter post?"
Do you mean that the old terminal has to be cut off and replaced with a ring terminal in order to use the adapter post? Or is there a way to remove the "bolt" or "center" part of the original terminal?
Thanks for your help.
1. "It would be a good idea to buy the aftermarket battery terminal bolt."
2. "Replace the bolt that connects the positive cable to the positive battery terminal with a bolt you buy at a car parts store that has a threaded stud on each end of the bolt."
@ "jfb" BUT: you don't answer his question about removing the "center of the stock cable and replacing it with the new post"
3. "GKK" - "Does the aftermarket side post adapter slip into the center of the stock battery cable? Do I just pry out the center of the stock cable and replace it with the new adapter post?"
Do you mean that the old terminal has to be cut off and replaced with a ring terminal in order to use the adapter post? Or is there a way to remove the "bolt" or "center" part of the original terminal?
Thanks for your help.
