If replacing alternator, which amperage?

[Sparky Anderson]

You won't 'cook' your wires with a higher amp alternator, it will still only put out what is required. Just like if you had a 60 amp home service breaker box in your house and upgraded it to a 200 amp box, your wires wouldn't get any warmer.

The only problem is if you have a short in the system, your car will light up like a Roman candle. There's a reason why if you go to a higher amp alternator, you should increase the cable size to match that. Take it from an electrician.

 

[Photon440]

The only problem is if you have a short in the system, your car will light up like a Roman candle. There's a reason why if you go to a higher amp alternator, you should increase the cable size to match that. Take it from an electrician.

It's not a bad idea to increase the size of the alternator charging wire, sure. But if that shorts out, it will still likely burn. Most other wires; lighting, blower fan, wipers etc. draw from the battery and are already exposed to high amperage. That's what the fuse box is there for, in case of a short.

 

[Don Frelier]

The only problem is if you have a short in the system, your car will light up like a Roman candle. There's a reason why if you go to a higher amp alternator, you should increase the cable size to match that. Take it from an electrician.

Agreed on the wire size a large in line fuse from the alternator would be a good addition.
The bulkhead connectors remain the weak link unless you make modifications to elimate them.
The factory ammeter might be questionable as well. (not good to pin it full scale)
Take it from an electrical engineer.

 

[RJRENTON]

Calm down Bob, nowhere in his post was a contest mentioned, challenged or hinted at. He asked a question, you hit 'reply' and chose to prevaricate.

I'm challenging poster # 15 & #35 to a thinking contest, as this guy is always running off about how the charging system works as he doesn't have a clue about anything electrical and refuses to show his derived calculations to support his premise......the reason he doesn't know how to do the calcs. It's a shame that people believe the diatribe he presents. His reasonong is all surmised and guesstimates and hearsay......maybe you care, maybe not! but if a real subject in real time, why not present factual information???.....
BOB RENTON

 

[koosh]

It's not a bad idea to increase the size of the alternator charging wire, sure. But if that shorts out, it will still likely burn. Most other wires; lighting, blower fan, wipers etc. draw from the battery and are already exposed to high amperage. That's what the fuse box is there for, in case of a short.

Which wire am i changing?

 

[moparsaver]

I'm challenging poster # 15 & #35 to a thinking contest, as this guy is always running off about how the charging system works as he doesn't have a clue about anything electrical and refuses to show his derived calculations to support his prenise......the reason he doesn't know how to do the calcs. It's a shame that people believe the diatribe he presents. His reasonong is all surmised and guesstimates and hearsay......maybe you care, maybe not! but if a real subject in real time, why not present factual information???.....
BOB RENTON

Feel free to read the rules Renton. Your dislike for Nacho is well documented, how about you keep it to yourself.

 

[moparx]

last year, i installed a 68 amp alternator from a K-car, along with a solid state 70up style voltage regulator on my charger.
works great ! charges at a steady 14.2v at the battery, having the alternator feed wire attached at the hot stud on the starter relay. 6ga.[?] wire with a fuseable link. wire and link came from the K-car.

 

[koosh]

last year, i installed a 68 amp alternator from a K-car, along with a solid state 70up style voltage regulator on my charger.
works great ! charges at a steady 14.2v at the battery, having the alternator feed wire attached at the hot stud on the starter relay. 6ga.[?] wire with a fuseable link. wire and link came from the K-car.

Thanks!

 

[coloradodave]

Bob,
If you insist on commenting and deriding information presented by certain members with an opinion that it doesn't meet your *imaginary standards, I feel that it's only fair that we unleash the keeper of the correct use of punctuation, capitalization and spelling of the English Language for the enjoyment and enlightenment of all... are you listening Kern Dog? Btw, I've been reading Nacho's answers for years and feel most of his solutions to members' problems are very helpful. No need to show your arrogance.
* This is the internet. Take everything with a grain of salt...

 

[Nacho-RT74]

last year, i installed a 68 amp alternator from a K-car, along with a solid state 70up style voltage regulator on my charger.
works great ! charges at a steady 14.2v at the battery, having the alternator feed wire attached at the hot stud on the starter relay. 6ga.[?] wire with a fuseable link. wire and link came from the K-car.

If you still have the ammeter connected, that is not a good idea. Read some of the stickied threads about how the stock system must be wired correctly being still safe. If some other mods were made that could be a diff story. Good on the alt thought.

 

[koosh]

If you still have the ammeter connected, that is not a good idea. Read some of the stickied threads about how the stock system must be wired correctly being still safe. If some other mods were made that could be a diff story. Good on the alt thought.

Disconnected the stock ammeter months ago!
Thanks

 

[moparx]

If you still have the ammeter connected, that is not a good idea. Read some of the stickied threads about how the stock system must be wired correctly being still safe. If some other mods were made that could be a diff story. Good on the alt thought.

ampmeter still connected, and doesn't show much movement now. [i installed a volt gauge and it reads the same as the digital volt meter at the battery.]
i stuck my hand up there, [the back of the amp gauge] and with the car running, the harness has no heat issues i could feel.
what other recommendations do you suggest ?