Author Topic: Alternator cables  (Read 5417 times)

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Offline chrisfranklin

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Alternator cables
« on: May 30, 2011, 05:26:08 AM »
Bought one of these Load Boss alternators since a few more power draws are probably in the immediate future -- namely e-fan, some better head-lights (Cibies or IPFs), maybe an amp and another set of speakers...:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-98-JEEP-CHEROKEE-WRANGLER-HI-OUTPUT-ALTERNATOR-220-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19b99694ddQQitemZ110487835869QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1392wt_1165

What about wiring though -- anybody using 4 gauge alternator power cable?
« Last Edit: May 30, 2011, 05:30:03 AM by chrisfranklin »
'94 YJ S 5spd, Borla Exhaust, CarSound Cat., PS Ceramic-coated Headers, Airraid intake, 62mm TB, Intake Manifold bored/ceramic-coated, 19lb injectors, Sharp's Adj. FPR, MeanGreen Starter, D30 Aussie locker, 31" Destination MTs, Warn XD9000, Cibie headlights, armor

Offline sharpxmen

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2011, 08:05:09 AM »
Bought one of these Load Boss alternators since a few more power draws are probably in the immediate future -- namely e-fan, some better head-lights (Cibies or IPFs), maybe an amp and another set of speakers...:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-98-JEEP-CHEROKEE-WRANGLER-HI-OUTPUT-ALTERNATOR-220-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19b99694ddQQitemZ110487835869QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1392wt_1165

What about wiring though -- anybody using 4 gauge alternator power cable?

you'll most likely need a cable from the alternator straight to the battery, stock wiring is only good for up to 100 amps (2 x 50amp fuses into the PDC)
'95 YJ, NSG370 6spd / Hurst shifter, Dana 300 + 4:1 Doubler / tri-stick, Custom skid, Super D35 / Auburn LSD / 4.88, 35x12.5x15 BFG KM2, 64mm t/b, 1.7 RollerRockers, MkVIII e-fan, Dual Diaph Booster
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Offline chrisfranklin

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2011, 11:19:31 AM »
Ordered the Load Boss 4 gauge power cable they advertised.  Thanks for the clarification, Sharp.  :beers:
'94 YJ S 5spd, Borla Exhaust, CarSound Cat., PS Ceramic-coated Headers, Airraid intake, 62mm TB, Intake Manifold bored/ceramic-coated, 19lb injectors, Sharp's Adj. FPR, MeanGreen Starter, D30 Aussie locker, 31" Destination MTs, Warn XD9000, Cibie headlights, armor

Offline grumpygy

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2011, 11:30:22 AM »
Had not thought about this, just put on a 160 Amp.  Getting ready for the  electric fan.  just have to pick up ends cause I have plenty of cable on hand.
94 YJ, Cool Air intake, 19lb Inj, 4.0 Throttlebody with spacer,  31/10.50/15's

Offline jfrabat

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2011, 11:47:26 AM »
I have their 164A (or so; dont remember exactly the amperage), and used their cable from the alternator directly to the battery IN ADDITION to the stock cable.  I have abused it frequently (taking it for mud baths, submerging it in water, and using all the electrical gizmos like Ford/Linconln eFan, 4 Aux lights, GPS, CB, 2m radio, charging phone, stereo, and enything else I can think of, and so far, so good.  Not a single issue have I had with this alternator in over 3 years that's been in the Jeep...
'94 YJ 2.5L with 4" RE lift, Superwinch EPi9.0, FoMoCo e-Fan, SD30 and SD35 w/ARB-5.13, 165A alt., 33" BFG KM2 on 15" AR wheels, Sony sound system, Pavement Ends Hardtop, Hydroboost

Offline Jeffy

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2011, 11:58:49 AM »
Ordered the Load Boss 4 gauge power cable they advertised.  Thanks for the clarification, Sharp.  :beers:
That wiring will take up to a max of 135a if it's really 4 gauge.  You would probably want to put a fuse or CB on that line though.
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Offline chrisfranklin

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2011, 12:14:46 PM »
That wiring will take up to a max of 135a if it's really 4 gauge.  You would probably want to put a fuse or CB on that line though.

Is it better in the long run to do the 2 gauge they are selling? 
'94 YJ S 5spd, Borla Exhaust, CarSound Cat., PS Ceramic-coated Headers, Airraid intake, 62mm TB, Intake Manifold bored/ceramic-coated, 19lb injectors, Sharp's Adj. FPR, MeanGreen Starter, D30 Aussie locker, 31" Destination MTs, Warn XD9000, Cibie headlights, armor

Offline Jeffy

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2011, 12:17:16 PM »
Is it better in the long run to do the 2 gauge they are selling?  
Not unless you're planning on bypassing the PD box.  2 gauge is rated for 185A.  Also, you run into the problem of getting the cable to  to connect to the alternators small terminals.  I'd just run the 4 gauge so you have a 235A limit.
« Last Edit: May 30, 2011, 12:18:19 PM by Jeffy »
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Offline chrisfranklin

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2011, 12:31:01 PM »
Not unless you're planning on bypassing the PD box.  2 gauge is rated for 185A.  Also, you run into the problem of getting the cable to  to connect to the alternators small terminals.  I'd just run the 4 gauge so you have a 235A limit.

OK, thanks Jeffy.   :beers:
'94 YJ S 5spd, Borla Exhaust, CarSound Cat., PS Ceramic-coated Headers, Airraid intake, 62mm TB, Intake Manifold bored/ceramic-coated, 19lb injectors, Sharp's Adj. FPR, MeanGreen Starter, D30 Aussie locker, 31" Destination MTs, Warn XD9000, Cibie headlights, armor

Offline jfrabat

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2011, 12:47:28 PM »
That wiring will take up to a max of 135a if it's really 4 gauge.  You would probably want to put a fuse or CB on that line though.

But if you run it in addition to the stocker, you should have at least 185A, and I doubt he'll use much more than that...
'94 YJ 2.5L with 4" RE lift, Superwinch EPi9.0, FoMoCo e-Fan, SD30 and SD35 w/ARB-5.13, 165A alt., 33" BFG KM2 on 15" AR wheels, Sony sound system, Pavement Ends Hardtop, Hydroboost

Offline Jeffy

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2011, 01:16:23 PM »
But if you run it in addition to the stocker, you should have at least 185A, and I doubt he'll use much more than that...
Gotta catch up...  read the other post afterwards.
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Offline chrisfranklin

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #11 on: June 17, 2011, 01:01:12 AM »
Got the Load Boss alternator.  Decal on it says 220amps.  Whatever I have on there now is oem and is either the original or perhaps a replacement I installed about a decade ago (not for sure on this). 
'94 YJ S 5spd, Borla Exhaust, CarSound Cat., PS Ceramic-coated Headers, Airraid intake, 62mm TB, Intake Manifold bored/ceramic-coated, 19lb injectors, Sharp's Adj. FPR, MeanGreen Starter, D30 Aussie locker, 31" Destination MTs, Warn XD9000, Cibie headlights, armor

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #12 on: June 20, 2011, 09:01:46 AM »
I run a universal starter cable from NAPA on my 160amp alt to battery. I also have a 220amp alt on my Jimmy with the same starter cable. I am not sure what the gauge is but it is thick.

Offline Jeffy

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #13 on: June 20, 2011, 09:09:18 AM »
I run a universal starter cable from NAPA on my 160amp alt to battery. I also have a 220amp alt on my Jimmy with the same starter cable. I am not sure what the gauge is but it is thick.
Most common are 2# and 4# but I suspect it's 2#. 2# is good for 181A.
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Offline chrisfranklin

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Re: Alternator cables
« Reply #14 on: July 16, 2011, 01:11:10 AM »
I have their 164A (or so; dont remember exactly the amperage), and used their cable from the alternator directly to the battery IN ADDITION to the stock cable.  I have abused it frequently (taking it for mud baths, submerging it in water, and using all the electrical gizmos like Ford/Linconln eFan, 4 Aux lights, GPS, CB, 2m radio, charging phone, stereo, and enything else I can think of, and so far, so good.  Not a single issue have I had with this alternator in over 3 years that's been in the Jeep...

Felipe, so you are saying you have 2 cables mounted to the insulated bracket on the alternator -- 1 that is the original going directly to the fuse box and out of that to the battery and 1 (say 4 gauge) that runs straight to the battery and has a fuse  added?   

If that's working, that's probably the way I'd go.  Don't have the greatest logistics setup for messing with wiring through the PD box (finding myself doing all this on the street, at night, with my place and extra tools miles away)   

What sized fuse do you have on the wire running from your 164 alternator to the battery? 
'94 YJ S 5spd, Borla Exhaust, CarSound Cat., PS Ceramic-coated Headers, Airraid intake, 62mm TB, Intake Manifold bored/ceramic-coated, 19lb injectors, Sharp's Adj. FPR, MeanGreen Starter, D30 Aussie locker, 31" Destination MTs, Warn XD9000, Cibie headlights, armor