New alternator installed

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Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=12493
Printed Date: May 14, 2024 at 9:18 AM

Topic: New alternator installed

Posted By: J B M
Subject: New alternator installed
Date Posted: April 21, 2003 at 6:46 AM

Well I just installed my new alternator and it works fine...but now before I add any amps, I have to upgrade the wiring...but that's where my problem lies... someone told me that thering terminal on the power wire cannot touch any part of the alternator case but that little post that says battery...they said that because the alternator case is grounded to the chassis this would be a bad thing if the bare ring terminal were to rub against the alt case...it sounds logical to me...is it true...I'd like to save myself from a major mistake before I change the wiring.

Also...on a 4runner there is the regular ground wire to chassis and a little 10 ga wire that goes frm the battery - post to the sheet metal which is like 2 inches away...do I need to upgrade that also...?

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Team Atomic
Team Powerbass
Team Pure Pressure
Team Excessive Amperage

Replies:

Posted By: KBToys
Date Posted: April 21, 2003 at 7:01 AM

I have that same wire too. I don't really see the point of even having that wire. I would not even bother changing it.

Posted By: markwilliams
Date Posted: April 21, 2003 at 7:03 AM

Should be fine i never changed it on my truck it works perfectly

Posted By: J B M
Date Posted: April 21, 2003 at 2:14 PM

Do either of you have 4runners...? I'm asking because I can only see the one ground wire from the battery negative terminal to the chassis (and of course that little wire), and the positive to the alternator....but I keep hearing people say to change the big 3. What's the 3rd wire people refer to when saying replace the big 3...?

-------------
Team Atomic
Team Powerbass
Team Pure Pressure
Team Excessive Amperage

Posted By: Wantofok
Date Posted: April 22, 2003 at 2:35 AM

1) Battery + to Alternator +
2) Battery - to chassis
3) Engine block to chassis

Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: April 22, 2003 at 4:58 PM

I would upgrade all of those grounds...4ga would be nice...that 10ga has to go though...

you should upgrade even that 2" piece...better safe than sorry...

Posted By: aaronluvsbazz
Date Posted: April 23, 2003 at 9:59 PM

Your 2 inch piece of wire is meant to handle the amount of current generated by the factory electrical system--if you add a very big amplifier (uses ~60A or more) it would probably be a good idea to upgrade. You can never have too good of a ground.