I have an Ignition Technologies wiring harness with my 3800SC swap. The Red wire going to the lug on the alternator that goes to the hot is 10ga. I read where GM used a 10ga wire on later years as stock. With a 110 amp alternator though, that seems like a small gauge for that current. Should I maybe run a 6 or 8 gauge separate from that wire? Thanks
theogre
SEP 21, 01:35 PM
Careful... "Amp rating" for given wire is Gauge/Diameter And Length and other specs. That why most charts say amps per Hundred Feet etc.
vs you have maybe 3 feet max from Alt to + box under C500. Sim for battery cables that often are only 1 to 4 feet each in most vehicles. Is why most OE battery cables are 4ga or similar metric size stranded wire for cars and other light vehicles (Light Vehicles are mostly < ~ 10,000lb GVWR) but bigger vehicle can have same alt out and battery cables.
If you have large power eating things... run them to + box, maybe get a heavier + box or even run off the alt out terminal.
Note that Amp Rating for Alt's is nearly always Peak Power. See my Cave, Watt Story
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
