Alternator wiring routing and gauge question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

willett · 09-06-2013, 12:13 PM

Hey guys,

I'm in the last steps of having my k20 ready for 4x4'in season. Today's job is to put a shiny new 110A alternator on there (I need it because I have dual batteries, a stereo, and enough lights to illuminate Yankee stadium)

Anyhow, whatever is on there now is a 3 wire setup

The new alt can be 1 or 3 depending in wether or not there is a jumper in place.

My questions:

1. should I bother running 3 wire setup? I have no charging light and do I really need the sensing wire?

2. Will 4 ga wire be sufficient? ( I'm going to run 2/0 from the starting battery to the starter mostly because I have some laying around)

3. Should I run the charge wire from alt down to the starter or just T it and run it to both batteries? ( I will be putting an ignition controlled solenoid between battery 1 and battery 2 but that's for a different day)
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SCOTI · 09-06-2013, 12:43 PM

Wire gauge required depends on the alt output & the length of 'wire' used....

http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/charge_wires.html

willett · 09-06-2013, 04:20 PM

thanks, i had one of those charts somewhere but i couldnt find it. 4 gauge will be ample.
Posted via Mobile Device

09-06-2013, 12:13 PM	#1
willett Another Day, Another Dollar Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,316	Alternator wiring routing and gauge question Hey guys, I'm in the last steps of having my k20 ready for 4x4'in season. Today's job is to put a shiny new 110A alternator on there (I need it because I have dual batteries, a stereo, and enough lights to illuminate Yankee stadium) Anyhow, whatever is on there now is a 3 wire setup The new alt can be 1 or 3 depending in wether or not there is a jumper in place. My questions: 1. should I bother running 3 wire setup? I have no charging light and do I really need the sensing wire? 2. Will 4 ga wire be sufficient? ( I'm going to run 2/0 from the starting battery to the starter mostly because I have some laying around) 3. Should I run the charge wire from alt down to the starter or just T it and run it to both batteries? ( I will be putting an ignition controlled solenoid between battery 1 and battery 2 but that's for a different day) Posted via Mobile Device __________________ -78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square"

09-06-2013, 12:43 PM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,132	Re: Alternator wiring routing and gauge question Wire gauge required depends on the alt output & the length of 'wire' used.... http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/charge_wires.html __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

09-06-2013, 04:20 PM	#3
willett Another Day, Another Dollar Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,316	Re: Alternator wiring routing and gauge question thanks, i had one of those charts somewhere but i couldnt find it. 4 gauge will be ample. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ -78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square"



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