| Author |
Message |
    
Wolverine
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 4:33 am: | 
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Since joining the copper forum, I understand the concepts of proper grounding, low swr, reflected watts, etc. What I don't understand is why do some CBer's change the alternator charge wire to a larger guage wire?. I have an swr of 1.2 with my 4 pill amp on. Will I gain any more power/juice, if I change my charge wire on my 115 amp alternator to a larger guage, or is this just a "Feel Good Mod"?? Also, what's your opinion of the Magna Force 400 mobile amp (4 sc2290's with fan)?? Thanks in advance. |
Wolverine
| | Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 3:36 am: |
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Feel free to chime in with you opinions at any time techs/moderators. Will it work to change my charge wire or not??. And, how do you guys rate the magna force 400? |
Tech808
| | Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 10:05 am: |
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Wolverine,
I will leave this question for Tech671, as he has the experience/knowledge with them.
As for rating it, Sorry again, as I have never owned one or known anyone who has.
Sorry I could not be of more help.
Lon
Tech808 |
Wolverine
| | Posted on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 2:07 am: |
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Thanks, I'll be awaiting for the answer. |
Allagator
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 10:32 pm: |
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Hey Wolverine changing your wire size will make easier for your alt to charge the battery !
so it kinda like useing a 24 gauge wire to run a 20,000 candle watt light or useing a 1 gauge wire to run the same light !!! witch one would you want ???? the wire that looses power along the line on have the one that dont loose nothing to the light ????
I hope this helps !!!
I use a 0/1 wire to go the trunk in the camero !!!!
Allagator |
Wolverine
| | Posted on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 5:03 am: |
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Okay Allagator, I understand the concept. My 115 amp alternator looks like it has a 8 or 10 guage wire, charge wire that is. so, if I decide to go with a 8 pill amp in the future, changing the charge wire to 4 guage. 2/0, or 1/0, I won't be stranded on the side of the road with a discharged battery because of excessive ratchet-jawing!. Thanks for the insight, it helps a lot! |
Allagator
| | Posted on Friday, July 04, 2003 - 12:33 am: |
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Hey Wolverine !! I didnt tell you i use 4 batt's with 2 alts witch i have never had no problems yet ( other than some flat tires ) !!!!!!
if your going use that box hard i would put a extra batt on the other side and use a isolotor box to hook them up so they dont fight each other !!! and yea i cant spell !!!! lol !! but you can get them at Autozone for 20-40 bucks and trust me they work !!!!
hope this helps ya !!!!!!!!
Allagator |
Wolverine
| | Posted on Friday, July 04, 2003 - 2:20 am: |
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Thanks Allagator for the info. You seem to have a nice and tight set-up. Right now, I'm kind of on a mission. Check out my post - Midland radios(Honorable mention) in the general tech questions thread. You'll know what I mean. Thanks again!
Wolverine |
Sparkomatic
| | Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2003 - 7:56 pm: |
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Wolverine.....I run a Xforce XT-400 in my Pickup with a 200 amp alternator with a #6 wire from the alternator to the batteries and that is overkill. If you have a 115 Amp alternator then a #10 wire is enough and a #8 is a little overboard.
I was under the impression that the amperage rating is what the alternator will charge over a certain period of time.
Yes going large is a "Feel Good" thing but it certainly can't hurt. |
Bigbob
| | Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2003 - 9:46 pm: |
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The rating is "right now" charge rate continuous it will do more but will eat itself in short order,oh by the way 1000 engine rpm and above,at idle it's about 60% of max unless you idle at 1000.It's better to have the wire to your rig from battery a little larger than the cable from alt. to battery,so as not to shock the diode cluster with a heavy load,it gives the alt. time to catch up.But always have a cable of proper rating for system or you'll smoke it. |
Tech671
| | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2003 - 6:25 am: |
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Hmm, guess that 1/0 wire from my alt to batt. should be decreased in size? |
Bigbob
| | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 7:33 pm: |
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Tech671 what is the size of the output stud on back of alt.6.5mm,7.6mm,9.3mm,what gauge is the wire inside of the alt.directly attached to stud that should give you some indication of the size of cable nesessary,larger cable can cause heating and cracking of insulator to the point of charring and fireworks.If you're working alt to capacity go larger or install a second unit,a deisel truck alt is a good choice,the ones we have on our work trucks have twelve gauge wire in the stator windings,500 amp rating. |
Crafter
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2003 - 3:08 am: |
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I've always used 10 gauge myself. Just my choice since its all over my garage! LOL. |
Tech671
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 5:58 am: |
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All I can tell you is increasing charge wire size and quality from alt to batt has lessened voltage drop EVERY time I've done the upgrade. |
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