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VisPacem
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2007
Posts: 1143
Location: Las Vegas
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 Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:17 am Post subject: Wiring |
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Hello
I am installing a 135 amps alternator on my (Subaru 2.2 powered) Vanagon to replace the puny 70 amps OEM.
The expert (?) says --add-- a 4ga wire from the alternator to the battery (and a 100 amps fuse).
My question being why bother with 20ft + of wiring when I could get away with only adding said 4ga wire from the alternator to the starter (and a 100 amps fuse, also by the alternator).
Well, please keep me current ( I know it's weak but I had a hard day 
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LG aka VisPacemPB, *The* party Pooper
No Regrets (Nothing to do with Vanagons) |
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wasserbox
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2008
Posts: 533
Location: Durango, CO
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:54 am Post subject: Re: Wiring |
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| VisPacem wrote: |
Hello
I am installing a 135 amps alternator on my (Subaru 2.2 powered) Vanagon to replace the puny 70 amps OEM.
The expert (?) says --add-- a 4ga wire from the alternator to the battery (and a 100 amps fuse).
My question being why bother with 20ft + of wiring when I could get away with only adding said 4ga wire from the alternator to the starter (and a 100 amps fuse, also by the alternator).
Well, please keep me current ( I know it's weak but I had a hard day |
Why would you spend the money to upgrade the alternator if you aren't going to upgrade any of the circuits that will actually use and distribute the power? |
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VisPacem
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2007
Posts: 1143
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:01 am Post subject: Re: Wiring |
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| wasserbox wrote: |
| VisPacem wrote: |
Hello
I am installing a 135 amps alternator on my (Subaru 2.2 powered) Vanagon to replace the puny 70 amps OEM.
The expert (?) says --add-- a 4ga wire from the alternator to the battery (and a 100 amps fuse).
My question being why bother with 20ft + of wiring when I could get away with only adding said 4ga wire from the alternator to the starter (and a 100 amps fuse, also by the alternator).
Well, please keep me current ( I know it's weak but I had a hard day |
Why would you spend the money to upgrade the alternator if you aren't going to upgrade any of the circuits that will actually use and distribute the power? |
I guess you did not understand part or all of my question which was not --WHY-
But I do appreciate your question in response to my question, very useful.
Thanks
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LG aka VisPacemPB, *The* party Pooper
No Regrets (Nothing to do with Vanagons) |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6243
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:14 am Post subject: |
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The original wiring from the alternator to the starter did not contain a fuse so I don't understand why you would want to add one to another wire. The wire from the starter to the battery is already capable of carrying the increased current.
What size is the installed wire to the starter?
An 8ga wire can safely handle 80 amps and a 6 ga wire 120 amps. You could just add a second parallel wire to the starter along with the original and have enough capacity for the increased alternator size. No need to go bigger when you have parallel conductors. The original is probably close to 8 ga so a second 6 or 8 ga is all you'd need.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto
Last edited by PDXWesty on Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:31 am; edited 2 times in total |
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wasserbox
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2008
Posts: 533
Location: Durango, CO
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Wiring |
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| VisPacem wrote: |
I guess you did not understand part or all of my question which was not --WHY-
But I do appreciate your question in response to my question, very useful.
Thanks |
Your actual question was "Why Bother?"
My answer - because you're spending the money to upgrade the alternator.
Your passive aggression is awesome as well! Glad to be of help. |
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VisPacem
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2007
Posts: 1143
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:30 am Post subject: Re: Wiring |
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| wasserbox wrote: |
| VisPacem wrote: |
I guess you did not understand part or all of my question which was not --WHY-
But I do appreciate your question in response to my question, very useful.
Thanks |
Your actual question was "Why Bother?"
My answer - because you're spending the money to upgrade the alternator.
Your passive aggression is awesome as well! Glad to be of help. |
I guess it's the typical method of taking partial statements and words out of contest to justify one's ineptitude at the simple and direct understanding of a basic English language question.
My question was NOT "why bother" it was I quote:
My question being why bother with 20ft + of wiring
capisce?
I am done with arguing with you, Thanks
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LG aka VisPacemPB, *The* party Pooper
No Regrets (Nothing to do with Vanagons) |
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VisPacem
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2007
Posts: 1143
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:31 am Post subject: |
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| PDXWesty wrote: |
The original wiring from the alternator to the starter did not contain a fuse so I don't understand why you would want to add one to another wire. The wire from the starter to the battery is already capable of carrying the increased current.
What size is the installed wire to the starter?
An 8ga wire can safely handle 80 amps and a 6 ga wire 120 amps. You could just add a second parallel wire to the alternator along with the original and have enough capacity for the increased alternator size. No need to go bigger when you have parallel conductors. The original is probably close to 8 ga so a second 6 or 8 ga is all you'd need.
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Thank you very much
I do appreciate your clear, direct and helpful response.
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LG aka VisPacemPB, *The* party Pooper
No Regrets (Nothing to do with Vanagons) |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6243
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:34 am Post subject: |
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I added a second 8 ga wire from my alternator to my starter and now I see little to no voltage drop at my battery. It's well worth the time.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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VisPacem
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2007
Posts: 1143
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:39 am Post subject: |
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| PDXWesty wrote: |
| I added a second 8 ga wire from my alternator to my starter and now I see little to no voltage drop at my battery. It's well worth the time. |
Thanks 
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LG aka VisPacemPB, *The* party Pooper
No Regrets (Nothing to do with Vanagons) |
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GWTWTLW
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2008
Posts: 2174
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:45 am Post subject: |
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| PDXWesty wrote: |
| I added a second 8 ga wire from my alternator to my starter and now I see little to no voltage drop at my battery. It's well worth the time. |
Does the power to the battery go through the starter?
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89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6243
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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It doesn't go through the starter, but through the main cable from the starter to the battery. The cables from the alternator to the starter tie to the same terminal as the cable from the starter to the battery. That's the stock set-up. The battery cable is sized for starting current and is how it is normally charged. By adding a second wire from the alternator to the starter you increase the load capability and decrease the voltage drop.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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GWTWTLW
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2008
Posts: 2174
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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Makes sense. Thx!
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89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw |
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