alternator charge wire... how big???

[RootBreaker]

Ok so my truck has a 63A alt in it... I may upgrade it eventually to a 80A just to do it.. I did at one point get ready to do the 140A pontiac Transport Alt upgrade... still may do it in the future but then need a new isolator....


anyway... what size wire should I be running from the back of the alternator to the isolator? 12 gauge? I have a 2 gauge I could use but too big will not be a good thing.....


also I need to run another wire from under the hood back to the bed... right behind the cab... same size? or a bit bigger due to about 10' length?

please lemme know as i am getting ready to goto the parts store......

 

[ryoken]

bigger IS always better, well, alot of the time.....

other than bulkiness, size constraints... minimum wire gauge is a function of amps drawn over distance...

For a stockish replatement, I'd run 10, even 8 if I was gonna be working the alternator hard... Personally, I'm running 4...

For a rear feed, I'd up that a couple to an 8 or 6...

check the chart at the bottom of this page..

http://www.rbeelectronics.com/wtable.htm

 

[ryoken]

Here's a better chart on recommended charge wire sizes...

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

 

[runamok151]

aren't you done with all those fancy switches yet?

 

[RootBreaker]

aren't you done with all those fancy switches yet?

I got 3 in....
didnt ya see that post?
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198369

anyway...
I bought a roll of 10gauge wire today... and terminal ends.. gonna do some each night this week.. hopefully I can get the wiring done by friday so I can start on the spring bracket push back.....