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rshannon
Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 62
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 Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:44 am Post subject: alternator wire gauge |
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I believe Pete K. and others have commented that the 3300 alternator has been known to put out as much as 25-28A if the battery is low enough and the RPM is high enough. This led to the well known recommendation to dispense with the Faston quick-tab connections at the regulator end and presumably, at the end of the alternator's own "pigtail" as well, in favor of soldered "hard" connections for better current carrying capability, etc.
However, the wire coming out of the alternator looks like it's only 12 AWG, which is normally not rated for more than 20A. I realize that 12AWG will carry more than 20A for some indeterminate amount of time, at the cost/risk of substantial heat generation, but it gets hot enough for long enough, it's not going to last. (Not sure what gauge the two blue wires at the regulator are.)
Because of the potential for 25-28A loads, I would normally choose to use 10 AWG between the alternator pigtail and the regulator/ANL current limiter, but there doesn't seem much point if the alternator pigtail is 12 AWG and already constitutes the weak link (unintended fusible link) in the circuit already. So the question is, what gauge is best and/or adequate between the alternator pigtail and the regulator/ANL? The length of this additional wire in my system will be roughly 24".
Ron
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imap8ntr(at)cox.net
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:18 pm Post subject: alternator wire gauge |
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Ron,
What do you mean "this led to the well known recommendation" for soldered hard connections? Who made the recommendation? Was it from Pete K?
I have had the connections soldered and have not had any problems since.
Ivan
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rshannon
Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 62
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject: alternator wire gauge |
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By "well known recommendation" I merely meant that, as I wrote, it has been frequently discussed on this and the Yahoo list that the existing Fast-on quick tab Molex-style connector will often get too hot & fry, so a hard wired connection is much preferred. And yes, as I already wrote, Pete has recommended and stated a strong preference for hard connections/splices several times, as have others.
Ron
On Fri, Apr 18, 2008 at 5:15 PM, Ivan <imap8ntr(at)cox.net (imap8ntr(at)cox.net)> wrote:
[quote] Ron,
What do you mean "this led to the well known recommendation" for soldered hard connections? Who made the recommendation? Was it from Pete K?
I have had the connections soldered and have not had any problems since.
Ivan
[b]
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imap8ntr(at)cox.net
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject: alternator wire gauge |
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Ron
Thanks for the info. I wish I knew about this a few months ago because it would have saved a few fried wires. The soldered connections made everything work just great.
Ivan
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DaveG601XL
Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 351
Location: Cincinnati, Oh
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| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:55 am Post subject: Re: alternator wire gauge |
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Ron,
Per the the AC43.13-1B conductor sizing chart, 12 ga wire is good for the following current ratings on a 14V system: Up to 5 feet = 50 amps, up to 8 feet = 30 amps and up to 11.5 feet = 20 amps. If in a big bundle, de-rate to the chart a few pages further back in the book.
I cannot comment on your fast-on tab question, but 12 ga wire size should be just fine. It is what I am using, but I have not gone past a few low speed grounds runs yet myself.
Good luck,
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David Gallagher
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