I just bought a new alternator that will be approximately 180-200 Amps. Will I need to upgrade my alt cable with the new higher amp alt? If so, how much bigger should I go?
Thanks
here you go third chart down http://www.rbeelectronics.com/wtable.htm
The factory runs it from the alternator to the starter then on to the battery.(on Lumnas at least I would guess a TGP is the same) I would just add a cable from the alternator to the stud next to the battery. I have actually found some issues with the lenght of wire GM used on some of these cars and added a cable run like I said just to help the charging system keep the battery up.
Tim
Hey Tim that link isn't working
sure ain't today. It was a chart for a 12 volt circuit. You take the amps measure the run of the wire in feet and it tells you the gauge of wire to run. Use a 6 gauge wire for up to 7 feet or use a 4 gauge wire from 7 to 12 feet. I ran a few chevys right from the alternator along the backside of the engine to the master cylinder area and down to the battery stud next to the battery. I guess the turbo may make you run it more toward the firewall and down the inner fender. Napa had the cable I needed with the right ends on it to fit both the alternator and stud.
Tim
Awesome. Thanks man!
My 4 door TSTE also needs a new alternator, I was looking at the 200 amp alternator as well. Have you installed yours yet and have you noticed any major differences between the stock and the upgraded one? I was looking at the ones they offer on Ebay, but they look rather cheap, where did you order your high output alternator at? I'm just deciding if it's worth it to spend the extra $100 on the 200 amp one.
I installed mine well over a year ago. It works great, and all my electronics work fine. I don't have non-factory electronics in my car like a sound system though. Definitely an improvement from the dying stock alt though.
I had my stock alt redone at a local starter and alternator shop, they charged me $55 to put 200 amp internals in the stock alt. Well worth the money.
My 6000 (still a 3.1) The headlights flicker as my idle fluctuates and hitting the brakes or blineker really dims it, the volt gauges goes down from 14 to 12.5 when yo step on the brakes. Would adding or replacing that alt cable possibly be my issue? The battery stays nice and charged and is fairly new. Oddly enough my TGP does this too, but not quite as extreme
I added a second charge wire (4 GA IIRC) from the alt to the battery on my 91 GP and noticed less of a voltage drop when all of my accessories are on- lights, stereo, vents, step on the brakes, etc.. and my turnsignals function better, as well as the voltage staying higher on my voltage gauge.