Alternator Question
 

I have one of those direct replacement 130A alternators and have a question, I checked the volts going out of the alternator and it reads 14.59 volts and then I took a reading off the battery and it shows 13.80 volts and stays there. Should I run a wire from the stud of the alternator to the hot side of the battery or is this normal. Thanks

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[This message has been edited by pete1 (edited 07-12-2001).]

Yes you should run a #4 wire as the stock #10 gauge wire is not big enough. Check out this website, it has some info on it.
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...e/index2.shtml

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93GT, S-trim (2.95 pulley), SFMU, Stage 2 TFS TW heads, Stage 2 Cobra intake, AFM powerpipe, PRO-M 75mm massair, 75mm throttle body, 42lb.inj. 1 5/8 headers, 2 1/2 h-pipe and exhaust, 2 chamber Flowmasters, 3.55 gears, Ultradyne cam, Elder.timing gears, Black Magic fan, 3 row alum.rad. MSD6al/BTM, MSD coil, MSD shift light, subframe connectors, A-pillar gauges, Pro-5.0 shifter.

The stock wiring you are using isn't suffecient for the amps that your alternator puts out. Hence you have a voltage drop across the wire. This is why you measure signifigantly more voltage at the alternator then the battery. Of course there will be a difference in readings, but it will be reduced by moving to the before-mentioned #4 AWG.

The 4 gauge wire will be a lot safer as well, especially on a 130 amp alternator. I bet that 10 gauge was getting a bit on the warm side as your revs went up.

The 4 gauge wire will be a lot safer as well, especially on a 130 amp alternator. I bet that 10 gauge was getting a bit on the warm side as your revs went up.

Agreed.