Aftermarket Charging System
Aftermarket Charging System
(OP)
Can anyone please help with me with some electrical informatino regarding one of my "toys".
I'm doing the common second generation alternator to third generation alternator conversion that many people do on pre 1994 ford mustangs. I've got the new 130 amp alternator, along with the required connections. I'm also planning on moving the battery to the rear of the car as well as including a battery cut-off switch and new ground wires.
I'm just curious as to if these cables are of the correct gage and if any other things should be taken into consideration or modified while I am doing the enitre charging system.
A 4 Ga. cable with 200 amp in line fuse will be run from the new alternator to the starter solenoid, from there, a 1 Ga. welding cable will be run to the rear of the hatch to the battery box. From the battery a 1 Ga. Cable will ground the battery on the frame. The engine ground wires will be replaced with 4 Ga. wires.
Should the battery cut-off switch go in the battery ground cable, between the battery and the frame? Should I instead run a 1 ga. cable from the battery negative post up to the front of the car and ground it on the engine? Considering the battery is grounded on the engine stock. I plan on upgrading the starter eventually, would it be a wise idea to do it now, or just wait untill it is needed.
Thanks for any help regarding this as I am a newbie with electronics whether it be with cars or elsewhere.
I'm doing the common second generation alternator to third generation alternator conversion that many people do on pre 1994 ford mustangs. I've got the new 130 amp alternator, along with the required connections. I'm also planning on moving the battery to the rear of the car as well as including a battery cut-off switch and new ground wires.
I'm just curious as to if these cables are of the correct gage and if any other things should be taken into consideration or modified while I am doing the enitre charging system.
A 4 Ga. cable with 200 amp in line fuse will be run from the new alternator to the starter solenoid, from there, a 1 Ga. welding cable will be run to the rear of the hatch to the battery box. From the battery a 1 Ga. Cable will ground the battery on the frame. The engine ground wires will be replaced with 4 Ga. wires.
Should the battery cut-off switch go in the battery ground cable, between the battery and the frame? Should I instead run a 1 ga. cable from the battery negative post up to the front of the car and ground it on the engine? Considering the battery is grounded on the engine stock. I plan on upgrading the starter eventually, would it be a wise idea to do it now, or just wait untill it is needed.
Thanks for any help regarding this as I am a newbie with electronics whether it be with cars or elsewhere.
Anthony Deramo
American Bridge Company





RE: Aftermarket Charging System
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/keywordsearch.asp
Obviously this is only one example. Similar exist from other sources...All seem to be in the >$50 range. I use the Moroso 74102 on my race cars and it has worked out ok over the years.
htt
Rod
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
Anthony Deramo
American Bridge Company
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
Another thing, a slight bit off topic, is that I have HID lights and they run a direct power source off of the battery. How would I go about modifying this to ensure it works proprely. Would I
1) Replace the short power cable in the HID harness with a longer cable, of larger gage, and run it to the rear of the car to the battery, or
2) Add a larger gage, long extension to the HID power cable without having to modify the HID power cable. The HID power cable has an inline fuse right before the positive battery terminal connection.
Anthony Deramo
American Bridge Company
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
I don't know anything about the HID lights.
Rod
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
Eventually it's getting a cage, so I suppose I'll run without a batt cut off until then.
Anthony Deramo
American Bridge Company
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
Run the earth strap to the chassis near the battery. bolt it to a reasonably thick piece of steel that will handle cranking amps around the bolt.
Regards
Pat
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RE: Aftermarket Charging System
I may run the hot wire to the solenoid. But,unfortunately, the HID light kit was designed specifically for a fox body mustang, so the hot wire is only long enough to reach from the drivers side headlight to the battery which was located directly behind the drivers side headlight. The starter solenoid is on the passenger side, however. I still need to lengthen this wire somehow.
Anthony Deramo
American Bridge Company
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
What does work is to use a braided ground strap of adequate size for the amp load and fasten it through the braid at numerous points along the frame. When you get close to the ECU you can solder a ground wire or smaller piece of braided strap into the main piece and run it directly to the ECU grounding point.
Yearning to learn.
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
One, I try to make the connection as close to the batt as possible/convenient...
Two, ground straps of substantially larger material than is normally required.
Three, I use a large stud, typiclly 3/8" to 1/2" welded to the cage (which is welded to the chassis) and take a "wrap" of heavy lead solder around the base of the stud under the ground strap, washer, nut, etc.
I make the same ground connections from engine to chassis and from my MSD to chassis.
It may be a bit of 'overkill', but...What can I say? I just do not have problems relating to improperly grounded circuits.
Rod
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
I was advised to run a ground from the new alternator housing to the frame, what are your thoughts on this.
Anthony Deramo
American Bridge Company
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
All I know for sure is what has worked for me. I have not ran a ground specifically from the alternator to the frame, but I do have a #8 wire ground from the engine to the frame to assure a good ground for the charging system and electronics on the EFI engine.
So far this has worked for me for the last 6+ years.
A wire from the alternator to the frame may not help any more, but it sure won't hurt.
I will be making some major changes to the car soon and I will be adding a 200A alternator to help run the electric water pump, fuel pumps, cooling fan, and upgraded ignition system. We'll see how that works out and if I have time I will log and photograph the procedure and changes.
Yearning to learn.
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
I would only have to splice an extra one foot of wire on in order to make it reach the alternator. Since the positive cables of the battery essentially run to the starter solenoid and to the alternator... couldn't I run the HID hot wire off of the back of the alternator?
Thanks again for any and all help with my project.
Anthony Deramo
American Bridge Company
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
Yearning to learn.
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm
for site rules
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
Oh well, thanks alot anyway for all the help.
Anthony Deramo
American Bridge Company
RE: Aftermarket Charging System
Yearning to learn.