I haven't changed any original wiring in my car other then putting in 24k nuts of the terminals and adding in my 4g power wire. I'm 99% sure my factory ground wire is 4 gauge and seems heavy enough. Any point in changing that? Or the alt to batt wire? Or batt to starter? Other then the fact it might look cool. My amps don't draw that much. I was running the whole system for the longest time off of a 60 amp fuse. Anyone ever tried this before?

If you can run the system through a 60a fuse and the under hood wiring is decent thickness and there are clean connections (no corrosion) than I wouldn't bother. I can't see you having any dimming problems with such small power but if you do check power and ground connections.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I have a question also. In my Jeep (Yj), I ran a 4 AWG wire, from the ground on the battery to the firewall, in addition to the smaller factory one. I looked at the alternator, there is a small red (power) wire going to it, maybe 10/12 AWG. When I traced it back from the alternator, it was not obvious where it went to, before reaching the battery. If I ran a second 4 AWG wire off the battery, directly to the alternator, would that be cool? What about the wire to the starter, is that hugely important, also? Thanks..... :confused:

The small red wire will probably go to the starter solenoid, as for running another wire directly to the alt. from the battery, this would be fine, but I believe it should also be fused at the battery. As for the starter cable I would just leave it alone, unless you want to make it look pretty. [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

Thanks Hog_Hauler, not worth upgrading the wire to the starter solenoid, either? Cheers. Any idea on the fuse size I would need for the wire to the alternator? I will look in my manual, and try to work it out.....

^ Here's a hint, how big is the fuse on the stock charging cable from the alternator to the battery? That's right, there isn't one ;)


BootlegGuy - I've owned a bunch of GM's and have yet to see any factory ground over 10ga from the chassis to the battery. For the cost, do it.

I would definatly agree with Paul on this one.

for the cost, it should be one of the easiest upgrades possible. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

Thanks DUKK! So running a 4 AWG from the battery to the alternator is cool, the current will flow through the path of least resistance, correct? No need to disconnect the factory one? [img]smile.gif[/img]

I cannot see why having dual lines would be a problem - I doubled up the one on our Probe and it was fine. Did that on my Jimmy too [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

Oh - it won't make any difference charging wise though..

O.K. thanks.