work under the hood
03-01-2006, 09:12 PM
#1
work under the hood
I have been swamped with homework these past weeks but I finally got some time to start working on the "big 3". It looks like it is going to be a fairly simple job. But I noticed that the positive from the alternator to the positive on the batter is NOT fused. I know every one says that i need to fuse that wire but the stock wire isn't fused. Do you guys have any input on that? And i was wondering what i could do to solder the terminals. What do you use for this? I am sure some of my friends own the right instruments but i don't know what to ask/look for.
And what is the difference between deepcycle batteries and regular batteries? Thnx
And what is the difference between deepcycle batteries and regular batteries? Thnx
03-02-2006, 06:04 PM
#4
It's always a safe and good idea to fuse. Considering that one usually uses a larger gauge wire for the big 3 (4awg or larger), this equates to a much larger current draw should it happen to ground out (think car accident). And I doubt the car manufacturer ran an unfused positive wire; I'm pretty sure the stock wire is fused (it runs through the fuse panel, doesn't it?). Further, a fuse would also protect your battery (when placed on the battery end of the wire run); it would suck if your $200 deep cycle battery exploded because you didn't want to spend an extra $20. Cheers.
03-03-2006, 09:57 AM
#6
It's very much possible that the factory did not run a fuse on the alternator to battery postive cable. It can depend though on how new the vehicle is. I'm not entirely sure, but newer vehicles that have underhood fuse boxes could indeed have this cable fused. Or have a fusible link. My 90 Daytona V6 had one of those. My 85 Chevy 1/2 ton has no fuse though, it also had no underhood fusing or even a vehicle computer for that matter! The fuse box under the dash grabs power from the positive post on the starter. No fuse on the battery to starter cable either.
Make sure you are fused on your stereo systems main power cable at the battery and you'll be alright.
Make sure you are fused on your stereo systems main power cable at the battery and you'll be alright.
03-03-2006, 10:11 AM
#7
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 649
Most manufacters dont fuze theres,some do. If your upgraing, why not go all the way and do it rite. It always looks nice to have two matching fuze holders mounted nice under your hood.(one for your system,one for your alt) Maybe get creative with some plexy or lexan.If you need some help P.M me
03-03-2006, 04:18 PM
#9
one puts a fuse on the alt - batt positive so that the wire doesn't burn up if its shorted. say u get into an accident, or the wire rests against something hot and starts to melt the plastic, as soon as the wires hit some metal and grounds out all the current from the alt will want to go through here, the wire will melt from the inside out and possibly cause lots of damage to ur car. it would be stupid not to fuse this wire. depending on the size of the wire one should fuse accordingly, just under the max current the wire can hold so it does not melt and max current is aloud to pass through.
Steve
Steve
03-03-2006, 05:22 PM
#10
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 191
Originally Posted by SUX 2BU
It's very much possible that the factory did not run a fuse on the alternator to battery postive cable. It can depend though on how new the vehicle is. I'm not entirely sure, but newer vehicles that have underhood fuse boxes could indeed have this cable fused. Or have a fusible link. My 90 Daytona V6 had one of those. My 85 Chevy 1/2 ton has no fuse though, it also had no underhood fusing or even a vehicle computer for that matter! The fuse box under the dash grabs power from the positive post on the starter. No fuse on the battery to starter cable either.
Make sure you are fused on your stereo systems main power cable at the battery and you'll be alright.
Make sure you are fused on your stereo systems main power cable at the battery and you'll be alright.
5 speed?
