Peter Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 Please excuse my total ignorance of electricity. My origianl alternator recently had rear bearing collapse, and casing meltdown. So am currently in the market for a new one, My 90 is a customised 300tdi automatic twin optima 8274 front winch lugging type. Anyway I had a 100amp alternator previously, am currently borrowing a friends old 65amp one. Are there any consequences of fitting a 120amp alternator ? What is the improtance of the amp rating all about. Is higher better ? Cheers Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 Higher is better but you do need to keep an eye on the capacity of your main battery cable - will it take 120A without catching fire? If in doubt run some new heavy-duty cable in its place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Member Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 It is not the battery cable that should be the concern. It is the cable from the alternator to the starter solenoid. Just run a bigger one if there is any doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 I meant alternator-to-battery as that's how I wired mine, I don't think I've ever had stock LR wiring in a vehicle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Member Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 Ahhh, I see. Most vehicles (LR included) run a cable to the starter solenoid and then a heavy cable to the battery. The starter solenoid post acts as the central hub for the 12V supply to the vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest diesel_jim Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Just run a length of 35mm2 cable from the new alternator either to the starter main terminal, or just straigth back to the battery. with good crimped on lugs. job done. 35mm is plenty big enought to carry the 120amps, and still easy to work with (unlike 70mm2 which is like using steam pipe!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WALFY Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Just run a length of 35mm2 cable from the new alternator either to the starter main terminal, or just straigth back to the battery. with good crimped on lugs.job done. 35mm is plenty big enought to carry the 120amps, and still easy to work with (unlike 70mm2 which is like using steam pipe!) Jamie I'd agree there. My rear husky is wired with 70mm cable. A pig to fit. I ended up laying the cable out and putting the crimps on when it was in situ. But at least the cables won't get hot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest diesel_jim Posted April 21, 2007 Share Posted April 21, 2007 If anyone wants the lugs crimped on properly (as opposed to in a vice/pliers/two house bricks etc) then i've got a proper crimping tool here, if you send me a length of cable i'll gladly crimp on the lugs, with heat shrink sleeve on the ends. T'is a much neater job, and gives the proper amount of (ie, relative lack of) resistance for the connections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.