Question to those that have added extra wire from alternator to battery.

[GMP440]

   I had a question on adding a wire from battery terminal on alternator directly to positive terminal post on battery.  Is there an advantage to doing this?  Also, is there any risk to doing this since this would be unregulated voltage.  Thanks.  George
 

[A383Wing]

It's still regulated voltage. The only thing is that you will not get a true ammeter reading due to the extra wire taking a shortcut to the battery

Bryan

[John_Kunkel]

  With the bypass, the ammeter will only show discharge so a voltmeter is needed to gauge the system.

[GMP440]

  Thanks for the responses.  Is there an advantage to doing it?  Does it improve the performance of the electrical system? 

[John_Kunkel]

Taking some of the load off of a flow-through ammeter is always an improvement...eliminating the ammeter altogether is better.

[mAdMoPaR]

Thinking of doing the same while I have the dash out. But just might leave the ammeter alone and run a parallel thru the firewall and attach a voltmeter to the bottom of my dash. Just wondering on a source for 10 gauge (or 8?) wire to do the parallel bypass.  Seems I could only find aluminum clad speaker wire in that gauge.

[John_Kunkel]

I use a #6 wire to parallel the ammeter, hooked directly to the alternator output terminal and routed across the core support to the battery terminal. Larger gauges aren't as easy to find as the smaller sizes, try an electric supply.

[A383Wing]

My local O'Reilly parts store has #8 & #6 gauge wire in stock on the shelf....you need to ask them for it....it's not out in the electrical section in the store

Bryan

[Nacho-RT74]

With the bypass, the ammeter will only show discharge so a voltmeter is needed to gauge the system.

It shouldn't show any reading actually.


Aaaand if in any case some discharge reading is coming, you could be getting a damaged conection on bulkhead at alternator wire. Check for that.

[b5blue]

Thinking of doing the same while I have the dash out. But just might leave the ammeter alone and run a parallel thru the firewall and attach a voltmeter to the bottom of my dash. Just wondering on a source for 10 gauge (or 8?) wire to do the parallel bypass.  Seems I could only find aluminum clad speaker wire in that gauge.
[/quote
I found the best deal was amplifier install wire kit on eBay to get 8ga 

[John_Kunkel]

With the bypass, the ammeter will only show discharge so a voltmeter is needed to gauge the system.

It shouldn't show any reading actually.


Aaaand if in any case some discharge reading is coming, you could be getting a damaged conection on bulkhead at alternator wire. Check for that.

"Bypass" wasn't a good word, shoulda said parallel. As long as the original circuit is left intact, the accessories that draw power will draw it through the ammeter circuit thus showing a discharge even though the battery is receiving full charge voltage through the parallel wire.

[A383Wing]

yes...parallel is the proper term to use...and it will show movement on the ammeter...just not as much as before the extra wire was added

Bryan

[Nacho-RT74]

Same as the charger reading then!

[mAdMoPaR]

If going with the parallel setup is there any particular type of special grommet that needs to be used for the two wires running through the firewall, in my case I'm running 8 gauge.

[b5blue]

If going with the parallel setup is there any particular type of special grommet that needs to be used for the two wires running through the firewall, in my case I'm running 8 gauge.

I used marine grade compressible, a concern is the connectors also. Look at the amp rating, they need to be beefy.

[jlatessa]

And solder them!!

Joe

[HeavyFuel]

more info.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,123604.msg1537602.html#msg1537602