alternator wire ?

I just got the Powermaster 1 wire alternator. Is it ok to connect it with 10 gage wire or does it need to be 8? If I remember right, its generators that need the thicker wire. Thanks!

 

unless its a high amp rating # 10 is prolly ok. install a fusable link for safety

 

Thanks much!

 

If it were me, I'd stick to 8 Gauge.

10AWG will have a higher resistance than 8AWG, this will create a slight voltage drop.

Check out http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire3.shtml

 

#10 wire is fine for hot rods. Go larger for the tribal stuff with mega-watt stereo's, TV's, power seats, moon roof, pimp cave, you get the drift...

I use these breakers: Wicks Aircraft Supply

Fusable links are OK, but you can only use them once

Check the chart on the bottom of this page (based on resistance and thermal): Wire Table

 

Mine is a 100amp and it has a 10 gauge, the wire never gets warm.

 

Oh, important here:

but the only thing it has to power is my ignition system (msd), battery charging, and lights.

I suppose if I had electronics that made the alternator really get up to around 100 amps out output, I'd damn sure wanna run thicker wire but my alt will never see that kinda output, my 53 will never ask it to crank out 100 amps.

 

Expanding a bit, you can also use multiple #10 wires. For example, the headlights can be supplied with a #10 to the radiator mount point, and then relays used with the normal #14 to the lights (quad beam customs, etc).

 

Thanks for the great replies! Theres sumthing about wiring that makes my head hurt... Thats why I'm keeping it as simple as possible! No radio, electric fan, heater, interior lites, jacuzi, disco ball or anything else not needed. I'd get rid of the battery and run a magneto and a hand crank if I could. I want the headlites to be a luxury. Thanks again! Especially for the diagram break downs.