more amps

[hsaddock]

Dan:
I agree with Craig, wire size from the alternator to the battery
banks is the first issue, the battery isolator or relays that
isolate the house from starting and genne batteries is the second
issue and all wires/devices down stream are a potential issue.
Let's address the wire size first. I'm not sure what wire size from
the alternator your coach has now, my 83 FC 35 with a 165amp
alternator has 1 gage wire and it runs about 7 feet. I would guess
yours to be similar. From the work I have done with inverters, the
manufactures would suggest 3/0 or 4/0 cable for a similar
current/distance run. (keep in mind that you can weld massive steel
structures at 320 amps, you need welding cable here!) Next check
the ratings on the battery isolation/relays and upgrade as required,
320 amps would smoke my old diode isolation system and the new Blue-
sea isolation relay I just installed. I would then look at all
down stream loads, if they can draw more than the output of your old
alternator @ 165amps (such as house batteries, genne starting
batteries) then the wire size of these loads will need to be
upgraded to the correct size for the max amount they could draw but
you don't need to go larger than the max the alternator can put
out. If you don't address the wire size issue, someday, when the
batteries are low and the alternator is pumping out max current for
an extended period of time, smoke and fire will be the result.
Harry Saddock
83FC35
South Windsor, CT

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "casmith"
wrote:
> I'd be concerned about the size of the wire. Twice the current is
now
> available. I'd check the blueprints to see if it will handle it.
>
> Craig 91PT40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dandarst"
> wrote:
> > Jay and I just removed the 160 amp and installed a 320 amp Leece
> > Neville alternator. Anybody know what trouble I would be asking
for
> > with this change? Have not been out on the road yet, but spun it
in
> > the drive way. Gauge only goes to 150 amps and got all of that.
> > Probably need to watch the belts. Will this cook the Trojans?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > dandarst86fc35rbhuntleyil.