more amps

[Dan Darst]

We planned to, and were prepared to change the wire from the alternator to
the shunt and from the shunt to the batteries, to 4/0. The original wire,
which we were thinking was about 1/0 at 7 feet, was so buried and encased in
foam that we failed to remove it first try. If we succeed it will be to 4/0.
We did change one of the three ground straps on the alternator to 4/0.

Couple years ago we installed a 2500 watt (5000 watt surge) inverter/130 amp
charger in a 50 foot round trip run from/to the batteries using Ancor marine
grade 4/0 (tinned copper, fine strand, 8 dollars per foot cheapest find)
wire. So far have not had any problems with that set up, but don't know if
that reference should give any comfort on the seven foot alternator run
using origianal wire.

Thanks for taking your time to respond.
dandarst86fc35rbhuntleyil.




>From: "hsaddock"
>Reply-To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: more amps
>Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 12:00:15 -0000
>
>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.
>
>