any catastrophic events from having a 200Amp alternator?
4/20/08, 09:16 PM
#1
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any catastrophic events from having a 200Amp alternator?
i was about to order a 200Amp alternator for my mustang and wanted to know if this will do ANYTHING horrible that i should know about first lol
what about the power wire connecting the alt to the battery?? can you use the stock with a 200A alt? or that bad idea?
thanks guys
what about the power wire connecting the alt to the battery?? can you use the stock with a 200A alt? or that bad idea?
thanks guys
Last edited by jcopin; 4/21/08 at 12:28 AM.
4/21/08, 02:59 AM
#2
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I'm not sure about the gauge of the charging wire, but a 200A alternator should not blow up anything because the amount of current coming out is determined by the demand. At idle, with no accessories running, a 200A or 130A alternator will only supply ~15A of current at 13-14 VDC. Alternators generally are able to provide 85% of the rated capacity at idle, and can provide 100% capacity at about 2000 engine RPM (about cruising RPM). That does not mean you're sending 200A through the system at 2000 engine RPM though, it just means the alternator would be capable of providing up to 200A at that speed. Bottom line: No worries.
Last edited by metroplex; 4/21/08 at 03:00 AM.
4/21/08, 06:40 AM
#4
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As long as you're not trying to power an electric winch, coffee maker, or the city grid, the switch to a 200A won't cause any problems other than maybe increase the weight of the car and rob some additional horsepower.
4/21/08, 07:13 AM
#5
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When it comes to amperage, any given device / devices will only draw the amperage that it needs. When you are adding a higher capacity alternator all you are doing is increasing the available capacity.
There is really no downside other than a slight increase in weight. The weight increase would be very very small though. The increased potential for additional hp draw would also be so small I would challenge anyone to actually be able to measure it.
There is really no downside other than a slight increase in weight. The weight increase would be very very small though. The increased potential for additional hp draw would also be so small I would challenge anyone to actually be able to measure it.
4/23/08, 02:38 PM
#6
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When it comes to amperage, any given device / devices will only draw the amperage that it needs. When you are adding a higher capacity alternator all you are doing is increasing the available capacity.
There is really no downside other than a slight increase in weight. The weight increase would be very very small though. The increased potential for additional hp draw would also be so small I would challenge anyone to actually be able to measure it.
There is really no downside other than a slight increase in weight. The weight increase would be very very small though. The increased potential for additional hp draw would also be so small I would challenge anyone to actually be able to measure it.
I have a gut feeling that this 200A is probably just re-wound to provide up to 200A at 2000 engine RPM but provides possibly less "max" current output at idle engine speeds so there wouldn't be a significant gain in weight or reduction in engine output.
Last edited by metroplex; 4/23/08 at 03:00 PM.
4/24/08, 06:12 AM
#8
I would change the wire. D'Agostino Racing sells the kit with the upgraded wire. I changed mine out, it's easy.
If you don't change it out, one of two things can possibly happen. The wire will get so hot that the insulation on the wire will burn off and since this isn't a fused wire, then either:
A) the current will arc to your valve cover in a shower of sparks, burning a hole in your engine
or
B) the current will arc to your fuel rail or fuel injectors in a shower of sparks causing a catastrophic engine fire. The wire runs right against the fuel rails
When the stock wire fails (and it will fail) I hope nobody else is in your car and nobody else is around you. Pure neglegence not to change that wire out. Don't be a cheapass, spend the extra $30 to upgrade the wire to handle the 200A current.
If you don't change it out, one of two things can possibly happen. The wire will get so hot that the insulation on the wire will burn off and since this isn't a fused wire, then either:
A) the current will arc to your valve cover in a shower of sparks, burning a hole in your engine
or
B) the current will arc to your fuel rail or fuel injectors in a shower of sparks causing a catastrophic engine fire. The wire runs right against the fuel rails
When the stock wire fails (and it will fail) I hope nobody else is in your car and nobody else is around you. Pure neglegence not to change that wire out. Don't be a cheapass, spend the extra $30 to upgrade the wire to handle the 200A current.
4/24/08, 03:13 PM
#10
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I would change the wire. D'Agostino Racing sells the kit with the upgraded wire. I changed mine out, it's easy.
If you don't change it out, one of two things can possibly happen. The wire will get so hot that the insulation on the wire will burn off and since this isn't a fused wire, then either:
A) the current will arc to your valve cover in a shower of sparks, burning a hole in your engine
or
B) the current will arc to your fuel rail or fuel injectors in a shower of sparks causing a catastrophic engine fire. The wire runs right against the fuel rails
When the stock wire fails (and it will fail) I hope nobody else is in your car and nobody else is around you. Pure neglegence not to change that wire out. Don't be a cheapass, spend the extra $30 to upgrade the wire to handle the 200A current.
If you don't change it out, one of two things can possibly happen. The wire will get so hot that the insulation on the wire will burn off and since this isn't a fused wire, then either:
A) the current will arc to your valve cover in a shower of sparks, burning a hole in your engine
or
B) the current will arc to your fuel rail or fuel injectors in a shower of sparks causing a catastrophic engine fire. The wire runs right against the fuel rails
When the stock wire fails (and it will fail) I hope nobody else is in your car and nobody else is around you. Pure neglegence not to change that wire out. Don't be a cheapass, spend the extra $30 to upgrade the wire to handle the 200A current.
4/25/08, 05:57 AM
#11
The PA performance wire upgrade kit wire is 4 gauge I believe
gameguru thewire upgrade has a 200 amp fuse in line before it hits the battery to protect you from that. It's not just a wire, it's a fused wire. You should see how big the fuse is. I mounted mine to the firewall
gameguru thewire upgrade has a 200 amp fuse in line before it hits the battery to protect you from that. It's not just a wire, it's a fused wire. You should see how big the fuse is. I mounted mine to the firewall
Last edited by dustindu4; 4/25/08 at 05:59 AM.
4/25/08, 03:49 PM
#12
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From my memory of the graph I saw, I think the PA HO alternator can output about 130A at idle and 200A at 2k-2.5k.. so I think there will definately be a measureable (maybe not noticeable) loss of power.
But when my stock alternator dies, I'm still getting this HO version.. Would be nice to not have to turn my music down when I'm in traffic and my headlights/fogs are on. (I don't know if I have to, but I do just in case..)
But when my stock alternator dies, I'm still getting this HO version.. Would be nice to not have to turn my music down when I'm in traffic and my headlights/fogs are on. (I don't know if I have to, but I do just in case..)
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