Starter/Alternator Wire Question Update

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mikester

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Mar 10, 2010
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I deleted the thread about fusible links just now. Moving on to fixing the whole harness.
I looked at all the options regarding a new fusible link. Turns out the local auto parts houses didnt carry anything other than the ones made by Dorman. The way theyre made would make it a pain in the butt to attach more than one to the stud on the starter. I found a ton of them ready made but in the end I found a place about 20 minutes away that carried the wire in bulk to sell by the foot. I bought a couple of feet of 14 and 16GA.
Now that I have the wire to make the links it brings me to another bunch of questions.
The wiring from the alternator went to a factory splice that was in the split loom along the manifold. To be honest I redid it many years ago and Im not sure if Ive got everything going to the right places. Im also not sure if I used the right gauge wire.
I used 12GA to wire the alternator and the starter. Now that I have the fusible link wire I can see the 14GA looks more like the OEM link wire. So would that make the original wires from the alternator to the starter 10GA ?
Once I get the rest of the split loom off I might ask some of you guys if I have the wires going to the right places.
 
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pontiacgp

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Mar 31, 2006
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I don't understand why you delelted the thread about the fusible links since it contained good information from members who took the time to post....perhaps you were not interested in the info that people took time to post but there are other members who it could have helped
 
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84cutspreme

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Jun 4, 2009
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http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/fusible-link.shtml

mark is real helpful but he is pretty much a solo operation. very reasonable prices and pretty fast shipping

I just recently rewired entire charging system with dual 8ga charging cables going to junction block. now alternator feeds all the components and charges battery, also added the voltage sensing wire on cs130 to read actual voltage at junction. it was a little hard to make look nice but solved issues i had with electric fan draw
 
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mikester

Comic Book Super Hero
Mar 10, 2010
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I don't understand why you delelted the thread about the fusible links since it contained good information from members who took the time to post....perhaps you were not interested in the info that people took time to post but there are other members who it could have helped

One of your recent comments on a thread I posted questioned the need for a second thread about the same topic so I deleted it. Figured you were right. No big deal. Now you complain that I deleted my original thread. Sorry, didnt think it was that big of a deal.
If you look at any of my posts, I usually try to offer any help I can if its something Im familiar with. On the flip side of that if I ask for info its usually about something I cant figure out on my own. I also cant remember not thanking people for taking the time to post answers to questions Ive asked in the past. Thats not only on this forum, its on many other sites.
 

mikester

Comic Book Super Hero
Mar 10, 2010
2,904
3,641
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Small town NY
http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/fusible-link.shtml

mark is real helpful but he is pretty much a solo operation. very reasonable prices and pretty fast shipping

I just recently rewired entire charging system with dual 8ga charging cables going to junction block. now alternator feeds all the components and charges battery, also added the voltage sensing wire on cs130 to read actual voltage at junction. it was a little hard to make look nice but solved issues i had with electric fan draw

I saw this ad when I was looking for links. I considered contacting him but since hes in CA and Im in NY I thought I'd try to find an solution that wouldnt take so long to get. I want to be working on this tomorrow night and over the weekend.
As it sits now I have 6' of fusible link wire in 2 gauges. Ive got a ton of terminals and marine grade shrink tubing. Making them up will be easy now that I can see what theyre supposed to look like. I just need to know what gauge wire to use overall. Would it be 10 or 12GA ?
 

fleming442

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Dec 26, 2013
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Would it be 10 or 12GA ?
Factory correct would be 12, but I'd use fine strand 10 or even 8. Fun fact: electrons flow around the outside of the conductor, so the more strands, more surface area, and more of those happy electrons buzzing along.
 
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mikester

Comic Book Super Hero
Mar 10, 2010
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Factory correct would be 12, but I'd use fine strand 10 or even 8. Fun fact: electrons flow around the outside of the conductor, so the more strands, more surface area, and more of those happy electrons buzzing along.

Ive been using marine grade wire for just about everything. You think 10GA with a 14GA fusible link would be better than 12 with a 16 ? I'll post some photos of what I have later. You'll see why Im confused. LOL
 

fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
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Honestly, I think you're putting waaaaaay too much thought into it. The fusible link is rated to blow at a certain amperage. The rest of the wire can be anything as the link limits what's going through it. Does your fusible wire have the rating printed on it? I couldn't find anything definitive with a quick search. Just size the fusible link to the circuit you are powering.
Now, my opinion is this: these cars were made as cheaply as possible, so the wiring was sized to a minimum. I'm a firm believer in overkill; I'd put the biggest wire in I could.
 
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84cutspreme

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Jun 4, 2009
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i ran 12 with 16 fusible links to fusepanel, headlight switch and blower relay. for charging wire it depends on amp of alternator. i have 150amp alternator so charging wire is dual 8ga with no links. ran 8ga feed to junction for dual fan relays as well. as for starter wire from battery. bigger is better. I have 1ga feed and upgraded all the grounds as well and made ground junction block near headlights for fans. 8ga charging wire to charge battery. lastly i put a remote starter solenoid.
 
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mikester

Comic Book Super Hero
Mar 10, 2010
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3,641
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Small town NY
Honestly, I think you're putting waaaaaay too much thought into it. The fusible link is rated to blow at a certain amperage. The rest of the wire can be anything as the link limits what's going through it. Does your fusible wire have the rating printed on it? I couldn't find anything definitive with a quick search. Just size the fusible link to the circuit you are powering.
Now, my opinion is this: these cars were made as cheaply as possible, so the wiring was sized to a minimum. I'm a firm believer in overkill; I'd put the biggest wire in I could.

Im sure youve seen my build threads. LOL
Its like I cant leave stuff alone. This one broken link made this a project. I dont think the ratings are on the link wire. I'll look tomorrow night. I ran the wires from the alternator/starter/bulkhead connector years ago. Now that I see how its going to look Im redoing it again. I just want to make sure I have the right wires going to the right places. I wanted to have it done by the end of the week but got tied up doing a bunch of other stuff instead. Today was wasted going for a nuclear stress test. Tomorrow the front brakes on my wifes Yukon is the first thing I have to do. Maybe I'll mess with the 81 after that or Sat for sure.
 
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