Best way to wire h/o alternator

[okidoc]

What is the best way to wire a 100 amp alternator. I have had this in the jeep for awhile w/out problems. Currently, it's wired w/ heavy gauge wire(can't remember gauge) wired through a 100 amp(??) breaker. Recently I've noticed the amp gauge dropping close to the 8(stock gauge) at idle. Previously it would just touch the red. Battery is approx 2.5 years old, terminals clean, alternator approx 2yrs old as well. I'm thinking I might just pull it and take it back (lifetime warranty) and see what happens.

[J4GRAND]

I've been told that with a higher amp alternator, low amps/volts at idle is not uncommon. If it comes back up above idle, I would suspect that the brushes are getting a little worn from time.

[Joe Guilbeau]

We kinda need to know what kind of alternator you have...

With a Delco CS130 it sorta depends on the regulator inside, there are at least 10 different kinks of regulators on these.

Generally (for the CS130's), you have a "sense" terminal on the regulator that "turns on" the alternator.

You can wire this directly to 12Vdc, at the battery or the solenoid post, or thru a 12Vdc idiot lamp.

You can also wire these so that a quick rev of the engine will get the alternator going.

It can get confusing due to the many aftermarket regulators put into rebuilt alternaotrs.

We have a local pick and pull juck yard here in San Antonio, and for $18 dollars, you can get the CS130's all day long, in some GM product, my last one was from a Corsica, and it must have been about brand new, even the stickers on it looked new. This last unit provided 108 amps when tested.

[mdill]

Just to be on the same page, you have I assume a 86 + dash and volt meter.
If you are dipping into the 8 volt range even at idle this are not right. True alot
of after market (or even factory)high amp alts do not put much out at less than
~1200 RPM (alt RPM), but dipping to 8 volts is bad, I would confirm the reading
with real volt meter just to be sure.

I sounds like what you have should work, bigger guage wire from alt output
though a protection device then to starter lug. (I would have used a fuseable link
but a breaker should work, untill the elements get to it)

The CS series like the 130 or 140 (my favorite) will put out good current at idle
and even better at speed than the SI series that came with our rigs, just be sure
the rest of your chargeing system is up to the task as the stock wireing is not !

Mike D.