fuse on an alternator

[Kyle]

Should there be a fuse on an alternator charging wire? Is it nescesary?

[xjs3667]

Fuse link usually and they do keep the wires from melting and possible fire and also battery from exploding, computer and other electronics from getting fried, in the case of regulator malfunction...

[fordrunner]

I'd leave one there some dumb  cut it out of my truck and when the regulator shorted out my radio and brake controller burst into flames

[Kyle]

Well i ripped out my old wires and upped to a 2ga wire to handle the entra draw. I guess ill just have to find a maxifuse holder. Any idea what size fuse i should use?

[mudbillyredneck]

Had a very nice 1986 IDI diesel crewcab 4x4 1 ton burn to the ground , several years ago ... due to a bad alt and an overcharge situation....all could have been prevented buy a little cheapy fuse


just sayin 

[Kyle]

What size fuse should i be running then?

[xjs3667]

You need to run a fuse link....alts put out around 200amps on average last I knew they don't make automotive fuses that big, fuse link is simple install in wire from bat to your main fuse box,  use a 50-80amp fusible link, they are made to withstand fluctuations in voltage and amperages, when there are sudden spikes and drops, unlike fuses that if were applied to spikes like that they would blow

[Kyle]

I run alot of accessories off of the battery itself so itd be easier to run a link off the alternator wire. The factory harness was setup that way i know

[84silverado]

i have a inline fuse holder that i bought at the wieland international truck shop just up the road that im using, it works fine for me, i have to run BIG fuses, but it works like a champ

[Kyle]

Thats what i figured id have to use. What size do you run?

[84silverado]

i used a fuse that was 10 amps more than my alternators max output