Battery Question

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chrish04

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Alright well I was driving home from work and noticed my voltage meter going down farther than normal operation, so I got home and went to check the cable to make sure they were tight and I swear I have a 3rd degree burn on my hand from where I touched them, I never knew termals to get that hot, Anyone have any idea on what might be making them get that hot, it was hot enough to blister my thumb brite white 5min later
 

chrish04

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Well the wire werent really hot, just the terminals. But I took her down and go the chargin system checked battery 100%,Alternator was only putting out 40amps, could that be the problem since its having to work so hard to keep the battery charged? I looked on my window sticker for the truck and it said factory alternator is 104amp I figured it would be more than that will having the HD tow package. So I got a new 104amp alternator but for 24$ more bucks I could get a 140amp should I take the 104amp back and get the 140amp?
 

95TwinTT

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For sure you should go for the 140 if it will fit. You might also consider increasing the wire size from the alt to the batt.

I changed up from the 104 to the 140 last year and it has worked great. I went to 4 ga from the alt to the batt, which is probably a bit more than it needs, but my volt meter holds a steady 14 volts now. :cool:
 

chrish04

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do you think that it will fit? If it fit on yours I imagine it should on me dont you think? How hard is it to change to bigger wire? Im not much of a gear head. my shop foreman is going to help me tomorrow at work while me are suppose to be working on other stuff. I love the oilfield get paid to work on your own stuff in a machine shop with every tool you can ever imagine.

Thanks,
Chris
 

95TwinTT

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If the alt is out in the open, I should not be a bid deal. The parts guy should know if it fits.

I have a different situation that is not stock. I actually had the rebuild shop "soup up" my existing alternator using the same housing. They had it up to 145 amps on the bench tester. It tested at 104 before they went to work on it.

I was not able to get over 12.5 volts with the original alternator and it was working perfect. (too many electrical gadgets added to the truck)

If they offer the larger alternator in a trailer package or HD package, it should fit.

The wire change is easy. You may have to add a 200 amp fuse if you end up eliminating the fuseable link. I used 4 ga, just because I had some laying around.

It sounded like your main problem was the altenator failed. If it's any hassle at all, I would just stay with the stock alternator for now, if you have not added any sound equipment or anything else that takes added power.

If you will be adding big sound gear in the future, you could get the alternator out of the way now. :)
 
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