Alternator leads.............

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Does anyone know of a reason that the alternator leads should not be lengthened? By adding about 6" to the existing wires, access to the back of the alternator for replacement or repair would be made much easier. Before jumping in and adding the extensions, I am leaning on the combined knowledge of all Pelicanites for a "Yea" or "Nay" answer!

Thanks,

rick-l · 01-08-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred cook

Does anyone know of a reason that the alternator leads should not be lengthened? By adding about 6" to the existing wires, access to the back of the alternator for replacement or repair would be made much easier. Before jumping in and adding the extensions, I am leaning on the combined knowledge of all Pelicanites for a "Yea" or "Nay" answer!

Thanks,

How often are you planning on removing your alternator? How about those little nuts on the fins?

Will the wires touch anything hot if you make them longer?

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Aside from a slight increase in loss/resistance I can't think of how it would really affect anything.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

The wires already run thru the opening in the end of the air direction vane body. I was thinking of adding a couple of loops to support the wires so they would not rest on the engine block. I don't know what the resistance of 6" of 12 ga. wire is, but it can't be much. I will dig out the volt/ohm meter when I get home and find out what the resistance will be. Actually what I was thinking of adding was a master plug for each set of wires. That way I would not have to fight with the lack of working room. How often would I need to use the extra length? Once would justify the mod! Thanks for the interest.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

The resistance of 12 ga wire is .00187 ohms per foot. Probably not enough to affect anything!

Mysterytrain · 01-08-2008, 01:13 PM

Just a wild thought...but I would think you wouldn't want the wires to rest on the block because of the extreme heat and the possiblity of melting and shorting. Its been awhile since I poked around in there but don't the wires float above the case and under the shroud?

kimlangley7 · 01-08-2008, 05:39 PM

I'll add one thing wrt alternator replacement and what NOT to do >

What not to do is use over-size washers on the air-direction part that affixes to the back of the fan assembly. A certain unnamed motor re-builder did on mine > and the oversized washers conatcted another metal part > completing a electrical circuit and damn near burned up my car..