new 100amp alternator, need wiring assistance

[smithjw]

I just bought a new 100amp alternator needed to supply enough power to my audio equipment. I also got a Painless performance alternator wiring kit for high output alternator's. The diagram that is supplied with this kit shows that the output wire from the alternator should run to a maxifuse (heavy duty 50amp fuse) and then onto the starter solenoid. Now, upon checking the current wiring on my car, it seems that the alternator output wire runs directly to the battery compartment behind the driver seat and goes into what looks like a small distribution block, and then onto the positive battery cable. This wire already appears to be an 8 gauge wire. So, the question is, do I really need to do any re-wiring, and if so, what wires need to be beefed up? Why is my current wiring not like the supplied wiring diagram. Has someone possibly rewired my car before I owned it?

Thanks for any help on this.

 

[snk1994]

Jeff,
You shouldnt have any problems with the exsisting wireing in your corvette. Your Voltage regulator is going to limit the amount of voltage going through the wireing. The higher amperage alternator is just going to be able to power through your new load requirements..
Well that answers your question....but think about this....If your needing to put in a higher voltage alternator you are most likely running amplifier/s for your new sound system. Putting in a higher amp alternator will solve the power requirements for the amplifier under normal conditions. The best solution is a Capacitor. The capacitor will supply INSTANT power to the amplifier in excess to the 14.6 volts that you should be getting out of your alternator. Your amplifier with MOSFET wireing should be able to handle 25V with out a problem. If anything else in your car gets 25V it will most likely blow up. So a Capacitor will allowing your amplifier to work to peak performance at the same time not allow your vehicles electrical system to be taxed by the amplifier.....I hope that all made since.....Its really easy...Basicly the cap (capacitor) will store the extra Power your amplifier needs for those bass notes without asking the corvette to produce the power and pull from the other electrical components in your car.....You ever see the cars where the sterio hig a really low bass note and the head lights dimmed?
Hopefully that helped you out....and the really neat part is that the capacitor is SOOO easy to install. Basicly install it as close to the Amplifier/s as possible...Run the power from the battery straight into the capacitor and then from the capacitor straight into the Battery conection on the altenator...same with the ground.
Capacitors are sold in 1/4, 1/2, or 1 farrads. some have digital read outs on them and some dont. Basicly its like a car battery...buy a good name brand (rockford fosgate/Pheniox Gold, etc.) and anything extra is just more money and looks, pretty much doesnt really do anything for you.

Dont know much about body work, know alittle about engines but Sterio systems I can pretty much do.

~Steve