Alternator / Voltage Regulator

[davids2toys]

Originally Posted by RICK LAKE

davids2toys Dave I don't beleive in 100 years that the MSD 6AL draws ONLY 1 amp for every 1,000 rpms. Why the heavy 12 gauge wire then???
Remember I said overkill, THis fusible link is also like a resistor and you loss ampage going though it. IT's like a funnel you are pouring a fluid through, pour slow and you have no backup, pour fast and the funnel fills. Same applys for electrical curcuits. This is why good connections are so important.
Curcuits are tested with a steady load, not with startup spikes. Your fans on your car my draw 15-18 amps but the startup may be as high as 40-60 amps for a split second. For this second the ampage is way beyond the curcuit limit. The fuses are slow blows and are the safety protectors of the curcuit. This only last for .10 of a second. Over time a fuse or link will weakin from the heat or spike loads. I don't explain theory very good, too many days of missing school.
Any way Yes a 16# link would be ok, just no for me. The link will still blow if a dead short happens. With 12 Gauge on this curcuit I don't believe in having any problems. Other power curuits, yes with running a lighter gauge fuse, depending on the wire of that curcuit. I like to match up gauges.
PS stop finding things on the car. You are 3 hours away, any more problems, I am sending Pat to fix your car.

Rick, I am doing multiple jobs at the same time so I have multiple issues, sorry. I am not a 1/2 arse person , I like to do things right the first time and avoid learning stupid, expensive, potentially disastrous lessons.
You explained some of this well. I do understand about start up spikes vs steady running use and the importance of good connections.
Maybe I am an idiot but I still do not understand what you used when you say "40amp". Was this the fusible link wire I am looking at online? As I said, 40 amp equals a 22 gauge wire, so I am still not understanding what you used. So are you saying 16 gage fusible link wire(75 amp) is OK, but not for you? You would go with the 22gage(40amp)fusible link wire???

Yes, only 3 hours away...you are more than welcome, why don't you and Patrick come up and we will have a nice BBQ and play with my car...LOL. Also show you some awesome cobra driving roads. I have a lift if you want to put your cars up in the air to do any work or service

PS: Don't forget the duct tape Pat