Fuse/Fusible Link for alternator

[OhBuoy]

I ran my wire from my alternator to my battery cutoff switch (used to go to starter) today. While running it, I started thinking...

There are two sources of power in this line. Voltage can flow from the battery through the wire and cause sparks if there is a short. When the engine is running, voltage can flow from the alternator to the battery. Wouldn't it make sense to protect both ends of the wire? My wiring kit only came with one fusible link for the alternator circuit.

Also, has anyone replaced the fusible links with MAXI fuses? I have a 100 amp alternator and the largest MAXI fuse I can find is a 60AMP. Will this work? I do not have a heater, radio or other gizmos.

Tom

[RICK LAKE]

A fusiable link is better for what you want. It takes longer to blow and will handle amp spikes better than a fuse and you can get the links in different amp reading. Rick Lake

[Steve R]

Tom,
Good question. Yeah that wire segment could turn into a giant lightbulb. Can't see where 2 links would hurt, so you might as well err on the side of caution. You could always eliminate it if there is any problem.

[Excaliber]

60 amp fuse won't cut it when conditions call for the Alt. to put more than that. And it CAN put out more than that.

Headlights left on, battery dead, won't crank. Get jump to start. Alt SPIKES well above 60 are possible. Likely? No,,,,,,but you gotta ask yourself,,,,do you feel "lucky"? Well,,,,,do you? Ha ha.

Ernie

[khall]

Check out the Select Products catalog at:

http://www.selectproducts.com/product/fuses.html

Both the high amp MIDI and MAXI fuses are slow-burn, designed for automotive applications. A fuse block is available for both.
Fusible wire (arranged in parallel) can be used but it would look a bit messy.
Or you could find a local automotive audio installer to do it for you. They deal with high amp systems every day.