questions on charging, Alt, Reg Etc

[dodj]

What if this occurred? Would not a fuse at the battery be appropriate

That would be the same as the stud on your starter relay coming loose. It's not fused either. It comes down to the length of wire from the battery. Is the extra 36" a risk? If you consider it a probable cause of a fault, fuse it. It's like the priest's holy water. Might not help, but it won't hurt. IMO, the wire to your starter is much more likely to be the source of a problem. It regularly carries VERY high current and comes close to your exhaust manifold/hedder, is unprotected, and large enough gauge wire to really carry some serious fault current. 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

So a fuse would simply protect that section of wire between the two sources?

 What if this occurred? Would not a fuse at the battery be appropriate

I'll bet that aftermarket wire goes straight to the battery. If that stud shorted to the casing of the alternator, you'd have a fire on your hands pretty quickly..

[dodj]

What if this occurred? Would not a fuse at the battery be appropriate

I'm thinking the only way that could happen is if you are working in the engine compartment and accidentally hit the O/P stud with a ratchet. Pretty hard. Appears to be a staged photo to exhibit a highly unlikely scenario. Certainly didn't break from over tightening. 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I'm thinking the only way that could happen is if you are working in the engine compartment and accidentally hit the O/P stud with a ratchet. Pretty hard. Appears to be a staged photo to exhibit a highly unlikely scenario. Certainly didn't break from over tightening. 

...not staged


http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=81406.msg815578#msg815578

[dodj]

...not staged


http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=81406.msg815578#msg815578

Then I change my opinion, I'm wrong. Fuse link it. Although for short circuit protection, I'm thinking two or three parallel #14 fuse links?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Then I change my opinion, I'm wrong. Fuse link it. Although for short circuit protection, I'm thinking two or three parallel #14 fuse links?

I use a 100a marine circuit breaker on mine.

[LAA66]

 Would a fusable link section directly off the alternator be OK?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Would a fusable link section directly off the alternator be OK?

It's always suggested that the fuse/circuit protection goes as close to the power source (in that case the battery) as possible.

[LAA66]

 Thanks, I have one coming off the relay which is as close as possible. Couldn't hurt to put one directly off the alternator for the charging feed also.

[dodj]

I use a 100a marine circuit breaker on mine.

Any chance you checked to see if a breaker that large would trip on arcing? I realize it's main purpose is short cct protection, but just wondering.
I was looking at this also. Opinions? I was thinking it would get rid of the multiple wires under one nut problem.