I have a 130 now and with stereo it is just enough. Add and a/c or blower from heat and it suffers.
So, is it safe to go above 130?
So, is it safe to go above 130?
I put a 200 in mine. I just didn't want to have to upgrade later. It's working fine. I think it's safe.
Chris
holy smokes vin diesel what kinda stereo yous gots in that thing?!?!?!?!?
It's not only the stereo amp, which is a Zapco 360, but the Spal electric fan draws a lot! Plus, if i put a little AC on or run some heat in cloder weather is really sucks the power!
I will get a 2Ga wire. Where do i find this and what fuse do i use?
Pa Performance recommended a 4Ga for their 200amp alt??
You will need to upgrade the wire and fuse that connects the alternator to the starter solenoid. The 4 gauge wire for a 130 amp alternator is too small for a 170 or 200 amp alternator.
Ford is cheap, copper wire is expensive (especially now in large gauge sizes). Ford also did not plan on monster stereo systems and extra decorative lighting. Therefore, they used smaller gauge copper wire. The large gauge wire is always used for the alternator output to the battery/power distribution point. It is not needed for either the sense or regulator wiring.
If you have any doubts about my recommendations, go ahead and use an 8 gauge wire and push 130 amps through it. Just be sure that you have a way to cut off the power and have a fire extinguisher handy.
For a 130 amp alternator and a 10' feed wire you need 4 gauge wire and an 125 amp fuse. The 5 amp difference is less than 4% of the 130 amp advertised capacity. Since fuses have a long blow time, a slightly smaller fuse isn't going to rob you of any real useful power.
It is really evident that PA Performance did not check the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) wiring recommendations. If they had, they would have used a larger gauge wire.
For a battery cut off switch, see Moroso : Category Display
is the switch http://www.moroso.com/catalog/images/74102_inst.pdf is the installation instructions.
Use the super duty switch and the following tech note to wire it and you will
be good to go.
Use the Moroso plan for the alternator wiring and you risk a fire. The 10 gauge wire they recommend is even less adequate that the stock Mustang wiring.
There is a solution, but it will require about 40' of 18 gauge green wire.
Wire the battery to the two 1/2" posts as shown in the diagram.
The alternator requires a different approach. On the small alternator plug there is a green wire. It is the sense lead that turns the regulator on when the ignition switch is in the run position. Cut the green wire and solder the 40' of green wire between the two pieces. Use some heat shrink to cover the splices. See Ford Fuel Injection » How To Solder Like a Pro for some excellent help on soldering & using heat shrink tubing.
Run the green wire back to the Moroso switch and cut off the excess wire. Try to run the green wire inside the car and protect it from getting cut or chaffed. Crimp a 18 gauge ring terminal (red is 18 gauge color code for the crimp on terminals) on each wire. Bolt one ring terminal to each of the 3/16" studs. Do not add the jumper between the 1/2" stud and the 3/16" stud as shown it the
Moroso diagram.
How it works:
The green wire is the ignition on sense feed to the regulator. It supplies a turn on signal to the regulator when the ignition switch is in the Run position. Turn the Moroso switch to off, and the sense voltage goes away, the voltage regulator shuts off and the alternator quits making power.
The fuse & wiring in the following diagram are for a 3G alternator. The stock alternator uses a dark green fuse link wire that connects to 2 black/orange wires. Always leave them connected to the starter solenoid even if you have a 3G alternator.
See the following website for some help from Tmoss (diagram designer) & Stang&2Birds (website host) for help on 88-95 wiring
Mustang FAQ - Wiring & Engine Info Everyone should bookmark this site.
Ignition switch wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/IgnitionSwitchWiring.gif
Fuel, alternator, A/C and ignition wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/fuel-alt-links-ign-ac.gif
Complete computer, actuator & sensor wiring diagram for 88-91 Mass Air Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/88-91_5.0_EEC_Wiring_Diagram.gif
Vacuum diagram 89-93 Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustangFoxFordVacuumDiagram.jpg
Thanks for the tips-I do have the moroso 74102. I wish I had found that diagram a few months ago. Has that wiring scheme been proven? My wire scheme did work until the smaller stud were loosened and now the small studs are no longer continuous. any idea why the jumper wire on 3/16" terminals didn't fry sooner?