DB Electrical Alt Problems?

[2,4shofast]

So I fried my DB 250amp alternator after less than 3500 miles, has anyone done the same? Thanks

[fastblackmerc]

Mine is still working fine.

Call DB, I'm sure they'll replace it.

[2,4shofast]

It is still cover under warranty and I think they have awesome products, just wondering if this is common?

[Dennis Reinhart]

No these are a quality unit did install the wiring lit. As well

[FordNut]

I used one for 2 years, the regulator went out and I sent it back. They fixed it for free.

[Fourth Horseman]

So I fried my DB 250amp alternator after less than 3500 miles, has anyone done the same? Thanks

Damn, buddy, sorry to hear of the trouble. My understanding is that you had not yet upgraded the wiring ("the big three"). I'm not sure I understand how that could lead to a fried alternator. Do you think it could be an issue?

I'm installing my DB 200amp alternator next weekend, and plan to do the wiring upgrade at the same time. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

[fastblackmerc]

Damn, buddy, sorry to hear of the trouble. My understanding is that you had not yet upgraded the wiring ("the big three"). I'm not sure I understand how that could lead to a fried alternator. Do you think it could be an issue?

I'm installing my DB 200amp alternator next weekend, and plan to do the wiring upgrade at the same time. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

My wiring upgrade

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN1135.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN1137.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN1138.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN1139.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/DSCN1136.jpg

[Fourth Horseman]

Looks really nice. For your engine ground it looks like you ran back to the firewall. Where did you terminate the firewall side of that ground wire?

[2,4shofast]

Fastblack,

That is beautiful! I have upgraded my most of my wiring to 4ga, probably going a little bigger when I rewire everything. You have done and amazing job! I am also wondering about your engine ground. Thanks for the pics.:beer:

[Fourth Horseman]

I'm going 1 gauge on my wiring. I went looking for a crimp tool capable of doing 1 gauge and almost passed out when I saw the prices. I sure hope I can rent one at AutoZone.

[2,4shofast]

I'm going 1 gauge on my wiring. I went looking for a crimp tool capable of doing 1 gauge and almost passed out when I saw the prices. I sure hope I can rent one at AutoZone.


If not I think I might have one at work I can use.

[Fourth Horseman]

If not I think I might have one at work I can use.

Yeah, you left it in under the seat of that block 52 you promised to let me test drive. :D

[fastblackmerc]

Looks really nice. For your engine ground it looks like you ran back to the firewall. Where did you terminate the firewall side of that ground wire?

I highlited the grounding points. Used the factory points.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/250%20Amp%20Alternator/Highlited.jpg

[fastblackmerc]

I used these to solder the wire to the terminals and then used heat shrink tube to seal and finish it off.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=wire+solder+pellet s&_sacat=0&_odkw=wire+solder+plugs&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

Get the copper terminals at WalMart and the shrink tube at Northern Tools or Harbor Freight.

[Fourth Horseman]

Awesome, thank you for highlighting that in the pic. I'll ground my engine to the same spot. I have copper terminals for the cable, but I've never seen anything like those solder slugs before. How do they work? Do you put the slug inside the terminal, heat it up and push the wire in? I was planning to just do a good crimp job and then use heat shrink tubing over the top.

EDIT: Nevermind, as my friend is always saying, "GTS!" (Google That sh.. errr, stuff). I think these solder slugs look like a great solution. Thanks for the tip!

[fastblackmerc]

Awesome, thank you for highlighting that in the pic. I'll ground my engine to the same spot. I have copper terminals for the cable, but I've never seen anything like those solder slugs before. How do they work? Do you put the slug inside the terminal, heat it up and push the wire in? I was planning to just do a good crimp job and then use heat shrink tubing over the top.

EDIT: Nevermind, as my friend is always saying, "GTS!" (Google That sh.. errr, stuff). I think these solder slugs look like a great solution. Thanks for the tip!

The pellets are available in different sizes depending on the wire gauge / terminal size.

Strip the wire, put the terminal in a vise open end up, put a pellet in the terminal, hold wire in one hand, heat terminal with propane torch, when solder pellet melts jam wire into terminal. The pellets have some flux in them, but I also used so liquid flux.

[Fourth Horseman]

The pellets are available in different sizes depending on the wire gauge / terminal size.

Strip the wire, put the terminal in a vise open end up, put a pellet in the terminal, hold wire in one hand, heat terminal with propane torch, when solder pellet melts jam wire into terminal. The pellets have some flux in them, but I also used so liquid flux.

Yup, Google had the procedure. These will work great. Thanks again.

[massacre]

+1 on the solder plugs, that's how I'm doing mine:

http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=59