Feeling lucky - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AlaskaMatt · 07-17-2010, 02:30 AM

So as I pulled into my driveway today smoke billowed into the cab about the same time my radio shut off etc.

I jumped out popped the hood to smoke sparks and carnage. The wire from the alternator to the battery had come out of it's crimp and shorted on the battery box. The entire 6 feet of wire was burning up. I disconnected the batteries ( I run duals ) and luckily there was no spread or flame up.

I didn't lose the entire harness. the insulation did it's job, most of the other wiring is intact.

So glad I didn't lose my rig to fire.

Tomorrow some re-wiring and some inline fuses.

Not the project I had in mind for the weekend, I guess my top lift frame will have to wait.

herb101 · 07-17-2010, 09:18 AM

Good save dude!

I used a high amp fuse and holder when I did my 130A alternator conversion. Did the same on the GS alternator swap on my Fox Mustang. Check out Waytec for some options. I used them for the fuses and the fuse holders. This page has the high-amp fuse holders:

http://order.waytekwire.com/products...%20Protection/

I used the 46039 on the Blazer and the 46038 in the 'stang, so I can vouch for both of those. The fuses I used were the AMG style bolt-downs. I also used a 4 ga cable from the alt. to the fuse to the battery.

Herb

Jtrux · 07-17-2010, 10:26 AM

I've had wiring issues before and it sucks. Good luck getting it all resolved.

my90k5 · 07-17-2010, 11:27 AM

Good save! Looks like I'm going for an inline fuse myself now, thanks for the wake up.

BLUE THUNDER · 07-17-2010, 11:50 AM

Lucky man. Glad nothing else happened.

AlaskaMatt · 07-18-2010, 03:25 AM

Hey thanks everyone, I got it up and running again. Everything is fused now. Big inline fuse just off the alternator and I installed a fuse box just off the second battery so all accessories now are fused right up close to the power source. All the stock wiring for lights etc comes of the main fuse block so it should be good to go, although I may throw an inline fuse next to the battery to protect that line.

Still happy to have a non-burned up truck. Also happy to have dug into the wiring and cleaned it up significantly.

packers05 · 07-18-2010, 08:43 AM

Fusable link wire is cheap and easy that what comes on alot of late model stuff

AlaskaMatt · 07-18-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packers05

Fusable link wire is cheap and easy that what comes on alot of late model stuff

That might be the way I go for the remaining power lead to the fuse block. Although inline fuse is pretty easy too.

mcmlxix · 07-23-2010, 12:29 AM

You might want to concider a disconnect switch like the drag racers use...

Longblock · 07-23-2010, 08:16 AM

Had a nasty dash fire in a Scout once......burned the whole harness and most of the interior.....I did save it from spreading....When I was trimming the dash for a new stereo I grabbed the Sawzall to speed up things......skimmed a few wires.. and when I hit the key the cab filled w/ smoke......scary stuff......glad you saved it!

07-17-2010, 02:30 AM	#1
AlaskaMatt Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: AK Posts: 198	Feeling lucky So as I pulled into my driveway today smoke billowed into the cab about the same time my radio shut off etc. I jumped out popped the hood to smoke sparks and carnage. The wire from the alternator to the battery had come out of it's crimp and shorted on the battery box. The entire 6 feet of wire was burning up. I disconnected the batteries ( I run duals ) and luckily there was no spread or flame up. I didn't lose the entire harness. the insulation did it's job, most of the other wiring is intact. So glad I didn't lose my rig to fire. Tomorrow some re-wiring and some inline fuses. Not the project I had in mind for the weekend, I guess my top lift frame will have to wait. __________________ Thanks, Matt My Website

07-17-2010, 09:18 AM	#2
herb101 Used Register Join Date: May 2005 Location: Live Oak, TX Posts: 379	Re: Feeling lucky Good save dude! I used a high amp fuse and holder when I did my 130A alternator conversion. Did the same on the GS alternator swap on my Fox Mustang. Check out Waytec for some options. I used them for the fuses and the fuse holders. This page has the high-amp fuse holders: http://order.waytekwire.com/products...%20Protection/ I used the 46039 on the Blazer and the 46038 in the 'stang, so I can vouch for both of those. The fuses I used were the AMG style bolt-downs. I also used a 4 ga cable from the alt. to the fuse to the battery. Herb

07-17-2010, 10:26 AM	#3
Jtrux I'm a poor spectator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,287	Re: Feeling lucky I've had wiring issues before and it sucks. Good luck getting it all resolved. __________________ 2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!!

07-17-2010, 11:27 AM	#4
my90k5 72 K/5 Junkie Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Western PA Posts: 453	Re: Feeling lucky Good save! Looks like I'm going for an inline fuse myself now, thanks for the wake up. __________________ 72 k/5 CST 350 SM465 NP205 My Build Progress

07-17-2010, 11:50 AM	#5
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: Feeling lucky Lucky man. Glad nothing else happened.

07-18-2010, 03:25 AM	#6
AlaskaMatt Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: AK Posts: 198	Re: Feeling lucky Hey thanks everyone, I got it up and running again. Everything is fused now. Big inline fuse just off the alternator and I installed a fuse box just off the second battery so all accessories now are fused right up close to the power source. All the stock wiring for lights etc comes of the main fuse block so it should be good to go, although I may throw an inline fuse next to the battery to protect that line. Still happy to have a non-burned up truck. Also happy to have dug into the wiring and cleaned it up significantly. __________________ Thanks, Matt My Website

07-18-2010, 08:43 AM	#7
packers05 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: minonk illinois Posts: 224	Re: Feeling lucky Fusable link wire is cheap and easy that what comes on alot of late model stuff

07-23-2010, 12:29 AM	#9
mcmlxix Collector of Projects Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,106	Re: Feeling lucky You might want to concider a disconnect switch like the drag racers use... __________________ Rich 1972 K5 Blazer CST Click HERE D60 BIG BRAKE UPGRADE Click HERE

07-23-2010, 08:16 AM	#10
Longblock Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Anna, Texas Posts: 64	Re: Feeling lucky Had a nasty dash fire in a Scout once......burned the whole harness and most of the interior.....I did save it from spreading....When I was trimming the dash for a new stereo I grabbed the Sawzall to speed up things......skimmed a few wires.. and when I hit the key the cab filled w/ smoke......scary stuff......glad you saved it!



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