Replacing 55amp with 65 amp

[parabellum]

Can I replace a 55 amp alternator (3 wire) with a 65 amp alternator (1 wire)? The local West Marine sold me the new one as a replacement on my 1994 Merc. 5.0L. Its all wired in with the extra 2 wires taped off separately but I don't want to fire up the engine if I'm going to fry something.

Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing 55amp with 65 amp

You are probably fine as long as the wire from the alternator to the battery is not so close to being a marginal guage that you risk melting it...usually not a problem and would more than likely only result in a small voltage drop and only for a short while.