Hey smokerz,

I just bought a 1990 F250 XLT Lariat, 7.3l n/a, automatic. Bought it with 76k miles on it!!!! Paint suxx, but will be last priority.

Redid the return line o-rings, glow plugs with relay and rewired both batteries with 00 cables-just cuz.

Danged truck fires first roll over.

BTW- thank you all for the kewl suggestions and instructions for the GP Relay and o-rings... those were better than any manual!

Now I want to upgrade the alternator to a single wire charger, BUT, didn't know if there was something tricky being controlled by the external voltage regulator.... you know, the buried wire from controlling everything important!

Can I just cut-n-gut the external VR and wire in the single charge wire as necessary, without screwing up some tranny controller or instrument package??

I'd like to put a single wire 90-110 amp alternator in the truck for a camper set up. The truck already comes with 2-27 series batteries, but I'd like to put two more 's or 4-6V in series/parallel to fire off an electric drill, coffee maker and microwave while in the field.... through a 2/3500W inverter of course....maybe all at the same time! Anyway, I don't want twin alternators like my 6.0 has, just because I like extra room in engine compartments, so must compromise with longer recharge times on a larger battery system with only a single alternator.

They will be wired through a battery combiner with a charging equalizer.

Although the voltage regulator is generally considered small, about a 4" square, it will free up an additional 12"x 4" of space on my wheel well to boot. Good place to stow an emergency flashlight, rag, vise grips, multi-tip screw driver and one big freakin hammer in an old waterproof ammo can! I might even install a 12V compressor in there... haven't decided yet.

THX!

 

I upgraded to a 200A built 3 gen alternator. Very minor mods to make it fit (if any). You can get rid of the voltage regulator. About the only hidden job it has is to light up the low voltage battery light if I remember right. I've been running my 200A alternator for 3 or 4 years now on my plow truck with great results.

 

every pre-92.5 truck should be converted when purchased.
3G alternator FACTS (its wins agian!) - FSB Forums

 

Skip the 1 wire alternator idea it is just not reliable enough for me (works great on show cars) tends to be a short lived alternator. the ford 3g in stock form is superior to it in every way and very very reliable!! Its a direct swap and only 3 easy wires to hook up and puts out 130amps just above idle and puts out near 60 amps at idle without breaking a sweat!

 

Sorry... double posted trying to do an edit. @$#%@#$%$#)%@$#^($(%!!!!!!

 

Thanx fellas.

Looks like a 3g it is.

One alternative perspective on the 1 wire, I've been using them in the salt water environment for nearly 20 years. First thing I do is rip out the externally VR'd alt's. One less thing to corrode or check on, trace wire runs etc.

My boat alternators usually give up the ghost a few months/weeks, only after they've had a salt water dousing. Even then, they're quite reliable.

BTW- I like the idea of 130A straight off the shelf.!! While looking around, I found one putting out 200A that's a direct fit for the old 1G's!!!!


Gotta love free enterprise!!! There's always someone who will build it bigger and better!!