Hey guys I just bought a 3G small case 1 wire alternator for my 1976 ford f100 with a 302. I was told that the one wire from alternator goes to the positive post of the battery. Is it that simple or is there anything else I should do?

 

There's more to it than that.

Refer to the Tech Info hyperlink compilation linked in my signature below. There are links to threads on how to do this... explicitly and graphically.

 

I do not recall a 3 g 1 wire. The 3 g is an upgrade to the 1 wire, but per previous posts you need to wire the 5 wires in a way that hooks up to a one wire.

If in fact there is only one terminal, then I know of no other way then to hook to + bat

 

The alternator is already upgraded to a 1 wire setup, I bought it on eBay and the instructions say to just connect the one wire to the positive side of the battery. Just making sure it's that easy.

 

Generally the starter solenoid is close to the battery and connected by heavy cable and should work fine. Just run your "1 wire" to the main post on the solenoid. The original charge wire (old alternator output post) can be hooked up the the new alternator output also to help feed the rest of the system. The two other OE wires need strapped and taped off or removed.

I taped my two smaller wires off and keep the mighty 40 amp original alternator behind the seat just in case of emergency.

You probably already know your ammeter will not function and need to add a voltmeter to a switched ignition circuit to monitor system condition.

Also a good idea to put some overload protection in the main charge wire in case of short. A fuse or fusible link works. NAPA sells "maxi" or "mega" fuses in 150 amp ratings that should be about right or some 10 gauge fusible link and a 6 gauge charge wire to the starter solenoid.

 

Thank you Blue and White, it makes perfect sense now.

 

HIO's thread also links to a company that sells external regulators for the 3G alternators if you want to keep your ammeter.

 

Just an update on the installation of my 3G one wire alternator, it was pretty much straight forward no modifications to the brackets or anything just the one wire from alternator to the positive side of the starter solenoid protected with a 200a fuse. I also installed 2 flex-a-lite electric fans model 410.






Old 1g alternator








Flex a lite fans





New 3G alternator

 

One thing you should never do is paint your wire's when doing touch up on your car or truck, the paint can and will go threw the plastic coating and ca-rode the wire.