100 Amp 1 wire alt. install
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marine Corps Air Station
100 Amp 1 wire alt. install
I ordered a 100 amp 1 wire alt for my 76 F250. I know there are two types of gauges in the dash, an ampmeter or a voltmeter. How do I tell which one I have and how do I prevent a dash fire if I have the ampmeter? The only thing on my gauge is the letters "alt" and a "D-C". I don't really care at this point if the amp meter will work with the new alt. I just want a more powerful alt to help with the lights dimming at all engine speeds. The old charging system was new but the lights were so dim I could hardly see at night even with the high beams on. I was told to get an alt with more amps. Also is there any other problems I should be aware of if I run the 100 amp alt with stock electrical system?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Oregon
I doubt the new alt will help your problem. Look over to the right of your screen, click on tech articles, then scroll way down and find, "Whiter Whites, Brighter Brights," by Steve Delanty.
You probably have an ampmeter on your truck, (you can tell if the needle normaly rests in the center and you have a scale on the left and right.) The ampmeter won't be a problem, because the new Alt. won't push out current. The electric choke might be a problem.
I would look that article over before I replaced, what might be, a perfectly good charging system. A new Alt won't make your lights brighter.
You probably have an ampmeter on your truck, (you can tell if the needle normaly rests in the center and you have a scale on the left and right.) The ampmeter won't be a problem, because the new Alt. won't push out current. The electric choke might be a problem.
I would look that article over before I replaced, what might be, a perfectly good charging system. A new Alt won't make your lights brighter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,007
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From: Oregon
Those reman. alternators can be hit and miss sometimes. That's why they have such a liberal return policy.
Oh BTW, welcome to FTE!
There's lots of good info on this site. Look at the tech articles and play with the search feature. I'm not sure, but possibly every problem known to Ford trucks has been covered at least once on this site..
Oh BTW, welcome to FTE!
There's lots of good info on this site. Look at the tech articles and play with the search feature. I'm not sure, but possibly every problem known to Ford trucks has been covered at least once on this site..
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,628
Likes: 345
From: Albuquerque
The factory alternators don't usually work very well but they are safe. they use a shunt to sample the current. One caveat on one wire setupts. They wont "turn on" untill you hit arount 900 rpm or so.
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