1 wire alternator conversion

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Oct 26, 2004 | 04:30 PM

ford390gashog

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From: Brentwood,CA

1 wire alternator conversion

1 wire alternator conversion

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i am converting my 75 f 150 with a 390 to a 1 wire alternator can i use the factory wire hookup to the solenoid it also has a yellow and a purple wiha yellow stripe wire attached to it it was the hookup on the original battery post on the alternator can i just reuse it and which wires do i need to unhook from the old regulator so i don't ruin anything.

Oct 26, 2004 | 05:37 PM

Torque1st

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Do you have gauges or idiot lights?

Oct 26, 2004 | 05:55 PM

gcfisher75

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Joined: Dec 2002

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From: Grove City USA

not exactly the same, but I installed a one wire alt. on our forktruck where I work at very simple, just hooked up the original hot wire the went to the factory alt, and whala! it works great never have had any charging probs since... I don't believe u'll need ur regulator b/c it's all internal in the new alt.

Oct 26, 2004 | 06:02 PM

ivanribic

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: Spokane, WA

When I went to a 1 wire I junked my regulator but I did have to fiddle with the wires a bit for the truck to start. For the life of me I can't remember which wires they were now but I had it all figured out with about an hour of testing. I went straight to the battery with my cable as the new alternator is high output and would have fried the stock regulator.

Oct 27, 2004 | 03:44 PM

ford390gashog

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From: Brentwood,CA

how do i tell if the gm alternator i bought is a internal regulated alternator

Oct 27, 2004 | 03:52 PM

ford390gashog

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From: Brentwood,CA

it turns out i think i bought a 3 wire gm 63 amp based on this website http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/10si.htm can i still use this in my truck it is still a one wire hookup i just don't know if it is internal or external regulated

Oct 27, 2004 | 04:26 PM

Torque1st

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Joined: Sep 2001

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I hate to say it but if you don't understand electrical systems it is best to leave the truck electrical systems stock. I say this for safety reasons as well as reliability. You don't want your truck to burn down do you??? We can help you with stock systems here but it is very difficult to advise or help anyone with trouble on a custom install. It can be done but it is difficult.

-Just my 2 cents...

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Nov 25, 2004 | 11:13 PM

Thomasm67

Postmaster

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 2,985

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From: Nebraska

One wire set up's have an internal regulator i just installed today a powermaster 140 amp Alt and it was a 1 wire set up it gives you good instructions on any wiring problems you might run into. But forwarn they do cost a bit but to me it was worth it you get a red wire that runs from the alt to the positive side of your battery. I attached my to the positive side of the Solenoid and have had no problems so far.

Nov 25, 2004 | 11:31 PM

#10

whd507

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Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 1,172

Likes: 2

From: SW Missouri

all "one wire" alternators are internally regulated. if you have an externally regulated alternator, it will wire similar to the ford unit , which I prefer anyway...