temporary alternator wiring
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From: Pflugerville, tx
temporary alternator wiring
While I continue to work on my truck body, I still want to take this beast around the block a few times, and want to keep the battery charged.
I haven't run any wiring harness yet, other than just enough to start this beast.
this is an alternator from a 87-93 mustang.
what (and how) do I need to hook up to get it to charge?
Obviously the big wire to the starter battery terminal.
seems like some wire to the ignition key run circuit.
and then some other wire, in many diagrams to the 'gauge/idiot light'
or some resistors
Or, maybe just replace it with a 1 wire alternator?
thanks
Sam
I haven't run any wiring harness yet, other than just enough to start this beast.
this is an alternator from a 87-93 mustang.
what (and how) do I need to hook up to get it to charge?
Obviously the big wire to the starter battery terminal.
seems like some wire to the ignition key run circuit.
and then some other wire, in many diagrams to the 'gauge/idiot light'
or some resistors
Or, maybe just replace it with a 1 wire alternator?
thanks
Sam
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Vancouver Island
http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/g...3d80167163.gif
This 1988 Mustang wiring diagram from Autozone's repair manual section may help. It looks like a (lt grn/red) wire goes to the idiot light, a couple of wht/blk wires go to each other (?) then all the other wires go to the battery.
Or, get yourself an older Ford alternator and regulator and follow this diagram:
http://www.mustangsteve.com/GENtoALT.html
This 1988 Mustang wiring diagram from Autozone's repair manual section may help. It looks like a (lt grn/red) wire goes to the idiot light, a couple of wht/blk wires go to each other (?) then all the other wires go to the battery.
Or, get yourself an older Ford alternator and regulator and follow this diagram:
http://www.mustangsteve.com/GENtoALT.html
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Sam,
Gm alternators are better and most one-wires are GM but I think I've seen a Ford one-wire somewhere. One-wires are great if you want to keep wiring to a minimum but come with drawbacks. They put out a constant voltage regardless of the system's needs since they do you use a "sense" wire and you have to bring RPMs up to get them to energize. I'm using a 10SI GM three-wire and the additional wiring is easy. I just finished wiring mine and even decided to use a warning light along with my voltmeter.
Vern
Gm alternators are better and most one-wires are GM but I think I've seen a Ford one-wire somewhere. One-wires are great if you want to keep wiring to a minimum but come with drawbacks. They put out a constant voltage regardless of the system's needs since they do you use a "sense" wire and you have to bring RPMs up to get them to energize. I'm using a 10SI GM three-wire and the additional wiring is easy. I just finished wiring mine and even decided to use a warning light along with my voltmeter.
Vern
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Just to be clear, you have to use a warning light with a 3-wire. The bulb is what kicks off the regulator by drawing some voltage thru the exciter circuit. (I guess you could use some other dummy load, but you need something).
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
Just to be clear, you have to use a warning light with a 3-wire. The bulb is what kicks off the regulator by drawing some voltage thru the exciter circuit. (I guess you could use some other dummy load, but you need something).
Vern
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From: Pflugerville, tx
Thanks Vern, I finally got my 130 amp alternator, and wired the grn/red wire to the 'run' lead on the ignition switch(after testing) , and voila the alternator kicks in... Now I have wired the relay for the radiator fan, and it kicked in right on time too..
woo woo.. one thing at a time..
Sam
woo woo.. one thing at a time..
Sam
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Sam,
Glad to hear it worked out for you. Strangely enough I've noticed that I sometimes have to rev my engine to get my alternator to start charging (a la one-wire) even though it's a 3-wire hookup WITH a warning light. I don't know what that's about but it's not a big deal. Perhaps my homemade warning light isn't "exciting" enough...
Vern
Glad to hear it worked out for you. Strangely enough I've noticed that I sometimes have to rev my engine to get my alternator to start charging (a la one-wire) even though it's a 3-wire hookup WITH a warning light. I don't know what that's about but it's not a big deal. Perhaps my homemade warning light isn't "exciting" enough...
Vern
Last edited by GreatNorthWoods; May 31, 2006 at 07:14 AM.
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Originally Posted by sdetweil
While I continue to work on my truck body, I still want to take this beast around the block a few times, and want to keep the battery charged.
I haven't run any wiring harness yet, other than just enough to start this beast.
this is an alternator from a 87-93 mustang.
what (and how) do I need to hook up to get it to charge?
Obviously the big wire to the starter battery terminal.
seems like some wire to the ignition key run circuit.
and then some other wire, in many diagrams to the 'gauge/idiot light'
or some resistors
Or, maybe just replace it with a 1 wire alternator?
thanks
Sam
I haven't run any wiring harness yet, other than just enough to start this beast.
this is an alternator from a 87-93 mustang.
what (and how) do I need to hook up to get it to charge?
Obviously the big wire to the starter battery terminal.
seems like some wire to the ignition key run circuit.
and then some other wire, in many diagrams to the 'gauge/idiot light'
or some resistors
Or, maybe just replace it with a 1 wire alternator?
thanks
Sam
Rod 51F1
Ikkyu @ comcast . net (NO SPACES)
Last edited by 51ford fan; May 31, 2006 at 08:10 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Rockford, IL
Try this. It doesn't use an idiot light. I haven't used it yet but I was told it works. If you want to use the idiot light, I started a similar post in the electrical forum.
Link to Charging System Diagram
I should mention that this diagram is for a one wire GM style distributor. Good luck, John
Last edited by black58; Jun 1, 2006 at 10:40 AM.
Roast em' if you got 'em
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Originally Posted by GreatNorthWoods
Sam,
Glad to hear it worked out for you. Strangely enough I've noticed that I sometimes have to rev my engine to get my alternator to start charging (a la one-wire) even though it's a 3-wire hookup WITH a warning light. I don't know what that's about but it's not a big deal. Perhaps my homemade warning light isn't "exciting" enough...
Vern
Glad to hear it worked out for you. Strangely enough I've noticed that I sometimes have to rev my engine to get my alternator to start charging (a la one-wire) even though it's a 3-wire hookup WITH a warning light. I don't know what that's about but it's not a big deal. Perhaps my homemade warning light isn't "exciting" enough...
Vern
Thats pretty much a normal condition, I wouldn't worry about it. Usually you just have to get it off idle for it to kick in, then after that it will charge fine at idle
Bobby
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From: Pflugerville, tx
Originally Posted by black58
Try this. It doesn't use an idiot light. I haven't used it yet but I was told it works. If you want to use the idiot light, I started a similar post in the electrical forum.
Link to Charging System Diagram
I should mention that this diagram is for a one wire GM style distributor. Good luck, John
this is all temporary while I finish the bodywork and play (drive it of course!)
Sam
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