HI all.I have a 48 f1 and I'm putting on a 1 wire alt off a 86 mercury.I got the harnees off a 1990 f150.The big wire hooks to the battery side of the solenoid. The little green one to a gauge.I'm hooking up a volt meter so do I hook the green wire and a keyed wire from the switch to the volt meter on the + side and the _ side to ground?Just don't want to burn anything up.Thanks
ART

 

A one wire is an aftermarket alternator with one wire. I was getting prepared for you to ask how to hook a one wire up, it's happened before.

You are correct, the large black/orange is the output wire and goes to the battery + either directly to the battery or to the solenoid.

The lightgreen red does not go to a gauge in any configuration. It goes to a key-on spot on the ignition switch or the fuse box, or it can go to a dash mounted "alt" light.

Do you not have a yellow/white wire? That should also go to the battery +, usually on the same large terminal as the black/orange wire.

 

Sorry about the one wire thing.I just bought a alt. for a 86 mercury.As far as the yellow/white wire I'm not sure.The harness has 2 wires that go into one, then the one hooks to the battery .I was going to wire a volt gauge to see if it was charging.
ART

 

If it's the internal regulator type, then here is a diagram for it.

 

Dave would this be considered the Ford 2g alternator?

 

Since it has two output wires (black/orange) I suppose it would be considered the 2g. The 3g is generally the same, except the diagram shows one large output wire. 1g is the old alternator with the external regulator.

 

A couple of questions for you then...I have a 2g alternator, not sure what year, but I think off a Mustang, but it will fit my '92 F150 5.0 motor mount with no problems. I pulled the '92 5.0 and transplanted into my '73. I was going to upgrade to a 3g, but since I have this one lying around I may use this for now. Do you know what were the different amperage ratings for the 2g (I am adding elec. fuel pump, digital ignition, pwr windows and locks, and elec. fan for sure... to my '73). Can I use the above wiring diagram and toss my old external regulator from the '73? Also, I don't have the connectors for the 2g. Do you know where I can pick those up? Here is a pic of what mine looks like. Is this the one you are describing above? Eventually I would like the 3, more output at lower rpms, but I could use that cash elsewhere on other stuff for now.

 

The majority of them were 75 amp. The parts stores keep the wiring pigtails in stock for these alternators, since they have trouble with them working loose and melting the plug.

 

Awesome, I will check there. I should be able to wire as above and toss the external I.R., correct?

 

Yes. Grab the wire off the old regulator that is red/green or green/red. That wire will match the function of the wire in the new diagram for the 2g.