alternators
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
alternators
Has anyone converted their alternator to the one wire type? I thought that you only needed to connect the positive to the alt and that was it but the person I bought it from said that I need to take the ignition wire from the regulator and attach it to the alt. Any ideas?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,157
Likes: 1
From: Central Kali
alternators
What little I know about 1 wire alternators is that you have to rev up the engine to get them going. That might not be needed with an extra connection. Me, I will stick with my external voltage regulator. It works well and is easy to trouble shoot. 
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green, Ohio
alternators
Inliner,
Yes, you need to hook up one wire (a hot-when-ignition-is-on wire would work well) to the alternator's "R" or "1" connector (if you are using a GM alternator). This will turn the alternator's electomagnetic field on, and thus the alternator will produce electiricty. Make sure the wire you use is not hot when your key is in the "accessory" position. There's a decent schmatic of how
to wire a GM alternator here (you will need to add the http stuff. I couldn't get the url to show up properly).
://www.webpal.org/webpal/b_recovery/3_alternate_energy/
electricity/lawnmower/generator/thrpag.html
Just use your hot-when-ignition-is-on wire in place of where they show a switch. My experience w/ the one wire alternators is that they charge just fine at low speeds. I hooked a one-wire GM alternator up to a bicycle to make a 12v generator. It's hard to spin the alternator when the fields are "on", but even a fairly low RPMs the alternator put out decent voltage.
Ohio Bill
1972 F100 360 4v 4speed
1968 Torino GT 429 4v 5 speed
Yes, you need to hook up one wire (a hot-when-ignition-is-on wire would work well) to the alternator's "R" or "1" connector (if you are using a GM alternator). This will turn the alternator's electomagnetic field on, and thus the alternator will produce electiricty. Make sure the wire you use is not hot when your key is in the "accessory" position. There's a decent schmatic of how
to wire a GM alternator here (you will need to add the http stuff. I couldn't get the url to show up properly).
://www.webpal.org/webpal/b_recovery/3_alternate_energy/
electricity/lawnmower/generator/thrpag.html
Just use your hot-when-ignition-is-on wire in place of where they show a switch. My experience w/ the one wire alternators is that they charge just fine at low speeds. I hooked a one-wire GM alternator up to a bicycle to make a 12v generator. It's hard to spin the alternator when the fields are "on", but even a fairly low RPMs the alternator put out decent voltage.
Ohio Bill
1972 F100 360 4v 4speed
1968 Torino GT 429 4v 5 speed
Last edited by Ohio Bill; Feb 19, 2003 at 08:39 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake,WA USA
alternators
I did a one-wire alt in mt '71 F250. I have dual batterys w/ a isolator inbetween. I used a 20ga jumper wire from battery one post to the alt post on the isolator. That is how I get 12v to the alt using a isolator.
As far as using a one-wire with a single battery. All you need to do is run the 8ga wire from your starter soliniod (battery side) to the "BAT" post on the alt.
I got rid of all my old ford charging system (Alt, regulator, wires and all) Mine runs with no problems at all.
As far as using a one-wire with a single battery. All you need to do is run the 8ga wire from your starter soliniod (battery side) to the "BAT" post on the alt.
I got rid of all my old ford charging system (Alt, regulator, wires and all) Mine runs with no problems at all.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley CA USA
alternators
Originally posted by inliner
Thanks for the replies. The company that makes these alternators told me that they will put out 100amps at idle and about 125 at highway speeds.
Thanks for the replies. The company that makes these alternators told me that they will put out 100amps at idle and about 125 at highway speeds.
dang! what are you running that you need that much juice? my truck only pulls 22 amps with the headlights wipers heater and radio on. if you have AC you might need 5 or 10 more amps but what do you have in your truck that pulls so much you need 100 amps at idle? keep in mind that a high amp alternator does not do anything if the system does not need the power so it becomes a total waste of money. a stock 65 amp will run almost anything in a ford pickup up to and including a quality stereo. i have a stock ford 100 amp alternator on big ed because i have the trailer brakes, dual batteries, and camper wiring but the reality is i have never used anywhere near this much juice. hawkrod
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
alternators
I was planning on adding some power accessories as well as more power for the stereo. I was also thinking of installing a winch in the bed of the truck to use when pulling engines and such.
