Re: [AMC-list] One wire alternator

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

To the best of my knowledge, GM never offered a one wire alternator 
stock. They all used 3 wires. A 10 gauge to the battery, a sense wire 
(this is the red one in the plug) to monitor system voltage, and a white 
exciter wire (factory harnesses may be different colors). When a stock 
alternator is wired correctly, the symptom described below is usually 
caused by bad diodes.

The only other cause given is a short between the red and white wires 
that go into the connect. If the light goes off when you unplug the 
connector, the diodes are bad for sure. I didn't mention this previously 
because the way the alternator was wired makes it extremely unlikely 
that this is the problem.

It is true that you can usually get away with a single wire with a stock 
Delco 10si alternator and that you can buy aftermarket alternators or 
kits to make it work with one wire on purpose but you have to rev the 
engine up close to 2000 RPM (maybe a few hundred RPM lower, depends on 
the alternator or kit) to get them to self-excite and start charging. 
That would never fly in the average driver's car.

To your point, if you run a one wire alternator, you really do need a 
voltmeter since you will have no other way (short of a dead battery) to 
know the alternator isn't working.

Matt

On 3/21/2011 11:26 AM, Jim Blair spouted this sage advice:
> The GM one wire should only have the main terminal hooked to the battery. Nothing else. A voltmeter will tell you if it's charging.
>
> From: Matt Haas
> To: "AMC, Rambler, Nash, Jeep and family"
> Subject: Re: [AMC-list] One wire alternator
> Message-ID:
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> The diodes in the alternator are bad. Since you modified the case, you
> voided the warranty on it. You best bet now is to buy a rebuild kit for
> it which will have the a new diode in it (it also has a voltage
> regulator and new brushes -- I'd replace it all). This is a pretty easy
> thing to fix. The only real trick is holding the brushes back when you
> re-install the case but that is actually pretty easy to do. There is a
> hole near the brushes that you can stick a stiff wire (like a paper
> clip) into to hold them back.
>
> Matt
>
> On 3/20/2011 3:45 PM, feltonjk@xxxxxxx spouted this sage advice:
> > Thanks for the advice on the one wire alternator. I bought an AC Delco, napa part no. 13-4011sw as recommended by Jim. Modified case so it fit bracket. Followed instructions on planethouston site. Battery hot wire connected, pig tail with one red wire, one white wire. Red wire connected to same connection as hot wire. White wire connected to orange wire coming off wiring harness (orange wire used on back of orig alternator. That is it. Now have alternator lite on in dash when key is off. When key is turned to on position the alternator light goes off. Have not started the car yet so don't know what will happen under load. Question is why is alternator lite on in dash when key is off?
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--
mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
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