This is not aimed at anyone, It is commentary regarding alternators. The overall post is somewhat confusing as to the goals and methods.
1. An idiot light tells you when alternator output is low or zero. That's what it tells you. That's what you want to know. It's not a low battery light.
2. There is one extra wire for a "three wire" alternator. The one extra wire runs from alternator terminal 1 to the ignition switch, with a indicator bulb inline. Makes no difference if you use an ammeter or a volt meter. There is only one more wire in the engine bay than a one wire alternator.
3. Adding a bunch of electronic gadgets that can malfunction and associated wiring, with extra resistance causing connections, is not the way to go.
4. There is absolutely NO advantage to a, so called, "one wire" alternator. It was invented for people who think they are buying something really cool or high tech... or think it's difficult to wire a "three" wire alternator.
It is simply an alternator wired like you would wire a three wire to make it a one wire, but done inside or with a cap over terminal 1 and 2. Some have a different regulator just to eliminate one lousy wire.
A one wire has less advantages, less electrical performance, than a three wire.
Note to the novice enthusiast: DO NOT use a one wire, buy a normal 10si Delco-Remy internally regulated alternator and wire it. Much Cheaper. There is no difficulty to be afraid of. Don't let the word "three wire" confuse you. There are only two wires leaving/coming to the alternator. Updating from a generator/voltage regulator to an internally regulated alternator is a good thing to do for the updater crowd.
Wiring is:
Either a battery wire or alternator load terminal wire, to alternator stud. (wire 1)
Alternator terminal 1 to bulb, thru bulb (idiot light) to ignition switch "ON" terminal. (wire 2)
Alternator terminal 2 to alternator stud. (wire/jumper 3)
BTW: Just in case;
Simply removing all wires from your alternator except the one on the stud is not proper. Why would anyone do that after it's already wired?
Last edited by bartamos; 07/10/2020 9:50 PM.
