Most rebuilt alternators are designed to work with an idiot light only, and will not work without either a light bulb, or a resistor simulating a light bulb. I learned this the hard way many years ago. It can drive you crazy. I'm not suggesting that was your problem. I'm just posting it in hope that it might help someone later down the road.
Mike, a little misleading there. When an alternator is "rebuilt", like say a 10si Delco, it is rebuilt to be a 10si Delco. Which will operate on an indicator or an ammeter/voltmeter or neither. 10si alternators were available with different outputs at idle and different max outputs. (12si,15si, 27si) But basically the same alternator. Some case size differences. At first they called the 10si a Delcotron Generator.
10si does not need a light or resistor to operate. An idicator light is very nice to have. Neither the light nor a resistor in the "key on" wire is for "kick starting" the alternator.
Speaking solely about three wire 10si install.
