The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Alternator Wiring

We're re-wiring my wife's 3/4 ton for a 12V system. We've got the alternator connected to a new bracket, a runtz voltage reducer on the gas gauge, new bulbs, etc., and the heater isn't connected right now, so we're waiting on getting the reducer in on that. Got a new battery, new internally resisted ignition coil, just soldered in some new wires and new connections today... but I have a few questions because I'm finding conflicting information between wiring diagrams and what I'm reading on here. Any help with these few questions would be appreciated!

1. The wiring diagram in my book shows a ground strap from the negative battery terminal to the frame. There is no negative battery wire. In our truck, there is a negative battery wire and the ground strap is disconnected (it came that way on the 6V system). What's the correct way to wire the battery?

2. We're trying to figure out if we're going to use a DA plug or not. This thread:

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=84962

says that you can everything up without a DA plug. I can't figure out what they're talking about when it comes to the wiring however. Thus, how is the alternator wired with or without the DA plug? I'm trying to figure out if it bypasses the voltage and current regulator (and getting conflicting things online between all the various makes and models that people convert).

We're not against getting a DA plug, but if it's going to be just as much of a pain to wire it up as to simply rewire what's already here...

Thanks in advance!

Need at least 2 more pieces of info. Make and year of truck and an ID on the alternator. Different years grounded battery in different places. Some alternators use external regulators, some don't.

Ha! I tried posting and it timed out on me. The year and model were in the original subject. Sorry about that.

It's a 1955 first series 3600. The alternator is a powermaster 8002.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-8002

This alternator should have an internal regulator.

Go down to the lower right column under DA plug installation:
http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/parts/parts_counter_2.html
And here's a short video explaining the use of the DA plug:


DG

If that alternator is "one wire capable" would it need/use a separate DA plug?

I wired a lower-amperage 12v 1-wire alternator to the ammeter (diagram linked-to, below).

wiring for 1-wire alternator

Wiring used on 1954 truck with 12v system.

My one wire alternator went straight to the battery post on the starter, with heavy gauge wire. I think was 6 or 8 gauge. Just taped off all the regulator wires from old generator for now. This was a 65 amp alternator.

Thanks for the links! After reading, my wife and I have decided to go with the 3-wire system. We ordered a DA plug and are awaiting its delivery now. I'll try and draw up a wiring diagram and post it here to show you all what we eventually did.

I hope this isn't late but when i first bought my 52 3100, I changed over to 12v, put an alt in it with the DA plug. Could'nt understand why i kept torching my alts and batteries. Talked to a guy who was redoing his truck and told him what was happening, he told me to unhook the small wire on the DA plug, coil it up and let hang. The electrical system he said wasn't complicated enough to use it.

Joe