The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Whats the right alternator?

My 49' 3100 AD is just about ready for its first lap of the neighborhood. It was a basket case with no gen or alt. I found 12 volt bulbs everywhere, and it fired right up and ran on a 12 volt battery. The voltage reg was disconnected. So........I'm assuming here that it had an alternator. Is the Delco 7127 one wire 10SI 63 amp the right choice? Any feedback would be great. Thx.

If you have enough accessories that you need a 63 amp alternator I'd recommend you get one with the sensing wire still functional. If you don't have a lot of accessories you don't need that many amps and a one wire should be sufficient.

That is my opinion and you'll find many on this subject.

Thanks cletis, I wont be running a thumping stereo, flat screen or blur ray. Just a basic 2 speaker radio, upgrading to led lights and need a place to plug in a phone and gps. If there are additional things to do while I'm at this please feel free to jump in here anyone.

from what you stated, a one wire should be fine. That is all I ran on my 59 Suburban, and that had 4 headlights instead of 2, no LED lights, and I had halogen driving lights and a thumping stereo in it (also towed a trailer with lots of lights from time to time), I never had an issue with not enough alternator.

Thx Mike- I might do a small trailer once and awhile, so thanks for reminding me to find a trailer hitch plug.

I just put a 7-way on my 58. I get all my 12v wiring stuff from http://delcity.net/ They have good prices on wiring, ends, trailer plugs, etc.

69cuda, Very cool site with great prices. Thx. Marko

63 Amps might be too much for the Amp meter? If you plan to run the truck mostly stock, then 35 Amps should be all you need. It will run the lights, even a trailer, and a radio, and still charge the battery. It is the same rating as the Generator so no issue with the Amp meter. Someone here will know if 63 Amps is too much for the meter. You could put a shunt across it, but that tends to mess with the function. Any one here know if the meter will be OK at 63 Amps?

I put a 105 amp, single wire in my '54 and it worked great. Easy to wire and install.

I can guarantee you a 105 amp is not "the right alternator" for most of our old trucks.

54John3100,

Did you run the output through the 1954 amp gauge?