The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay One wire alternator?

Not quite really sure how I want to go about my electrical problems I have had in my truck, but I have been reading up on installing an alternator in my 12 volt 6 cyl. chevy. The question I have is the one wired alternator I am looking at, can I just run the wire off the alternator to the original wire that is coming from the voltage regulator Bat. terminal and will this effect my amp meter readings. I really don't want to run it straight to the battery unless this is the correct way to do it. Thank you.........

Are you converting from a generator and voltage regulator system? Or an older alternator (Delcotron) to a newer alternator? Is your new alternator a modern internally regulated alternator? Give us some info here. Going form what to what.

I converted from a generator to an 1 wire alternator and ran to the BAT wire of the voltage regulator. (took voltage regulator out of the loop). It did not affect my amp meter. It still works like a charm.

In about three nanoseconds there will be half a dozen doomsayers telling you that if you run alternator output through your ammeter there will be a conflagration rivaling the Chicago fire under your dash. Ignore them. Disconnect the "BAT" wire from the regulator and do a very good splice (preferably soldered) to the wire you're planning to use as the alternator output. An 8 gauge wire should be about the right size. Your ammeter and the rest of the elrctrical system will work exactly as it did with the generator. Disconnect and insulate the other two wires at the regulator and the other ends of them at the generator. The "armature" wire at the generator might be a little too light gauge to work well as an alternator output wire.
Jerry

Has it been three nanoseconds yet (0.0000000003s)?🤔

Yes, it's been a nanoweek. With nonocomments.
P.S. if you run your Alt thru the Ammeter, your shorts will catch fire. (shorts is a legit electrical term)

Thanks for all the help there Bolters, I have just had so much trouble with my generator voltage regulator combination. Maybe now once I purchase a one wired alternater, my problem,s will go away....

As I have just learned... there is no such thing as a one wire alternator! I went through / before I discovered this! Search and you will find out more. I added the link to my issue.

Chris

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1262485/Searchpage/2/Main/184006/Words/%2BAlternator+%2B/Search/true/re-another-bad-alternator.html#Post1262485

"As I have just learned... there is no such thing as a one wire alternator! "

????

Here is a reply I posted in that other thread.

I switched for the same reason. I kept fighting with the Generator/Voltage Regulator combination. No issues since switching to an alternator. My generator was a 12v and not OEM. I had taken it to a long time shop that rebuilds automotive electrical components (starters, alternators, generators, etc...) and he did not know what it was from. I don't know if that was my issue but I am glad I switched.

Well about all I will say is if you are using a an alternator of 50amps or lower, you can easily get by with a 10 gauge wire, you can save a few bucks.

Just to clarify. The link that was posted by ndkid and Tim has a post from me. If that is what ndkid is referring to when he says he learned there is no such thing as a one wire alternator, the post does say that there is a one wire alternator. It says the only true one wire is the alt advertised and sold as a one wire alt. It has been modified internally. All the rest are user modified in various ways, as explained. Adding just one hot wire to an SI is a one wire in name only. The diagram, posted by Tim in that post shows just one wire to hot. I don't know if the alternator he uses is a "factory" aftermarket one wire or a SI type just wired with one hot. I am pretty sure it's an actual one wire alternator. Tim knows what he is doing. Others need to investigate the issue. I did say that a true one wire "immediately starts charging".

I tried to point out in the other post that the word "one" is a misnomer in some cases. The word "one wire" can mean one wire visible anywhere on the alternator using an SI (the hot wire). It can mean one wire leaving the alternator after other jumper wires are installed. It can mean an actual one wire designed alternator. My "thesis" explains all that. There are so many wiring diagrams on the web regarding "one" wire alternators. I just recommend everyone study the issue before choosing one or the other diagram.
The diagram posted by Tim, he describes as early internet, is only to be used on a true one wire alternator in my opinion. I believe that is what he uses it for. As I said, so many diagrams, just be careful.
I know what Chris meant. It can be taken literally though.

I took it literally and found out! Thanks Bart! You said it better than me. I just don’t want anyone to learn my lesson the hard way with their kids on the side of a road or parking lot trying to get home.
Chris

I should have kept this a private message to Hotrod l....... and minimized the _ _., he told me this was going to happen. Again thanks for all your help.....