| |
Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for MORE wrenching? 
Plenty of places to share. | | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,018 Posts1,055,259 Members48,417 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 6 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 6 | Hey Bolters, I'm in the process of switching from 6v to 12v on our 53 3600 Chevy. I've got the AC Delco alternator in but need to know if the red or white wire on the pigtail goes to the field (F) wire that was hooked up to the original generator. I have a pic to send to your email if that would help. Thanks in advance, Dave (dad) and Aidan (10 year old son) Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado [email protected] | | | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 43 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 43 | Look up electrical in the tech tips and you will find help. Good luck. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | There were several AC Delco alternators. You need to ID what you have before you figure out how to wire it. Does it use an external regulator? You don't want anything going to the generator regulator. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 | The red wire can go to the battery terminal on the back of the alternator or to the + side of the batter. Can also go to the main terminal on the starter cable.
So long as it also has 12 Volts to it all the time.
The white wire needs to come of the acc side of the ignition switch if it has one. If not then it will need a diode in the line so that when you turn the switch off the engine will stop.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 725 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 725 | You will have to first find a way to mount your new alternator. Determine if you have an older external regulator unit or the newer internal regulator type of alternator. If you have the latter type, this link should help. http://s1109.photobucket.com/albums...uff/?action=view¤t=alt158a.jpgBest wishes, Les | | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 171 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 171 | Depends on what "guts" are in the alternator. Look around at this Site ....has a bunch of good info. If you put a diode in make sure it is going in the right direction.
....David
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 17 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 17 | I'm in the process of doing the same thing, if you haven't bought the wiring harness already you can get one from American Classic Trucks or Fifth Avenue antique parts, they sell them with the Diode already made up. one wire connects to the out put post on the back of the alternator the other goes to the Ignition side of the coil. Don't worry it's pretty simple. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 268 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 268 | Best bet is use a single wire alternator.
That way you only have one red hot lead to deal with.
Single wire goes to the "- (neg)" side of amp meter.
Last edited by GMCPic; 08/13/2012 1:42 AM.
Dance like no one is watching, Sing like no one is listening, Love like you've never been hurt.
1948 GMC FC101 1/2t Pickup w/270 and SM420 1948 GMC FC253 1t Factory 80"x9' Flatbed Dually 1948 Chevy COE 2 Ton 8'x15' Flatbed 1950 GMC 354-24 2 Ton 8'X12' Flatbed w/Dump Hoist 1953 GMC 454-30 3 Ton 8'x14' Flatbed w/Dump Hoist 1953 GMC 454-30 3 Ton Cab and Chassis 1942 Clarkator 6 MILL-44 Heavy Aircraft Tug 1942 Ford (9N) Moto Tug with 1/2 yard Loader 1947 Oliver OC3 HG-42 Tract-Crawler Bull Dozier w/6' Blade
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 | I know lots of folks use the one wire, but it really doesn't take much to properly wire the alternator so it properly senses the voltage in the system.
One wires are okay for tractors. Though I always wire up a three wire alternator on tractors too.
Even the newer alternators are not hard to wire properly. | | |
| |
| |