The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 12 Volt Gen/Alt conversion

Hi, I recently inherited a 54 Belair which had undergone a 12volt conversion years ago. It is still running a generator (looks like the original). I want to swap it out for a typical single wire alternator, anyone have a wiring diagram of how to do that? Thanks,

-Electrically wound up- -the ouija-

Unless your generator is bad, or you want to run a highpower stereo, just leave it.

To do the swap. I'd use a 2 wire alternator, they're $30 at any parts house.

You need to get a DA plug, go to NAPA and ask for one, or call Patrick and pay $20 for one. You also need an alternator mounting kit, $50 from Patrick, or you can use some 3/8" all thread and about 6 nuts to make a mount out of your generator mount.

1. Unhook the battery.

2. Remove the F wire from the generator and fold it back onto the wiring harness. Remove the F wire from the voltage regulator and fold it back onto the wiring harness.

3. Connect the 2 wires left on the voltage regulator to each other using a nut and bolt and make sure they are insulated with electrical tape or some other wrap. You can splice them together, but then it will be harder to return it to original.

4. Remove the voltage regulator from the firewall.

5. Remove the Generator and the lower generator bracket from the motor. This is where you use the alternator bracket you bought, of fiddle with your generator bracket to make it work, for about $5. Put the alternator onto the engine block.

6. Plug the DA connector into the alternator.

7. Disconnect the wire from the A post on the Generator and connect it to the BAT post on the alternator along with the red DA plug wire.

8. Run the white or yellow DA plug back through the firewall to the ignition switch and hook it up to the IGN post.

9. Use black electrical tape or harness wrap to wrap the harness where the ugly white or yellow wire runs through the fire wall and cover up the F wire from the generator.

10 Connect the battery and you are done. Start up the car and smile.

Chris

[ 01-17-2002: Message edited by: inverse121 ]

Thanks, I will give that a go however...I have a single wire alternator because I am planning on running a pretty good stereo and electric wipers... How much fiddling with the instructions below on installation take to work with the single wire (Internal Regulator), please excuse my grayness here, thanks

-Charging up to go- -ouija of the web-

Actually, if you plan on running a decent stereo and wipers, you are better off with a 2 wire alternator as they usually have higher output at idle. A one wire usual doesn't come on until 1500 rpm or so. Sitting in traffic with wipers and a stereo on may cause a strain. I find that most of my sitting in traffic happens on rainy days

Chris

Using a two wire is your best bet by far, especially for the strong output at idle and low rpms. And just so you know....A DA plug is different that the alt wiring plug you by at napa. The auto parts store wiring harness does not have the diode built in which is what makes you truck still be able to shut on and off with the key. Without the diode your truck will not shut off. The other alternative is to by the napa plug and change out the ignition switch, to a more modern accessory type switch, which usually doesn't fit as well as the original. That is why I build the DA Plugs...to save you some time and heartache. The more time I save you is more time you can go crusing in your truck !! --Randy :p :p :p