The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 12 v. conversion one more time

i converted my 54 chev pu over to 12v last year using a one wire alternator. i changed out everything, bulbs, heater motor, coil, etc etc. two questions - even though my amp gauge (original) shows to be charging, my battery keeps running down. i have the one wire from the alternator running to the voltage regulator connected to the post marked battery. should i have changed the voltage regulator? also, i now have a new 6 v gas gauge, where do i place the voltage reducer - between the switch and the guage or does it matter? might as well make it 3 questions while i am on here - i have had to replace 3 headlights in the past year - is this common or are they getting too much juice???

Your One-wire alternator should be internally regulated, and your 6v regulator on the firewall should now be on a shelf collecting dust.

The voltage reducing resistor goes on the (+) post of the gas gauge. If it's not marked as such, it's the post behind E, and the tank sender wire connects to the post behind F.

thans for the info hedgehog. i need all the help i can get!

another dumb question. where is that wire suppose to go if it does not go to the old volt.reg.?

Direct to the ammeter, which is the distribution point for the rest of the truck's electrical system. Doublecheck your grounds at each headlight, but I'd almost be willing to bet you won't need to replace your headlights so often once you let 12V get past the alternator.

ok, if i understand what you have told me - i can disconnect anything that is connected to the old volt. reg. and remove it completely and run the wire from the alternator directly to the amp meter? . the next time i am home i will see if i can get this done. again, thanks