Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | |
13 members (68ironhead, Ol'55, 3B, Shardean, Cheapskate1229, panic, Otto Skorzeny, baldeagle, JW51, Jamesrsimone, Joe H, Johnny Rib, 1 invisible),
92
guests, and
2
robots. | | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,039 Posts1,055,473 Members48,424 | | 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!
| | 
#92280 07/07/2005 8:24 PM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 70 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 70 | I have a smallblock with a 'one wire' alternator in my 52 Chevy 3100. The alternator usually does not start charging until I race the engine, then it charges normally and heeps up with the headlights, engine cooling fan, and etc. until I shut off the engine.
Maybe a bad regulator? Anyone have any ideas of how to check out the system?
Thanks for any replies.
Ted
illegitimi non carborundum
| | |
#92281 07/07/2005 10:20 PM | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,029 | This can happen when there is a supposed to be a connection from the alternator to an idiot light and the idiot light is burned out or disconnected. You probably have to rev to around 2000 before it starts charging in this case.
Baldy | | |
#92282 07/07/2005 10:49 PM | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | I think that is typical of the one wire alt. Thats why they are not recomended.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | |
#92283 07/08/2005 1:32 AM | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | 52 Ted,
One-wire alternators have the charging characteristics that you describe. Mine kicks in at 750-850 rpm and then charges at all rpm. I have had no problems with it for 7 years.
Tim | | |
#92284 07/08/2005 6:33 AM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 | You might want to check out madelectrical.com;they have all the info you'll need to make your charging system work properly. I used theor info to wire my trucks alternator in,and it works beautifully.
James | | |
#92285 07/09/2005 12:17 AM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 1,271 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2003 Posts: 1,271 | I agree ... MadElectrical rules the roost when it comes to doing things right, electrically. Get yourself a Delco 12si alternator (3-wire) ... make sure it has the Delco regulator in it -- that sends less voltage to your battery when it's hot and lengthens the life of everything, including your battery! I have a bunch of notes about all this at my site, too ... Start here
~~ Alan Horvath 1954 Chevy PickupSinging his praises in thePassing Lane | | |
#92286 07/09/2005 3:25 PM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 70 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 70 | Wow! Thanks everyone for their responses. I will check out the Mad Electric Site and try their fix. I am happy to learn that my alternator is acting 'normally' but just a pain in the a--.
Ted
illegitimi non carborundum
| | |
#92287 07/11/2005 6:32 PM | | Anonymous Unregistered | | Anonymous Unregistered | Why is it such a pain? I've been running a one wire alternator in my '37 pickup for years. A quick goose of the throttle after starting the engine starts it charging. After that it charges at all rpm's. Not a pain at all compared to changing everything all around again. | | |
|
|
