Re: One Wire Alternators.....

Posted by Jon Hagen on November 24, 2006 at 08:27:00 from (69.26.29.209):

In Reply to: Re: One Wire Alternators..... posted by Greg_Ky on November 24, 2006 at 07:00:12:

I use many 1 wire and 3 wire Delco alternators depending on the application, I build them myself from junkyard cores. The one wire conversion of a Delco alternator is simple and clean to wire IF the machine has a factory ammeter or voltmeter to indicate if the alternator is working. One rule is to not buy more 1 wire alternator than you need,the smaller the amp output,the lower the "kickin" rpm. A 37 amp 1 wire alternator will energize at less than 1/2 the rpm of a 72 amp 1 wire unit. Most machines that only need power for lights and ignition will do just fine with a 37 amp alternator.
If the machine has only a "gen" light to indicate charge,them you are better off using the 3 wire delco alternator. The 3 wire Delco alternator will make the factory gen light work as intended,plus the wiring for the #1 exciter terminal is already present in the stock wiring harness,that with the fact that it excites at fast idle.

I buy aftermarket 1 wire and 3 wire regulators by the box of 12 and build whatever fits the application. I have never found any indication that any parts are different between a 1 and 3 wire alternator except for the regulator. The instructions that came with a box of 1 wire regulators stated that if you have a situation where the "kick in" rpm is too high with your 1 wire alternator,you need only add a the #1 excite wire to your 1 wire alternator to make it operate as a stock 3 wire alternator. The only difference being that you still do not need the #2 sense wire,as the 1 wire regulator senses system voltage internally through the diode trio.

There is a Factory stock Delco 1 wire kit designed for the 27 SI Delco alternators that fits the little 10-12SI units without modification. They consist of a special regulator and a regulator plug with a little red cap that can be inserted in 4 different positions for 4 different chargeing voltages,which seems to be of little value. I seldom use them ,as they are 5 times the cost of an aftermarket 1 wire regulator,and will slowly discharge your battery because they are constantly connected to the live battery stud. The aftermarket 1 wire regulators do not have any connection to battery power and will not drain your battery any more than a standard 3 wire alternator.

Replies:

• Thanks Jon. Old Pokey 12:15:20 11/24/06 (4)
  • Re: Thanks Jon. BarryfromIA 15:49:55 11/24/06 (3)
    • Re: Thanks Jon. iowa_tire_guy 19:36:58 11/24/06 (2)
      • Re: Thanks Jon. midlam 00:04:59 11/25/06 (1)
        • Re: Thanks Jon. Jon Hagen 16:05:43 11/25/06 (0)

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