Hey guys, I have a 53 Dodge that I just put a Gm alt on and I was wondering how to wire it up. It's the type with a main power terminal and two small blade terminals on the back. I'm guessing that this is the 3 wire alt that needs an external regulator????? If it does need a regulator can I use the one already on my car? It's a brand new 57 Plymouth 12volt regulator for a generator. Thanks.
Well, I suppose that I am obligated to chew on you a little about doing a search first... Yes , it has been covered here many times. But i dont do that LOL !! If the terminals look like this ( II ) then you need an external regulator. And no, your regulator will not work. If the terminals look like this ( -- ) you are good to go..Just get the replacement plug from the parts store. It has 1 large wire and one small wire. Hook the large wire to the batt. stud on the alternator and hook the small wire to a keyed on power source.. Good luck Dave
EXCELLENT RESPONSE, DAVE (I mean it this time) Some guys can take 6 pages to say the same thing. onenew32
Or if you feel like doing a regulator you can 1 wire it or even if you just wat to freshen up the 3 wire I posted a tech here recently... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=381954
if they're the same size wire, then hook the red one to the batt terminal, and the other one to the switched source. You could put a resitor/diode/idiot light in series with the switch wire if you want to get fancy, or if you have problems shutting off the engine if it has a fancy electronic ignition.
i should stay out of alternator posts , but here goes. if it is an internal regulated as dave lewis said it should be wired like this: if it is an external , let us know and me or someone else will post a wiring diagram
I just finished putting a 3 wire in my studebaker truck. The three wire is internally regulated and externally excited, the single wire needs a certain rpm to begin charging. By the way shame on you for not searching. Any way, if you hook it up like show above it will work fine, the s or 2 terminal is supposed to be used to sense voltage load remote from the battery. Hooking it up as shown will not allow maximum voltage but will certainly maintain the battery and power a normal load of lights etc. I wiere my #1 or P to the ign switch acc terminal through an indicator lamp. the ind lamp will light when the alt is not charging, and provide enough resistance to replace the diaode, the resistance keeps the alt from backfeeding the ign switch so you can shut off the engine. The #2 or S terminal I wired to the load side of the trucks 30 amp crcuit breaker. The circuit breaker is hot with ign on, and powers all the circuits in the truck but the lights. This basically feeds the "field" coils and senses the load to power the field according to that load. If it don;t work I will wire it as above.
Sorry for not searching guys....I only get on here for 5 min. at a time every once and a while and don't much time. And it gave you guys something to do!!! Hahaha. JK. Thanks for the help, I'm gonna go to the shop later this afternoon and start working on it. Looks like it is the one wire internal regulator.
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