So, I bought a alternator conversion for my 60 F100. It's supposed to be a 1 wire alternator. It's a Becker alternator that has a power post, idiot light post, and ground post. Was told I don't need the ground just the power and idiot light. My question is why do I have to use the idiot light hook up for this to work? Was told by the guys at Becker that is has to be hooked up to work.
It's not a true 'one wire' alternator.... Not knowing the internal wiring on that type, I'd say that wire is needed to disconnect the alternator when the key is off. Does it absolutely need the light, or can this be just hooked to a switched voltage source?
There was just a discussion of this over here. http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic115656.aspx Don't know if you'll find an answer to your question. But note the " rev to 2000 rpm to start charging" comments. I've had that happen with "1" wires without the idiot light hooked up. As Steve says, not the case with a true 1 wire.
I'll definitely agree that it's not a true 1 wire. Hahaha. The guy from the shop said it had to have the idiot light hooked up to function. Said it was strictly made for my y-block.
Alternators don't know what motor they're on. With the right brackets/pulley/wiring, you can use any alternator on anything. Truthfully, I don't like 'one wire' alternators. Designed for industrial/farm applications to basically just charge the battery and where the total electrical load is probably just the ignition system, not even GM installed them on any cars/trucks. The three-wire units are better, sensing voltage remotely from the battery and ensuring full voltage to the system. The full story here: http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml
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