I have a big block chevy with an externally regulated alternator. I want upgrade to a one wire alternator. I saw a YouTube video showing that you put a jumper wire on the pig side of regulator. They show 1 jumped to 4. And tw0 jumped to 3. Is this correct. I am trying to do simple as possible.Its better to ask questions before I jump Inyo it. thank you Jerry
for a one wire alternator, you need to put a SE self exciting regulator inside in place of the one you have. I use many ol one wire alternators on many ol cars and tractors
Might want to make sure what alternator you have, and what one you want. If you really want a 1 wire alternator, you remove the wires that went to the voltage regulator, and don't use them at all. Just connect the big stud on the new alternator, to the wire that was connected to the big stud on the alternator you removed.
I’ve used em. Never an issue. Is it an upgrade? Heck I don’t know. It does its job. We used em to clean up a little wiring.
The cut off year here is 1965. It used to be 1964, but Ryan loves '65 Rivieras, so 1965 got in. Big Block Chevs were made available that year, so the Rats can roam freely here.
My alternator works just fine. I’m rehabilitating my shoulder. Just asking questions and waiting way to much YouTube Thanks Jerry
I did a 10SI (pretty sure it was a 10, but been many years ago) and found the info on madelectical.com. I put a bulb in the circuit, started the truck and bulb would light up. Let it warm up a bit and blip the throttle, light would go off and the ammeter would indicate a charge. Once the alternator was excited, all was good.
I have a 100 amp alternator out of a police car (GM Delco) Converted it with internal regulator. Damned thing wouldn't 'excite' until 2500 RPM was hit, hot OR cold engine. Installed an I.H. starter*****on under dash for an 'exciter'. Now just a momentary touch of the*****on, instant charge.
No REASON to go one wire unless you are***** about wires showing. A regular 10 or 12 SI wired like 19Eddy30 showed in post 4 will work better anyhow. One wire alternators were designed for farm tractors and diesel equipment without ignition systems originally. That was long before streetrodders figured out that that meant two less wires to hide.
You can get a regular 10/12si alternator easier at the parts store than the 1 wire. At the parts counter you need to give a part number or know the equipment that had a one wire. And the ones I used had to be ordered. Not stocked at the regular chain parts store. NAPA might be an exception. Just something to consider if you worry about mechanical issues on trips.
I didn’t mean to imply warming up the engine helped exciting the alternator, I just never liked blipping the throttle on a cold motor. I didn’t use a resistor in line with the light, (no tach) but maybe 1000 RPMs or so was enough to excite it. I found out later a bulb with more resistance, or putting a resistor in series with the bulb may have cured it. But the truck went to Sweden before I tested the theory out
One of the beautiful things about this forum is the hard line on the rules, The engine in my Ranch wagon won't ever get a look in here as it's off topic for this forum. No stress, if it upset me stuff, I'd just need to find somewhere else that might like it .... Or do An engine change. Haha
Been running a one wire alternator on my big block for 50 thousand miles now. One battery for the car and two more for the hydraulics.
The pig tail to the regulator is unplugged. One wire on the pig tail to the alternator goes to the stud on the back side so the battery will charge.
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