1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

I am definitely going to use a 12v alternator on my truck. I would like to know if a 3 wire system is worth the effort or will a 1 wire system be adequate.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...hreewire.shtml Pete

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

Connecting the alternator the way it was designed to be is always better.
Do a little research and decide for yourself. One wire installation is easier, just not the best. Check out the link below from Mark Hamilton's Madd enterprises, discussing the popular GM 10/12 SI.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...hreewire.shtml

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

Have a generator shop install a 24 volt stator or stator I don't
remember which. I had this done to two GM alternators and they
charge at idle. I cost $35.00 each. G.M.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

I would go with the 3 wire Alt. Think of it this way, if you are out po dunk USA you can always find a 3 wire Alt but try and find a 1 wire.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

Go with the 3 wire, not hard to wire at all.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

I like the one wire setup on a 10si.

Bruce

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

You may want to figure out how much power you need to help with the decision. I have used a one wire on my truck for the past 15 years without trouble and the original (cheap) battery lasted for most of that. I have never had a charging issue or a low battery. That said my truck doesn't have much for electrical draw, just lights, fuel pump, ignition and a back up electric fan that is rarely used.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

From my experience, 1 wire doesn't charge until you rev the engine over a certain rpm (initially). After mine failed, the rebuilder suggested going back to 3 wire which I did. Charges right from the start.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

There are a lot of people who claim no issues with a 1-wire, but I'm not sure I understand the reason to even attempt to use one. The only difference in connection them up is a little bit of wire. It seems much easier to just connect up a 3-wire. If you really want a 1-wire they can be made to work if you get everything correct.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

I always use the 3 wire. They start charging the minute the motor fires up. I had a one wire on a '41 flathead and consistently had to rev up the motor to get the alternator to start charging. The wiring for the 3 wire is very easy.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

Yes it's very easy to wire a 3 wire if I remember right. 1 wire hot all the time, 1 hot when Sw is on and one to the battery.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

I'll never use another pos GM alternator after switching to the 3G Ford. It does take 2 wires, one to charge and one hot with key on. I get them for 10 bucks at the wrecking yard. And they will charge 90% of rated output at idle. Regulator and brushes come out the back without disassembly.

Not expensive.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-3G-IR-I...ZUl5mf&vxp=mtr

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

With a one wire you need to rev it up to excite it to start charging and at low rews you dont get full magnetic field.
2 wire take care of all that but you dont have the remote sensing.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

.

I made the mistake of buying a (supposed) high output 1 wire mostly based on the fact that it was nicely chromed and would look great with all the other goodies.

Unfortunately, The chinese chrome lasted less than a month before peeling and a few months later the alternator refused to charge.
It seemed to run suspiciously hot right out of the box?

I should have known better in regards to offshore chrome but I really expected more from the 'alt' part of the alternator.

Now it sits back in the box it came in on the shelf in a dryish type spot in the garage so that the rest of the unpeeled chrome doesn't get overly damp.
Why? I do not know.


Honestly, in 45 years and with many many old Ford's I'd have to think pretty hard as to whether I have ever replaced more than 1 or 2 factory alternators and I know for a fact that the replacements came from the local pic'n-pull during one of their 'all you can carry' $9.95 long weekends.

And as far as generators go, I have always just serviced and cleaned what was there. ...Brushes $5, End plate bushing, $5, home made scraper carved from old hack saw blade 0, can of flat black spray paint $4, couple drops of oil every 500 miles and a little elbow grease always free.


For what it's worth, I cannot recommend thi$ brand....


http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attach...1&d=1451035220
:(



.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

Willowbilly, Can this alternator be converted to a v belt pulley?

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

from what i understand you will need a diode in the circuit. I have diode value and info for one from Radio Shack. I can also draw up a simple diagram if you need, I plan to do a three wire on my project. Ken

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

My non-concourse '47 uses a 12v 3-wire Delco 10SI 55 amp. Charges at an idle.

I prefer to over-size the alternator's output wire and use a #8 wire to the battery terminal on the starter solenoid. In my case I have a 4-wire electric system Master Switch (photo attached) which, when I shut-down the system, also disconnects the Alternator so it can't back-feed the system and possibly allow the engine to keep running.

The alternator's #16 sensor wire also goes to battery side of solenoid where it best-senses the state of battery and draw upon the battery.

The other light gauge wire is called the field wire. It "excites" the alternator to make it start charging the system. It goes to the ignition switch but you must incorporate either in it the old fashioned dash "glow" light or a 10 watt - 10 ohm resister (i.e. Radio Shack).

Alternators are available in larger output sizes but my 55 amp is plenty for my system, which includes an OD, heater, fog lights and radio. Each time a device is turned on the alternator immediately increases its output to match the need.

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

Yup. On my rpu, I just found one off an older Ford 1G. I think I had to put a thin spacer behind this pulley so it didn't rub the case. I used a machined (not stamped) double pulley. It is also recommended that you use a 175 amp mega fuse in the charge wire.
Here's a pretty simple diagram. The basic small frame 3G is rated at 95 amps and can do most of that at idle. If you need more, the 130 amp is about the same size as the standard Delco.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...3-G%20Alt.jpeg

Re: 1 wire vs 3 wire alternator
 

I installed a 1 wire/ 35 A with no problems(except reving to start to charge). After a few years I had a local auto electrical shop check it out and they reworked it so it charges at idle and put out almost 100A. Has been 18 yrs on same alternator.