1 wire vs 3 wire alternator

[willowbilly3]

With the success and satisfaction so hit or miss on the one wire Delco for decades, I don;t know why anyone wouldn't keep their Ford all Ford with the far superior 3G charging system.

[Jack E/NJ]

The standard 3-wire GM SI-series or clones can be run as 1-wire, 2-wire or 3-wire setups.

For a 1-wire, run a pigtail wire from the #2 sensor terminal directly to the battery output terminal. The #1 exciter terminal is left open. Without the exciter terminal connected, you sometimes must rev the engine a bit to get it to start charging from residual magnetism in the alternator.

For a 2-wire setup, again run a pigtail from #2 to the battery output terminal. The #1 terminal is then connected to the ignition switch thru a ~1 amp bulb and/or 10-ohm resistor. Run-on shouldn't be an issue with the bulb or resistor.

For a 3-wire setup, run a wire from #2 to some remote circuit location to sense voltage at that point. The #1 terminal is connected like the 2-wire setup. The 3-wire is probably the best setup to keep battery properly charged.

Jack E/NJ

[big deuce]

Anyone use this guy??http://www.gener-nator.com/index.htm

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by big deuce

Anyone use this guy??http://www.gener-nator.com/index.htm

I didn't see any prices, there are other supplies of alternators built to look like generators as well. Whitney is one.

Whitney Co., Inc., E. J. 529 S. Raymond Ave., Fullerton, Ca 714-773-1611

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

The standard 3-wire GM SI-series or clones can be run as 1-wire, 2-wire or 3-wire setups.

For a 1-wire, run a pigtail wire from the #2 sensor terminal directly to the battery output terminal. The #1 exciter terminal is left open. Without the exciter terminal connected, you sometimes must rev the engine a bit to get it to start charging from residual magnetism in the alternator.

For a 2-wire setup, again run a pigtail from #2 to the battery output terminal. The #1 terminal is then connected to the ignition switch thru a ~1 amp bulb and/or 10-ohm resistor. Run-on shouldn't be an issue with the bulb or resistor.

For a 3-wire setup, run a wire from #2 to some remote circuit location to sense voltage at that point. The #1 terminal is connected like the 2-wire setup. The 3-wire is probably the best setup to keep battery properly charged.

Jack E/NJ

As Jack posted it is easy to wire up an alternator as three wire (or 2 or 1 for that matter). This should be a total non-issue. Off the shelf alternators are the best way to go, easy to replace anywhere if there is a problem down the road.

[flatheadmurre]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

And he doesnt say what you get...just repeating its not an alternator cut down to fit...
Its an alternator or parts made to fit the case whatever he says..lol

[koates]

Hi there, All the above discussion is about TWELVE VOLT alternators. Any one who knows for a fact (NOT JUST GUESSING) information on 6 volt Delco 10si alternators. From my experience there is only a single wire unit available (not 2 or 3 wire) which is governed by the design of the 6 volt inbuilt regulator which will work for both Negative & Positive ground. The inbuilt diode pack has to be a Negative or Positive ground unit to suit the vehicle battery polarity ground connection. The alternator stator winding and rotor are the same for both 6 & 12 volt applications. These 6 volt alternators require a small pulley and some engine revs to start them charging. Will a 24 volt rated stator winding improve this situation in a 6 VOLT alternator. Factual comments please and not just guesses. Thanks, regards, Kevin.

[flatheadmurre]

You should have the 2 terminals available on the side of alternator.
One of them should be able to excite the unit.
That should be the Nr 1. terminal.
On a positive unit that means closing a circuit between case and nr 1 terminal.
NOT BATTERY POST !!!!!

[flatheadmurre]

Self excite will gain from having a higher voltage stator since it takes less residual magnetism to produce a certain voltage to wake the unit up.
If its been sitting to long and lost most magnetism you still need to excite it by hooking up current to it.
Low rev charging gains from more poles on the rotor.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by koates

Hi there, All the above discussion is about TWELVE VOLT alternators.

Not totally true, the custom built alternators can be 6v or 12v. LOL Never messed with 6v alternators other than the custom built ones, so I don't know anything about them.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by willowbilly3

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

I have used this alternator a couple of times, I like the setup myself.