12 Volt Alternator Wiring idea

[Cool Hand Lurker]

My 47 Coupe was already converted to 12V with a GM 10SI alternator when I bought it. The old voltage regulator was gone and the output wire from the alternator ran directly over to the solenoid. I am restoring the wire harness to stock so I decided to use the original generator-to-voltage regulator harness. I put in a fake voltage regulator that had no relays inside, just a couple of jumper wires. I ran the alternator wires to the fake voltage regulator terminals as it was originally. That kept the wiring really simple and looking original.

Here is how I did it:
I removed the three regulator relays but left the insulating spacers in place and connected the lower outside terminal bars to the inside of the housing with machine screws. Inside, I connected a #8 wire from the ALT bar screw to the BAT bar screw and a #12 wire from the ALT bar screw to the FIELD bar screw.

The wires coming from the alternator now go to the fake regulator ALT & FIELD terminals and the wire from BAT terminal goes to the battery through the original harness hookup.

[51 MERC-CT]

Good idea with excellent visuals.
Did the same thing over 20 years ago but with a 1 wire GM.
A single buss bar from A to B.
The extra space in the Reg. is used to hide a push button switch for an under-hood light.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

The extra space in the Reg. is used to hide a push button switch for an under-hood light.

Now that is an interesting add-on!

[Cool Hand Lurker]

"The extra space in the Reg. is used to hide a push button switch for an under-hood light."

Why do you need a switch for an under-the-hood light? Wire the light to be always on, even when the hood is down. You know, like in a refrigerator where the light stays on after you close the door.....

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Lurker

"The extra space in the Reg. is used to hide a push button switch for an under-hood light."

Why do you need a switch for an under-the-hood light? Wire the light to be always on, even when the hood is down. You know, like in a refrigerator where the light stays on after you close the door.....

Wonder how many actually climbed into a refrigerator to see.
The switch is mainly to shut the light off during car shows etc. as it is equipped with a mercury switch that turns it on with the hood up.

[Scotty's 52 F3]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Cool idea. Pun intended. Thanks for posting the details.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Thanks for the comments. My next project will be to fit an alternator into a stock generator housing so that will look original too. That alternator just doesn't look "FORD".

[4dFord/SC]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Lurker

Thanks for the comments. My next project will be to fit an alternator into a stock generator housing so that will look original too. That alternator just doesn't look "FORD".

Cooling might be a problem with the stock housing. I think that's why Ed Whitney uses his own housing for his conversions.

[Scotty's 52 F3]

I thought about it but, just kept the generator. The only electrical load I've added is A/C.