The Ford Barn

mrtexas · 11-23-2016, 07:27 PM

Got this from my friendly local rebuilder for $45 with no core. Can't believe they still sell them so cheap. Now what is the advantage of 2 wire over 1 wire alternators?

tubman · 11-23-2016, 07:37 PM

From what I hear, other than being able to be installed easier, the one-wire versions take more to get them charging, and are generally inferior to the more advanced units.

mrtexas · 11-23-2016, 07:58 PM

White wire is to the ignition. Red same as one wire.

paul2748 · 11-23-2016, 08:58 PM

The two wire ones are available almost anywhere. I heard the one wires are not

Ed Pitts · 11-23-2016, 09:18 PM

You will need to put a diode in line with the white wire. Radio Shack part # 276-1144.
The advantage to the three wire is that you can replace at any auto parts store.

JSeery · 11-23-2016, 10:20 PM

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The conventional three wire will charge at a lower rpm and is easier to get started charging at a lower rpm. There can be issues with the one wires in other areas, but I think most of the issues can be worked out. The three wire is just a better way to go IMHO, it is not that big an issue to wire.

Some reading if your interested:

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

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...re-one.380620/

fordor41 · 11-23-2016, 11:20 PM

I installed a 35A GM alternator on my '41 (w/ SBF) in about 1996. had a local auto electrical service install an internal regulator so it's single wire. about 2005 I had him check it out and he somehow upgraded it and was getting almost 100A. Charges from the git-go. Reg. available from auto parts store.

38bill · 11-23-2016, 11:59 PM

Been running a 12V one wire on my truck for the last 17 years without any problem.

Drbrown · 11-24-2016, 01:25 AM

Mac sells a 40 amp (new) US made one wire Alt, but its on back order (??). Van Phelp sells a 60 amp (new) US made one wire Alt. Both have limited warranties.

Regarding alternators .... The following is my personal experience and is not necessarily typical.

My basic engine is a stock 59AB with 12 volt system and after-market amp/voltage gauges. It has a rebuilt Delco 78 amp 12SI 3-wire Alt with life-time warranty .... at half the price of the above. It starts charging immediately and I like its sensitivity to the electrical system's operations. However like all car parts, new or rebuilt, there are risks.

I.E. .... An internal regulator on one Alt failed and burned-out my Pentronix ignition modules. Pentronix says their ignition modules tolerate only voltages within a 9v to 16v range. Some Circuit Control modules "out-there" may limit voltage extremes but are unable to correct low voltage conditions. If one has an electronic ignition be aware that they are sensitive to voltage/amperage extremes and such extremes MAY damage your ignition module.

So I had my replacement Alt pre-tested by outsiders. I also choose to abandon my (now expensive) electronic distributor and install a stock "Points" Distributor, which I understand is considered by some to be more tolerant of electrical system variations.

I had my "user" and spare Pentronix units rebuilt but they failed again due to electrical system variations, and the new Points Distributor was assembled, tested and installed. Both activities were performed by well-known and respected Forum Members.

The Alt is working properly and the Points Distributor seems to run as well as my previous electronic ignition.

G.M. · 11-24-2016, 09:46 AM

Have a generator shop install 24 volt stator in the alternator shown in
you picture. The regulator controls the voltage output and this works
on 6 or 12 volt alternators. The alternator will then charge at idle with
the small stock pulley. I had 2 done and the cost was $35.00 each they
worked great but I didn't like the looks. I built 7 6 volt alternators for
my cars and they work great. The Garmin GPS running on 6 volts no
longer shuts down at Idle. You have to reverse the polarity on the Garmin
cigar lighter plug for this to work. Here's a few pictures of the alternators
I made. I don't sell them. The voltage regulator is the square metal box
inside the rear cap. I can adjust the output by this regulator with a small
screw diver through a hole in the rear cover. G.M

V8 Bob · 11-24-2016, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrtexas

Got this from my friendly local rebuilder for $45 with no core. Can't believe they still sell them so cheap. Now what is the advantage of 2 wire over 1 wire alternators?

It's actually a 3 wire you have, where the large output on the back of the case is the 3rd. The advantage of a correctly wired 3-wire 10/12 SI is maintaining a proper 14+ voltage throughout the system, (NOT just at the back of the case) per the GM design for normal production vehicles.
I have commented on this subject often, but better to have an expert explain it, so open the link below and learn about the 10/12SI GM alternators.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech.shtml

JSeery · 11-24-2016, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordor41

I installed a 35A GM alternator on my '41 (w/ SBF) in about 1996. had a local auto electrical service install an internal regulator so it's single wire.

Not sure I understand this comment, 1-wire vs 3-wire does not have anything to do with whether it has an internal regulator. A 1-wire would have an internal regulator but so would a 3-wire if you select the correct one.

JSeery · 11-24-2016, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8 Bob

It's actually a 3 I have commented on this subject often, but better to have an expert explain it, so open the link below and learn about the 10/12SI GM alternators.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech.shtml

Believe I posted that link in #6, LOL. But it sure doesn't hurt to bring it up again.

V8 Bob · 11-24-2016, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Believe I posted that link in #6, LOL. But it sure doesn't hurt to bring it up again.

The big/main advantage is voltage sensing (#2 plug wire) when correctly wiring a 3 wire, something many do not understand. Did not mean to slight your post.

Jack E/NJ · 11-24-2016, 05:18 PM

:
Originally Posted by fordor41

I installed a 35A GM alternator on my '41 (w/ SBF) in about 1996. had a local auto electrical service install an internal regulator so it's single wire.

>>>Not sure I understand this comment, 1-wire vs 3-wire does not have anything to do with whether it has an internal regulator. A 1-wire would have an internal regulator but so would a 3-wire if you select the correct one.>>>

fordor41 may have had one of the early externally-regulated GM alternators converted to an SI. Jack E/NJ

JSeery · 11-24-2016, 11:19 PM

Jack, thanks for the clarification, guess I didn't read it close enough!

fordor41 · 11-27-2016, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

:
Originally Posted by fordor41

I installed a 35A GM alternator on my '41 (w/ SBF) in about 1996. had a local auto electrical service install an internal regulator so it's single wire.

>>>Not sure I understand this comment, 1-wire vs 3-wire does not have anything to do with whether it has an internal regulator. A 1-wire would have an internal regulator but so would a 3-wire if you select the correct one.>>>

fordor41 may have had one of the early externally-regulated GM alternators converted to an SI. Jack E/NJ

exactly.

11-23-2016, 07:27 PM	#1
mrtexas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 4,395	Alternator for 41 Got this from my friendly local rebuilder for $45 with no core. Can't believe they still sell them so cheap. Now what is the advantage of 2 wire over 1 wire alternators?

11-23-2016, 07:58 PM	#3
mrtexas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 4,395	Re: Alternator for 41 White wire is to the ignition. Red same as one wire.

11-23-2016, 08:58 PM	#4
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: Alternator for 41 The two wire ones are available almost anywhere. I heard the one wires are not __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

11-23-2016, 09:18 PM	#5
Ed Pitts Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Irving, Texas Posts: 598	Re: Alternator for 41 You will need to put a diode in line with the white wire. Radio Shack part # 276-1144. The advantage to the three wire is that you can replace at any auto parts store.

11-23-2016, 11:20 PM	#7
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,518	Re: Alternator for 41 I installed a 35A GM alternator on my '41 (w/ SBF) in about 1996. had a local auto electrical service install an internal regulator so it's single wire. about 2005 I had him check it out and he somehow upgraded it and was getting almost 100A. Charges from the git-go. Reg. available from auto parts store.

11-23-2016, 07:37 PM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: Alternator for 41 From what I hear, other than being able to be installed easier, the one-wire versions take more to get them charging, and are generally inferior to the more advanced units.

11-23-2016, 10:20 PM	#6
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Alternator for 41 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The conventional three wire will charge at a lower rpm and is easier to get started charging at a lower rpm. There can be issues with the one wires in other areas, but I think most of the issues can be worked out. The three wire is just a better way to go IMHO, it is not that big an issue to wire. Some reading if your interested: http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...hreewire.shtml http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...re-one.380620/

11-23-2016, 11:59 PM	#8
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,166	Re: Alternator for 41 Been running a 12V one wire on my truck for the last 17 years without any problem.

11-24-2016, 01:25 AM	#9
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Alternator for 41 Mac sells a 40 amp (new) US made one wire Alt, but its on back order (??). Van Phelp sells a 60 amp (new) US made one wire Alt. Both have limited warranties. Regarding alternators .... The following is my personal experience and is not necessarily typical. My basic engine is a stock 59AB with 12 volt system and after-market amp/voltage gauges. It has a rebuilt Delco 78 amp 12SI 3-wire Alt with life-time warranty .... at half the price of the above. It starts charging immediately and I like its sensitivity to the electrical system's operations. However like all car parts, new or rebuilt, there are risks. I.E. .... An internal regulator on one Alt failed and burned-out my Pentronix ignition modules. Pentronix says their ignition modules tolerate only voltages within a 9v to 16v range. Some Circuit Control modules "out-there" may limit voltage extremes but are unable to correct low voltage conditions. If one has an electronic ignition be aware that they are sensitive to voltage/amperage extremes and such extremes MAY damage your ignition module. So I had my replacement Alt pre-tested by outsiders. I also choose to abandon my (now expensive) electronic distributor and install a stock "Points" Distributor, which I understand is considered by some to be more tolerant of electrical system variations. I had my "user" and spare Pentronix units rebuilt but they failed again due to electrical system variations, and the new Points Distributor was assembled, tested and installed. Both activities were performed by well-known and respected Forum Members. The Alt is working properly and the Points Distributor seems to run as well as my previous electronic ignition. Last edited by Drbrown; 11-24-2016 at 01:47 AM.

11-24-2016, 05:18 PM	#15
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: Alternator for 41 : Originally Posted by fordor41 I installed a 35A GM alternator on my '41 (w/ SBF) in about 1996. had a local auto electrical service install an internal regulator so it's single wire. >>>Not sure I understand this comment, 1-wire vs 3-wire does not have anything to do with whether it has an internal regulator. A 1-wire would have an internal regulator but so would a 3-wire if you select the correct one.>>> fordor41 may have had one of the early externally-regulated GM alternators converted to an SI. Jack E/NJ

11-24-2016, 11:19 PM	#16
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Alternator for 41 Jack, thanks for the clarification, guess I didn't read it close enough!