One wire alternators... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AllenKarber · 05-18-2008, 11:51 PM

How many of you have converted to a one-wire alternator?? If you did,what kind of alternator are you running?

Is anyone using this adaptor from M&H:

http://www.wiringharness.com/images/parts/27555.jpg

I've thought about doing this conversion for years,but I never have. Now that I might finally be driving my truck again,I think I might upgrade.

scotts62 · 05-19-2008, 12:11 AM

I bought one from summit racing, the chrome fancy ones that you have to polish all the time

**TR65** · 05-19-2008, 04:09 AM

Allen,

I used that one or one just like it. Worked like a champ. Plug and play.

I upgraded the wire size from alternator to junction block to battery.

I used the GM 12SI alternator from a later model (good, cheap internally regulated alternator).

The one wire alternators regulate the voltage at the alternator junction. The multi-wires sense and regulate the voltage at the junction block, where you want it regulated. The kit you showed keeps the sensing wire I think.

TR

poorboy · 05-19-2008, 04:03 AM

That kit does not convert it to one wire but to a internal regulated alt. With the one wire just run a wire from the back of the alt to the batt and you're done. Here's a pic of mine.

AllenKarber · 05-19-2008, 10:15 AM

Thanks guys!

I don't know which route I'll go,but I'm definitely going to upgrade sometime!

billydonn · 05-19-2008, 04:49 PM

read this before you buy a one-wire alternator

http://madelectrical.com/electricalt...hreewire.shtml

http://madelectrical.com/electricalt...esensing.shtml

1966-Suburban-V-8 · 05-19-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billydonn

read this before you buy a one-wire alternator

http://madelectrical.com/electricalt...hreewire.shtml

http://madelectrical.com/electricalt...esensing.shtml

Very well written and informative article on charging performance. Thanks for sharing that. Worth a Bookmark!

Dan

62gmc910 · 01-24-2010, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billydonn

read this before you buy a one-wire alternator

http://madelectrical.com/electricalt...hreewire.shtml

http://madelectrical.com/electricalt...esensing.shtml

Please post this on FAC thread

billydonn · 05-19-2008, 10:59 PM

Thanks, the other tech articles at MAD are very good too. I wired my engine using the "new system" Mark describes and have had zero problems.

Tim64 · 05-20-2008, 01:33 PM

I have a black one from Summit didn't want chrome. Works great.

AllenKarber · 05-20-2008, 07:16 PM

I remember talking to the guy at MAD when I converted to HEI on my truck. The dude definitely knows his stuff.

Shorty Cox · 05-22-2008, 03:36 PM

I started doing the following back in 1972. At the time, I owned a 1972 Datsun. It had a after market AC unit. Don't know what the problem, but it would burn out the alternator twice per year. At the time, Datsun alternators were very expensive. (And I had no money) An old machanic told me to convert to a cheap AC Delco. From that time until today, when I have alternator problems. I just get an older three wire alternator (cheap)and do the following. I've put this on before.

1.Take the regulator off and throw it as far as you can.
2. It should have had 4 wires connected to it.
3. Using a test light, locate the wire that is hot (12 volts)when the ignition switch is in the "run" position.
4. now, locate the wire that runs from the regulator position to the gen/alt position.
5. splice the wire located in number 3 above to the one located in number 4.
6. now you have a wire at the gen/alt location that is hot (12volts)with the key in the "run" position.
7. forget the other two wires at the regulator position.
8. Now remove the gen/alt and throw it as far as you can(probably can't throw it as far as you did the regulator!!)
9. Should be three wires going to the it. two small wires and one large wire. The large wire is connected to the battery and is hot (12 volts) all the time. (On some vehicles, it may connect to the battery via the horn relay)
10. Go to the parts house and purchase an alternator with an internal regulator and a new "pig tail" (the little thing that plugs onto the two terminals on the side and near the back of the alternator) they are numbered 1 & 2. the pig tail will have a small white wire and a large red wire. The new alternator will also have a large terminal(electrical connection) on the back. It will look like a screw sticking out with a nut on it.
11. Do what it takes to bolt the new alternator into the place of the gen/alt you removed and threw in step 8.
12. Once installed, plug the pig tail onto the terminals mentioned in step 10. attach the large wire from the battery (mentioned in step 9) and the red wire on the pig tail (mentioned in step 10) to the large terminal on the back of the alternator, tighten the nut.
13. Now attach the white wire on the pigtail to the wire identified in steps 4, 5, & 6.
14. Secure all left over wires.
15. Crank her up and you are good to go.

Amp meter should work also. If you have a idot light, i'm not sure.

Shorty

**ChiefRocka** · 05-22-2008, 04:47 PM

That is a very good article, very informative.

However, I too ran a PowerMaster 100 amp 'one-wire" on the Chief, and on my FORD powered, MSD ignited Jet-Boat (for years) with no problems.

I am running an HEI and relay operated headlights on the truck....and they are bright as can be.

Granted my boat just has the MSD to run...but its are 14.5 volts at all times.

On the truck, I ran a hidden heavy guage wire from the alternator to the starter, and it charges like a champ.

Besides that, I ran another heavy guage wire from the battery to my fuse panels.

For you stereo guys, keep in mind when your amplification power supplys are ran to your battery, so a one-wire WILL work great in that application.

I think a properly wired 'one-wire' system will work perfection.

Malibudraft · 01-23-2010, 04:36 PM

How do I know what kind of alternator I have? I just bought a 1971 GMC w/ a 355 motor. The boy I bought it from rigged everything. When I was driving home, I had the lights and fan on and slowly the truck shut down. I'm assuming it is the alternator but don't know where to start.

**Captainfab** · 01-24-2010, 01:14 AM

Well what I'd do is charget the battery up and get it started again. Then once it's running check the alternator with a volt meter and see if it is puting out between 13.8 and 14.2 volts. If you don't have a volt meter, see if any of your local auto parts stores offer alternator testing. Some can do it on the vehicle, others do it with the alternator off of the vehicle. If the alternator is the original style for that truck, it will have an external voltage regulator, in which case that could be the culprit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malibudraft

How do I know what kind of alternator I have? I just bought a 1971 GMC w/ a 355 motor. The boy I bought it from rigged everything. When I was driving home, I had the lights and fan on and slowly the truck shut down. I'm assuming it is the alternator but don't know where to start.

05-18-2008, 11:51 PM	#1
AllenKarber Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arkadelphia,Arkansas Posts: 199	One wire alternators... How many of you have converted to a one-wire alternator?? If you did,what kind of alternator are you running? Is anyone using this adaptor from M&H: http://www.wiringharness.com/images/parts/27555.jpg I've thought about doing this conversion for years,but I never have. Now that I might finally be driving my truck again,I think I might upgrade.

05-19-2008, 12:11 AM	#2
scotts62 One day... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tuttle, Ok Posts: 9,240	Re: One wire alternators... I bought one from summit racing, the chrome fancy ones that you have to polish all the time __________________ Scott 93 crew cab build Project 62

05-19-2008, 04:09 AM	#3
TR65 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 873	Re: One wire alternators... Allen, I used that one or one just like it. Worked like a champ. Plug and play. I upgraded the wire size from alternator to junction block to battery. I used the GM 12SI alternator from a later model (good, cheap internally regulated alternator). The one wire alternators regulate the voltage at the alternator junction. The multi-wires sense and regulate the voltage at the junction block, where you want it regulated. The kit you showed keeps the sensing wire I think. TR __________________ 1965 C10 SWB Fleet Two owner LS2 Swap Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=413880

05-19-2008, 04:03 AM	#4
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: One wire alternators... That kit does not convert it to one wire but to a internal regulated alt. With the one wire just run a wire from the back of the alt to the batt and you're done. Here's a pic of mine. __________________ 63 short fleet Patina build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=287751 Man I want another one.

05-19-2008, 10:15 AM	#5
AllenKarber Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arkadelphia,Arkansas Posts: 199	Re: One wire alternators... Thanks guys! I don't know which route I'll go,but I'm definitely going to upgrade sometime!

05-19-2008, 04:49 PM	#6
billydonn Council of the Elders Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 212	Re: One wire alternators... read this before you buy a one-wire alternator http://madelectrical.com/electricalt...hreewire.shtml http://madelectrical.com/electricalt...esensing.shtml __________________ 66 C-10 Stepside 350 Tuned Port Injection Tremec TKO-600 Truck Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/user/billydonn Truck Video: http://good-times.webshots.com/video...ost=good-times

05-19-2008, 10:59 PM	#9
billydonn Council of the Elders Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 212	Re: One wire alternators... Thanks, the other tech articles at MAD are very good too. I wired my engine using the "new system" Mark describes and have had zero problems. __________________ 66 C-10 Stepside 350 Tuned Port Injection Tremec TKO-600 Truck Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/user/billydonn Truck Video: http://good-times.webshots.com/video...ost=good-times

05-20-2008, 01:33 PM	#10
Tim64 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Vandalia, Ohio Posts: 396	Re: One wire alternators... I have a black one from Summit didn't want chrome. Works great.

05-20-2008, 07:16 PM	#11
AllenKarber Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arkadelphia,Arkansas Posts: 199	Re: One wire alternators... I remember talking to the guy at MAD when I converted to HEI on my truck. The dude definitely knows his stuff.

05-22-2008, 03:36 PM	#12
Shorty Cox Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Liberal, Ks, Us Posts: 1,091	Re: One wire alternators... I started doing the following back in 1972. At the time, I owned a 1972 Datsun. It had a after market AC unit. Don't know what the problem, but it would burn out the alternator twice per year. At the time, Datsun alternators were very expensive. (And I had no money) An old machanic told me to convert to a cheap AC Delco. From that time until today, when I have alternator problems. I just get an older three wire alternator (cheap)and do the following. I've put this on before. 1.Take the regulator off and throw it as far as you can. 2. It should have had 4 wires connected to it. 3. Using a test light, locate the wire that is hot (12 volts)when the ignition switch is in the "run" position. 4. now, locate the wire that runs from the regulator position to the gen/alt position. 5. splice the wire located in number 3 above to the one located in number 4. 6. now you have a wire at the gen/alt location that is hot (12volts)with the key in the "run" position. 7. forget the other two wires at the regulator position. 8. Now remove the gen/alt and throw it as far as you can(probably can't throw it as far as you did the regulator!!) 9. Should be three wires going to the it. two small wires and one large wire. The large wire is connected to the battery and is hot (12 volts) all the time. (On some vehicles, it may connect to the battery via the horn relay) 10. Go to the parts house and purchase an alternator with an internal regulator and a new "pig tail" (the little thing that plugs onto the two terminals on the side and near the back of the alternator) they are numbered 1 & 2. the pig tail will have a small white wire and a large red wire. The new alternator will also have a large terminal(electrical connection) on the back. It will look like a screw sticking out with a nut on it. 11. Do what it takes to bolt the new alternator into the place of the gen/alt you removed and threw in step 8. 12. Once installed, plug the pig tail onto the terminals mentioned in step 10. attach the large wire from the battery (mentioned in step 9) and the red wire on the pig tail (mentioned in step 10) to the large terminal on the back of the alternator, tighten the nut. 13. Now attach the white wire on the pigtail to the wire identified in steps 4, 5, & 6. 14. Secure all left over wires. 15. Crank her up and you are good to go. Amp meter should work also. If you have a idot light, i'm not sure. Shorty

05-22-2008, 04:47 PM	#13
ChiefRocka Hollister, CA. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 6,150	Re: One wire alternators... That is a very good article, very informative. However, I too ran a PowerMaster 100 amp 'one-wire" on the Chief, and on my FORD powered, MSD ignited Jet-Boat (for years) with no problems. I am running an HEI and relay operated headlights on the truck....and they are bright as can be. Granted my boat just has the MSD to run...but its are 14.5 volts at all times. On the truck, I ran a hidden heavy guage wire from the alternator to the starter, and it charges like a champ. Besides that, I ran another heavy guage wire from the battery to my fuse panels. For you stereo guys, keep in mind when your amplification power supplys are ran to your battery, so a one-wire WILL work great in that application. I think a properly wired 'one-wire' system will work perfection. __________________ John What the Heck is that ?? CURRENT BUILDS: 62 BurbMaster Other Builds: My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW '06 HD StrAight Axle Swap Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965 www.ACCHOLLISTER.com ACC on FACEBOOK "Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!" Last edited by ChiefRocka; 05-22-2008 at 04:50 PM.

01-23-2010, 04:36 PM	#14
Malibudraft Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 2	Re: One wire alternators... How do I know what kind of alternator I have? I just bought a 1971 GMC w/ a 355 motor. The boy I bought it from rigged everything. When I was driving home, I had the lights and fan on and slowly the truck shut down. I'm assuming it is the alternator but don't know where to start.



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