one wire or three wire alternator

[jberkeley]

i.m sure this has been talked about....which is better? one wire or three wire..i have a 350 with the three wire alternator.stock..i purchased a 105amp.. came with one wire....i know i can use it,but which is better?i know someone has an opinion...let me know..thanks..joe b

[swervin ervin]

Not really any difference except for the one wire having less wires. I prefer it over a three wire just to keep the mess down under the hood. It sure looks a lot better with the one wire going to the battery. I have a Powermaster 140 amp one wire.

[1972C10]

I prefer the cheapie three wire int regulator alternators , Im a big fan of lifetime warranty stuff.

I have heard that the one wire alternators Do not charge as well at idle and i belive this to be true I installed ONE One Wire alternator on a big block blazer and it didnt have any volts at idle but did charge well with a little rpm on it.

[DCRANER]

Originally Posted by 1972C10

I prefer the cheapie three wire int regulator alternators , Im a big fan of lifetime warranty stuff.

I have heard that the one wire alternators Do not charge as well at idle and i belive this to be true I installed ONE One Wire alternator on a big block blazer and it didnt have any volts at idle but did charge well with a little rpm on it.

The not charging notion is correct in theory, but is of little consequence.

The old 3 wire was for Battery, Field, and Sensing. Field / sensing was kind of a Pigtail to make the "Idiot Light" on the dash work, and the Sensing was to energize the regulator. I think I got that all right.

In any event, the single wire alternator, with a simple blip of the throttle, effectively makes the Internal Regulator energize and start charging. I think even the Fast Idle at startup is enough to "energize" the charging process. So, I think, meaning no disrespect, your overall system / engine function is not quite up to snuff

[swervin ervin]

If it didn't charge at idle it had something wrong with it.

[jberkeley]

i was having a problem with the bat. draining every couple of days.. thought the alt. was bad...turned out to be the power cable going to the cd changer.. i bought a new alt.. i still may try it.. thanks....