one wire alt ?

[kevin from oc]

I purchased a chrome one wire alt and the instructions are simple. Run a wire from the alt to the batt that's it. My question is what about the dash gauge how do i hook it up and still get a reading? I took out the voltage regulator but the wires are still there. I looked in the faq section but the post's i found don't really deal with a one wire alt. Thank's Kevin

[Alex Hayley]

There is a good article at http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...hreewire.shtml that will answer that question. If I read correctly, the existing gauge measures current which cannot be measured with a one wire alternator. It is recommended that you switch to a voltage gauge.

[danho]

This should answer your questions.
http://207.44.196.117/vboard/showthread.php3?t=119379

[danho]

Also fyi, I did a search, but this is listed in the FAQ section along with a bunch of other must have info.
Dan.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Kevin,

The factory ammeter is set up as a separate system from the alternator. It reads the flow of current, (amps) in the large red wire that goes from the battery to the firewall. There are two fused locations on the red wired where the ammeter picks up its signal based upon resistance in the wire.(The two fuses in the little rubber footballs on either side of the radiator).

It does not matter what alternator you use, the ammeter will still read the flow of electricity.

Jim

[kevin from oc]

Thank's Jim that makes it real easy!!

[kevin from oc]

So I can just plug in the regular dash wiring and the gauge will work? no special hook up in the engine area? Thank's i am electricly challenged.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Your truck has to have the gauge package wiring harnesses, engine and dash.

I thought you already had a gauge package and wiring in your truck.

Are you asking about installing a meter where there was none before?

Jim

[BobbyK]

The orig amp gauge will take a amp reading from 2 points in the chargeing system.

The differance in those two readings gives you either a "charge" or "discharge" reading on the gauge.

One point is at the battery and the other is at a large solderd and crimped connection in the orig wire harness.

The problem with a 1 wire alt is you loose that area in the harness that the gauge uses to sample currant from.
The gauge will not work properly and will stay at the "neutral" or straight up postion on the gauge.It will not display a "charge" or "discharge"
condition.

That point in the harness is a power distribution point.That area in the harness has multiple connections that feed various circiuts in the truck.

The gauge will sample the power being drawn from that point and compare it to the draw at the battery.That difference will determine a "charge" or "discharge" condition on the gauge.

There's more to than that, but that is basically how that gauge works.And why the 1 wire alt won't give you the ability to retain the an amp gauge.

Now if you just want to monitor VOLTAGE,that CAN be done with a 3 wire or 1 wire alt.

[kevin from oc]

Jim..My dash had the gauge package.
Bobbyk...what if I hook the red wire that used to go to the old alt and hook it to the new one wire alt?
1.would that work as my charge wire? (and would the gage work?)
2.would i still have to run a seperate wire to the batt in addition to hooking up the old charge wire to the alt.?

I am just throwing out suggestions maybe there is not a way to do it but i really like the alt i already paid for and it's nice when all the gauges work properly.

[BobbyK]

How many amps is your new 1 wire alt?
Factory wiring is only designed for a 40-60 amp alt.

I had a 140amp 1 wire in my truck for a while but I ran a 2g cable to the battery(overkill I know).
I have since converted that 1 wire back to a orig. 3 wire alt and have rewired the charge circuit with 8g wire.

My amp gauge only ever read a neutral state(gauge straight up and down in the middle of the gauge) with the 1 wire.

To be honest I don't know what would happen with the gauge if you simply reused the orig. wireing with the 1 wire alt.