A.C. 20A blade connector on fuse panel???

[pheengurs]

hey Pimpston, thanks for the reply!

so A.C. 20A, would be exactly what it appears to be then...

I thought perhaps it had something to do with the alternator... In my factory wiring diagrams, it calls the alternator an 'AC GENERATOR' ... so I thought perhaps there was some kind of alternator circuit I've never heard of going on there, or that the PO had some -really- wacky stuff going on there... but that does not appear to be the case!

my truck in particular has never had AC... but yes, it makes sense, I've seen pics of my exact same fuse panel, on other models of mid 60's chevys, so it stands to reason they'd do that...

I'd still like to know why the PO wired the #3 terminal from the external VREG running directly into that A.C. 20A blade connector... Understanding wiring, does not come easily to me... and all the diagrams of 60's and early 70's chevs with external voltage regulators have the #3 terminal wired either at factory splice onto main power wire from batt, or the horn relay bus bar. So why did he go to all that trouble of running the wire through the firewall connector?

I guess it doesn't really matter where it gets its voltage from, as long as it gets voltage. #3 from VREG is apparently the 'voltage sensing' wire, that tells the alternator to supply more or less power...

so I guess we've solved this problem eh?



and yeah, now that the mystery of the A.C. 20A blade connector is solved, and (in my case) is simply acting as a voltage sensing port (for lack of a better term) -- I can proceed with my engine bay rewiring project, which will then move into the cab for a rewire...

thanks again!

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by pheengurs

hey Pimpston, thanks for the reply!

so A.C. 20A, would be exactly what it appears to be then...

I thought perhaps it had something to do with the alternator... In my factory wiring diagrams, it calls the alternator an 'AC GENERATOR' ... so I thought perhaps there was some kind of alternator circuit I've never heard of going on there, or that the PO had some -really- wacky stuff going on there... but that does not appear to be the case!

my truck in particular has never had AC... but yes, it makes sense, I've seen pics of my exact same fuse panel, on other models of mid 60's chevys, so it stands to reason they'd do that...

I'd still like to know why the PO wired the #3 terminal from the external VREG running directly into that A.C. 20A blade connector... Understanding wiring, does not come easily to me... and all the diagrams of 60's and early 70's chevs with external voltage regulators have the #3 terminal wired either at factory splice onto main power wire from batt, or the horn relay bus bar. So why did he go to all that trouble of running the wire through the firewall connector?

I guess it doesn't really matter where it gets its voltage from, as long as it gets voltage. #3 from VREG is apparently the 'voltage sensing' wire, that tells the alternator to supply more or less power...

so I guess we've solved this problem eh?



and yeah, now that the mystery of the A.C. 20A blade connector is solved, and (in my case) is simply acting as a voltage sensing port (for lack of a better term) -- I can proceed with my engine bay rewiring project, which will then move into the cab for a rewire...

thanks again!

maybe they used an internally regulated alt? and bypassed the voltage regulator, maybe... ive seen post that shows how to do the bypass, but not sure in your case... glad you cleaned that fire hazard, you would be there all day trying to chase a faulty wire, goodluck to ya.

[pheengurs]

it did look a whole lot better a few years ago. that was before I added a 12v accy plug, intermittent wipers, dual electric fans, electric fuel pump, and electric trailer brake controller...

each additional unit was one of those, 'ok I'll try this out and if I like it I'll make the wiring look nice later' ...

later never came. until now...

yes...it is a mess, but not an unsafe one. all wiring is labelled, fused, proper AWG size for its draw, properly grounded (via an in dash floating common ground), and (though it doesn't look like it b/c I removed their coverings) the hot wiring is protected as well... unsightly, but organized chaos

at least it might deter a theif for a few more seconds!

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by pheengurs

it did look a whole lot better a few years ago. that was before I added a 12v accy plug, intermittent wipers, dual electric fans, electric fuel pump, and electric trailer brake controller...

each additional unit was one of those, 'ok I'll try this out and if I like it I'll make the wiring look nice later' ...

later never came. until now...

yes...it is a mess, but not an unsafe one. all wiring is labelled, fused, proper AWG size for its draw, properly grounded (via an in dash floating common ground), and (though it doesn't look like it b/c I removed their coverings) the hot wiring is protected as well... unsightly, but organized chaos

at least it might deter a theif for a few more seconds!

i hear i may look ugly, but its yours and you know where everything is...