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Old 08-18-2004, 04:18 PM   #1
jberkeley
86 chevy k-10
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: nashua, nh
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Question one wire or three wire alternator

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
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Old 08-18-2004, 09:02 PM   #2
swervin ervin
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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.
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Old 08-18-2004, 10:00 PM   #3
1972C10
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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.
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Old 08-18-2004, 10:15 PM   #4
swervin ervin
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If it didn't charge at idle it had something wrong with it.
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Old 08-19-2004, 06:24 AM   #5
jberkeley
86 chevy k-10
 
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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....
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Old 08-19-2004, 12:27 PM   #6
DCRANER
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Quote:
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
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