Wiring for Alternator

[l8racer]

We're rebuilding a '65 SWB that is setup for a generator.
What do we need to do to run an alternator instead?
We don't have the cash to buy a "painless" setup so we have to pull the wire ourselves.
Thanks

[60-66 Nut]

Racer, 1962 should have been the last year for a generator, 1965 should have an alternator with the external regulator, but I guess someone could have put that on there, too. Anyway, the easiest way to go is with the 75' up GM alternator with the built-in regulator. Wiring is very simple, all you really need is a good heavy(10 or 12 gauge) wire running directly from the positive side of the battery to the post on the back of the alternator. Then, jump a wire from the #2 terminal on the side of the alternator to the post on the back. If you want you can also hook the negative side of the alt light to the #1 terminal. It's not necessary to hook up the light to make it charge, but sometimes you have to rev up the engine a little to kick in the regulator if the light is not hooked up. The bulb acts like a resistor and makes the regulator kick in as soon as the engine starts. The wire for the light should be in the harness plug to the old regulator. Most parts stores should have the 2 wire plug for the side of the alternator. They usually have a red and a white wire, the white being #1 terminal(for the light) and the red is #2(hot). I've hooked up many of them like this, and they work great. Hope that helps.

60-66 Nut

[Shorty Cox]

Here you go,

It is so easy. I did it to my '64, and i would think it would be just as easy on yours.

First remove the battery cables from the battery.

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.
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.
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.
10. Go to the parts house and purchase an alternator with 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

[qksilver]

Check the M.A.D. wiring site. They have a diagram and a better way to wire the alt up that bypasses the horn relay which means more voltage for what needs it.