Posted by chriscase on Monday, July 03, 2006 at 10:15AM :
In Reply to: Re: convert to a true one wire posted by mannyc on Sunday, July 02, 2006 at 9:53PM :
The three wires go to: ammeter (large out put wire) red wire (sensing wire) white wire (energizing wire).
The red senser wire goes close to the battery cable. (starter?) It will sense actual battery voltage, and make up for loses in the wiring as it ages- 14 volts at the battery, NOT just 14 volts at the alternator.
The white wire goes to an idiot light. Not just to turn on the light, but the light bulb acts as a resistor to send low volts to the 'field' of the alternator. Without it,the alt may take a minute or so to get pumping after start up.
I'll be using 3 wires, but I'm also making my own wire harness.
You can convert a 3-wire alternator (junk yard? $15?)to a oner, without opening the case. Bring wire cutters to the boneyard,you'll need the 2-wire plug with 6 inchs of wire, and a diode, 50 cents at Radio Shack. Solder the diode into the white wire, and run the red and white wires to the output lug with the usual big wire to the rest of the system. If it don't start output immediately, turn the diode around.
In my patch-up to check the alt, I used a light bulb in the white wire, hooked to the output. I guess a resistor there would work too, and not have that homey glow under my hood.