Technical Alternator install help/tips & suggestions/

I always refer back to these guys for any alternator wiring questions. Read through it and it should tell you all you need to know to get it working correctly

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml

 

Thanks, I'll have a look and check it out.

 

The basic info is good but out-of-date...the new one-wire alternators use a new and improved regulator that allows the alternator to charge as soon as it is turning with zero reeving of the engine to kick it in and by using a simple Bosch relay you can also operate a dash-light.


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Oh, k. That sounds cool. Thanks

 

I have been trying to go by that guide to do the wiring, however I still get no charge to or from battery.
I am thinking matbe a new battery is on store and then try again.

Wishing I had someone near Me that knew the wiring schematics and could help. Ugh

Anyway, I'm not a quitter so I will keep doing whatever I need to until I get it right.

I will keep you all updated as to how it's going.

Also, any helpful input is much appreciated!

 

Do you have a multimeter? If yes...check the voltage in the battery...should read 12.6v. If not...charge the battery...if yes...check the voltage reading at the Bat. Stud on the alternator...it should read the same voltage as the battery within a tenth of a volt. Then report back.


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Hey folks, I think I nailed it with the alternator, seems to charge and start now each time I go out every couple days just to hear her run.
Only thing now is My gen gauge needle still not showing charge/discharge or any movement.

When I'm able to I'm going to pull the seat out so I have room to look under the dash and trace out My gauge's wire to see where it is and hopefully get it working.

The alternator has a 2 post plug on top with a red wire and a white wire.

It also has a 1 and a 2 on either post of the 2 wire plug.

However, I found out (trial run) the WHITE wire is what goes to the rear post (with the red indicator ) rear of the alternator and NOT the red wire.

That threw Me at first.

So am I safe to assume the RED wire is what connects to My gauge wire to make it work??

Please let Me know if anyone has dealt with this or any ideas.

Thank you all in advance.

Soon to upload new pics.
Have a blessed day everyone

 

is the white wire connected to terminal 1 or terminal 2?

The other wire does not work with a guage, only a light....but we don't know what your gauge is, or how it's wired, so until you do that investigating, we can only guess as to why it doesn't work properly.

 

#2 is 12v in RED and some have hook it to the 12v lug on the back of the alt. #1 is WHITE and goes to the diode or light.



On my '56 Chevy I installed a light under the dash as a charging indicator.

 

White wire is on terminal 2 red wire is terminal 1.
White wire is going to post on back side of alternator.
Red wire is what I am thinking goes to gauge??

 

the color of the wires doesn't matter, and it's possible to have them in the connector wrong, or something. The number 1 or 2 is what is important.

Let us know what you find with the gauge wiring, maybe we can help you figure it out.

also, is it an AMP gauge, or a VOLT gauge?

 

thought he said amp gauge. needs to switch to volt gauge

 

It says from Left to right on the gauge its self as follows.

D. AMPS. C.

And it has a needle that should move either to D or C when the truck is running.
I would think anyway.

 

more pics may help may not. show a picture of gauge please.

 

Sorry it's a bit dark.. It's night time

 

thank you. it should only move when theres a draw. like the headlights on. should show little discharge then back to center.

 

It's an ammeter. Knowing how it's wired into the car will help us help you figure out if you can make it work, etc.

There is no way to make that gauge work by connecting the idiot light wire from the alternator, to it.

 

Yeah, that I know. However, I do not notice any draw or movement at all when I start the truck, or pull light switch or turn signals heater etc.

I should see SOMETHING I am sure.
Thanks

 

Or maybe not. Just read squirrels post. Ugh.

OK, so what do you need to know?

How the alternator is wired into the truck??

Easy, I wired terminal 2 to the battery connect on back plate of alternator, and the battery connect to the positive terminal on the battery.

The red wire, or terminal 1 is not connected to anything as yet.


???

Or do you mean how is the gauge installed and hooked up?

The gauge is installed and wired as to factory specs OEM install.

 

maybe this

 

hopefully getting closer.

 

Yeah, but I don't want an idiot light, I want the OEM gauge to work.

There has to be some easy way to fix this issue without an idiot light.

??

 

this last diagram is correct for his Hudson...if the gauge shows backwards just reverse the wires to the Amp-meter...


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you can leave out the idiot light just use diode. or just put it under dash or hood. lets you know its working.

 

I only want to know its working by seeing My needle gauge move as it is supposed to. Like when I turn the engine off, it should go to D, if I'm not mistaken.
And then when I start it, the needle should be leaning towards C as the truck is running.

 

I just looked over that diagram, I will try and see what I can do as far as following that. Hopefully I can get somewhere with this.

Thanks a lot everybody. I will keep you all posted and let you know how it goes.

 

An ammeter is a current flow meter (think water) the main battery wire from the alternator has to be hooked up to one side of the ammeter and then continue on to make connection to the POS. post on the battery and then it will show a charge and defect to D for discharge when starting or when the lights are on before the engine starts...an alternator keeps up the charge so you may not see much of a discharge unless the engine is off and you turn on the lights...


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When you turn the ignition key to "OFF", the Ammeter needle should go to Zero. If you then turn on the headlights, it should go toward D (Discharge).

 

OK. Gotcha.

I will try to hook it up and get back to ya's. Thanks

 

yes, how is the gauge hooked up? If it's factory specs OEM install, it would help to know what it is you're working on. you probably told me somewhere in another thread, but I forgot, there are too many folks asking questions about stuff like this for me to be able to keep track of all of them with my memory the way it is