Hot Rods Alternator light?

I'm a Ford guy and when you turn on the key, the ALT light goes red, then as soon as the car starts, it turns off. It also lights when the car is not charging. I would like to utilize and light so I know if the ignition switch is on.

I bought a GM based wiring harness kit and nothing addresses this. Was this done by some component in line of the light that sensed more than 12V that an alternator puts out? Or was this a function of the voltage regulator that the light was connected to? Is there any way to replicate this?

Otherwise I can just have the light on constantly while it's running, but I don't really want that.

 

an oil pressure idiot light will do the same thing

The answer to your question about how the light works, kind of depends on what you have for an alternator...but in general, it's a terminal on the voltage regulator that makes the light go on. Give us more specifics about your charging system, we can help you figure it out.

 

It's a Ford later model 1 wire alternator.

 

An oil pressure idiot light would probably be easier...and they're quite useful, too, if you use a 20 psi sender (so you can catch the oil pressure drop before anything serious happens)

 

Hmmm. What a great idea!!! Thanks so much. Now I need to see how I can have (2) oil senders. I don't think there is room for a T and there is only (1) external port on the motor.

 

you can use a pipe nipple and coupling to extend the senders... or if it's a mechanical gauge, you can tee it off at the gauge end, not at the engine.