[FC] Re: <VV> one wire alternator thanks

[Merv and/or Loretta]

Hot rodders use single wire Alternators quite a bit. I installed one in my
53 GMC. Only one wire actually comes from it, but you need to patch a 2 or 3
inch wire between two terminals on the alternator. Just follow the
instructions. These are also called "self exciting" alternators, but you
need to rev the engine to about 1400 rpm before it starts functioning. The
battery gauge needle would jump up to charge and once "excited", it
continues to operate, even at low rpm. The only real benefit is you only
have one wire to deal with when it comes to neatifying the engine bay....
not a big advantage, but there is absolutely no disadvantage to the one wire
system that I know of....?
toodles
Merv Krull
62 GB "Ratfink" with new idler arm and inner tie rod end and ball joints and
on the road!
64 700 4door "Cortez"
Salmon Arm
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <BobHelt@aol.com>
To: <lonwall@corvairunderground.com>
Cc: <LonzoVair@aol.com>; <virtualvairs@skiblack.com>;
<corvanatics@corvair.org>
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2003 12:55 PM
Subject: [FC] Re: <VV> one wire alternator thanks


> In a message dated 8/22/03 10:32:02 AM US Mountain Standard Time,
> lonwall@corvairunderground.com writes:
>
> << So I don't misunderstand Bob - you mean you don't recommend ONLY a one
>  wire hookup. The "one wire" alternators that we all sell are actually
>  2-wire systems (the second being the idiot light sender you mention). Lon
>>
>
> One-wire alternators have ONLY one wire connecting them to the car's
> electrical system. That is why they are called one-wire alternators. That
means the
> the GEN light is inoperative. I think that it is a bad idea to not have
the GEN
> light operational. So I don't recommend the one-wie alternators. In
addition,
> the remote voltage sense circuit is also inoperable so that it is possible
the
> battery can be undercharged.
>
> Now if one were to retain the one-wire connection AND add the second wire
to
> connect the GEN light, they no longer have a one-wire alternator. It is
now a
> two-wire system. That is a good idea for sure, but if you go to the
trouble of
> hooking up the second wire, it just makes sense to also hook up the third
> wire and go all the way. It is a very easy addition!  Why stop at adding
only the
> second wire?  That third wire is as desirable as the second wire in my
> opinion. People just don't understand the function of the third wire.
>
> So now you have the standard three-wire system that I have always be
> recommending. Why not just buy a three-wire alternator (a 10SI or 12SI) in
the first
> place (they're cheaper anyhow!) and do the standard three wire hook up?
> Installing a one-wire alternator makes no sense in my opinion. Besides,
you will have
> to rev the engine to get it to charge, I'm told. That can be
disconserting.
>
> I sure hope that this clears up any questions on one-wire vs three wire
> systems.
> Regards to all,
> Bob Helt
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