<VV> one wire alternator

[BobHelt at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/31/2009 6:42:21 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,  
corvair at fnader.com writes:

http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/10si.htm



Bill, Jeff and everybody,
Please note that this reference has a significant oversight. It states  
that the #2 terminal is to excite the alternator. What the reference misses 
that  this #2 terminal is to sense the voltage at the Junction Block (in LMs). 
This  sense wire allows the alternator to maintain a constant voltage at the 
power  distribution point, thus assuring the correct voltage arrives at  
the headlights (as well as all the other electrical units). 
 
By not using this #2 terminal as designed, a lower voltage gets supplied to 
 the headlights.
Why do we concern ourselves with getting the correct voltage to the  
headlight? It's because even a slightly lower voltage there drastically reduces  
the light output. If the headlight voltage is only 95% of rated voltage, the  
light output drops to only 83% of rated output. 90% of rated voltage drops 
light  output to 67% of rated output.
 
So you see that even small voltage losses at the headlight have a  
significant effect on light output.
Regards,
Bob Helt