One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**D.PASSMORE** · 03-04-2006, 01:02 PM

Not sure if these modifications have been explained in detail but, I'm thinking of converting my GM original charging system over to one a wire Alternator system ( I think she needs more power Scotty

). This would remove the Voltage Regulater from the system(rad support monted) and then I would have to modify the wiring harness. Has anyone ever done this without mutalating everything? Could someone explain the process...
Second, I want to convert my head lights to the relay operated type system. Is there a Kit out their to use or is it just scrounge the necessary parts and make it happen...
I have all the wiring schematics to reference and pretty knowledgable in the electrical area but, in most cases somebody has usually already figured it out.

Thanks Dave

76bonanza · 03-04-2006, 01:36 PM

Hey whats up Dave I know lmc and summit have the kit for the headlight relay deal have not done mine yet but will soon.

Longhorn Man · 03-04-2006, 04:35 PM

If you are doing a real one wire, there is no cutting involved. Just tape up all the stock wires, and run one large wire directly to the battery. I wouldn't go that way though, I'd get a later internally regulated GM 3 wire unit.

Droppedhatch · 03-04-2006, 08:23 PM

I agree with longhorn man. The reason the one wire alt works is that it always charges the battery at the same rate, never changing. So if you plan to use anything that put a big draw on your electric system ( amps, winch) it's not a good choice.

Shawn

**VetteVet** · 03-04-2006, 08:34 PM

go to this website and read about electronics
http://http://www.madelectrical.com/...cal-tech.shtml
Go to this website and read about the alternator conversion ( not one wire ).

http://www.chevelles.com/techref/tecref14.html
Now go to the FAQ submisssions on the boards and find the headlight relay conversion. Tx firefighter has a good one for the relays. Every thing you're asking has been done so you got lots of help.

krue · 03-04-2006, 08:35 PM

Here's a link to my FAQ Index thread, there should be links to articles that discuss all this and more.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669

red71cheyenne · 03-04-2006, 10:55 PM

Installing the one wire is simple. Its after that is a PITA. You have to rev up the engine to get it to charge. If it sits too long you have to flash the field to get it to charge. Get a CS144 and forget it!!! Same mounting, 140 amps, internally regulated. Any starter or alternator rebuild place sells them for about $120. Best alternator I've ever had! I'm looking at headlight relay thing too, so thanks for the links!! Jeff.

**D.PASSMORE** · 03-05-2006, 12:55 PM

Man! I'm informed... Thanks for all the info, I will not have any problems getting this accomplished. The one wire is not going to happen. I have a winch and I'm fix'n to put a stereo amplifier in my truck. So I will do both conversions at the same time. Krue, thanks for the links and all your time you dedicate to helping making this site the #1 place to hang out.

Now its time to start collecting the goodies...
Dave

RainFade · 03-05-2006, 01:05 PM

OR if you think you might ever like to go serpentine do it now and use a CS alternator.

Tx Firefighter · 03-05-2006, 02:18 PM

Definitely do the headlight relay mod. It's an incredible difference in light output.

krue · 03-06-2006, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.PASSMORE

Man! I'm informed... Thanks for all the info, I will not have any problems getting this accomplished. The one wire is not going to happen. I have a winch and I'm fix'n to put a stereo amplifier in my truck. So I will do both conversions at the same time. Krue, thanks for the links and all your time you dedicate to helping making this site the #1 place to hang out.

Now its time to start collecting the goodies...
Dave

No problem, it's the least I could do to give back to the board in return for all the knowledge I've found here.

krue · 03-06-2006, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainFade

OR if you think you might ever like to go serpentine do it now and use a CS alternator.

Which alternator do I need to get? I'm putting the serpentine brackets off of a 90-91 truck and want to get the most amps for the money.

03-04-2006, 01:36 PM	#2
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Re: One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion Hey whats up Dave I know lmc and summit have the kit for the headlight relay deal have not done mine yet but will soon. __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

03-04-2006, 04:35 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion If you are doing a real one wire, there is no cutting involved. Just tape up all the stock wires, and run one large wire directly to the battery. I wouldn't go that way though, I'd get a later internally regulated GM 3 wire unit.

03-04-2006, 08:23 PM	#4
Droppedhatch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Benton City, WA Posts: 3	Re: One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion I agree with longhorn man. The reason the one wire alt works is that it always charges the battery at the same rate, never changing. So if you plan to use anything that put a big draw on your electric system ( amps, winch) it's not a good choice. Shawn Last edited by Droppedhatch; 03-04-2006 at 08:23 PM.

03-04-2006, 08:34 PM	#5
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,719	Re: One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion go to this website and read about electronics http://http://www.madelectrical.com/...cal-tech.shtml Go to this website and read about the alternator conversion ( not one wire ). http://www.chevelles.com/techref/tecref14.html Now go to the FAQ submisssions on the boards and find the headlight relay conversion. Tx firefighter has a good one for the relays. Every thing you're asking has been done so you got lots of help. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

03-04-2006, 08:35 PM	#6
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion Here's a link to my FAQ Index thread, there should be links to articles that discuss all this and more. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669 __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-04-2006, 01:02 PM	#1
D.PASSMORE One of the First Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: St. Augustine,FL. Posts: 4,060	One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion Not sure if these modifications have been explained in detail but, I'm thinking of converting my GM original charging system over to one a wire Alternator system ( I think she needs more power Scotty ). This would remove the Voltage Regulater from the system(rad support monted) and then I would have to modify the wiring harness. Has anyone ever done this without mutalating everything? Could someone explain the process... Second, I want to convert my head lights to the relay operated type system. Is there a Kit out their to use or is it just scrounge the necessary parts and make it happen... I have all the wiring schematics to reference and pretty knowledgable in the electrical area but, in most cases somebody has usually already figured it out. Thanks Dave __________________ DAVID PASSMORE ST AUGUSTINE ,FL ZIP 32084 '71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili) '72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule) '72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie)

03-04-2006, 10:55 PM	#7
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion Installing the one wire is simple. Its after that is a PITA. You have to rev up the engine to get it to charge. If it sits too long you have to flash the field to get it to charge. Get a CS144 and forget it!!! Same mounting, 140 amps, internally regulated. Any starter or alternator rebuild place sells them for about $120. Best alternator I've ever had! I'm looking at headlight relay thing too, so thanks for the links!! Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

03-05-2006, 12:55 PM	#8
D.PASSMORE One of the First Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: St. Augustine,FL. Posts: 4,060	Re: One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion Man! I'm informed... Thanks for all the info, I will not have any problems getting this accomplished. The one wire is not going to happen. I have a winch and I'm fix'n to put a stereo amplifier in my truck. So I will do both conversions at the same time. Krue, thanks for the links and all your time you dedicate to helping making this site the #1 place to hang out. Now its time to start collecting the goodies... Dave __________________ DAVID PASSMORE ST AUGUSTINE ,FL ZIP 32084 '71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili) '72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule) '72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie)

03-05-2006, 01:05 PM	#9
RainFade Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 215	Re: One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion OR if you think you might ever like to go serpentine do it now and use a CS alternator. __________________ 71 K20 350/350/205, dealer air, 4" lift, Flowtech,Edel 1406 on 2101, procomp HEI,4.10's, 33x12.50x16.5 BFG MT's on slots. 4 wheel disc brakes. My lame K20 page My lame Eaton disc brake page

03-05-2006, 02:18 PM	#10
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: One wire ALT and Headlight Relay Conversion Definitely do the headlight relay mod. It's an incredible difference in light output. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin



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