alternator conversion question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tom71 · 03-29-2006, 08:21 PM

has any body converted to a 1 wire internally regulated alternator how hard was it ? i saw the thread in the faq section about a 2 wire conversion and was just hoping for some input in the 1 wire situation (its what i have )
thanks tom

Burt4x4 · 03-30-2006, 03:31 PM

I don't recall doing anything other than installing the 1 wire alt then ran a #8 wire straight to the batt. The externally mounted regulator was just left there with the alt plug not connected.
This was a few years back so unless I have forgotten (possiable) then it is a straight bolt on deal...
Good luck
Burt

vtblazer · 03-30-2006, 06:08 PM

There's a great thread about it in the FAQ section.

It's really easy to do!

72armyswbtruck · 03-30-2006, 06:12 PM

post the link to the FAQ thread for me please
Thanks

vtblazer · 03-30-2006, 07:45 PM

I searched and it's gone...

Went back through 25 pages of past subscriptions.

Sorry, it was a great thread with very good/easy directions.

tom71 · 03-30-2006, 09:31 PM

d*mn !

rmurray25 · 03-30-2006, 10:31 PM

The one wire conversion will be an easy upgrade. Just like was mentioned before you simply unplug the connection going to the external voltage regulator. There is a wire that is in that connector that goes directly to the + Battery terminal. I believe it is a red 10 gauge wire. If you have a multi- meter you can test continuity which is how I found mine. Once you have located that wire connect the one wire from your alternator to that wire. Oh and your ground of course.

That's all there is too it.

This has probably been covered before but incase it hasn't, to convert an externally regulated chev to a two wire internally regulated (GMSI) alternator The red wire hooks up to the batt wire as mentioned above. The white wire is designed to connect to an idiot light in the dash. If your truck has this locate that wire and connect it to that. If not and you don't want to put a idiot light in the dash or engine compartment then you can simply wire in a 10ohm 10 watt resistor (readily available at Radio Shack) and connect that wire to a power source that has 12 volts when the key is in the run position. I won't go too deep into this but it works like this. there is a voltage source on the idiot light from the ignition that runs through terminal 2 (the white wire) on the alternator and grounds internally in the alternator. This causes the idiot light to glow. Once the engine is running and the alternator is producing voltage (when it is working correctly) voltage is produced back through terminal 2 and takes away the ground source for the idiot light. This way when the alernator fails the light lights and alerts the driver. the 10ohm resistor is a little higher resistance and wattage than a 194 dash bulb but will do the job nicely. Hope this helps someone. I did not figure this out until taking an electrical automotive course.

tom71 · 03-30-2006, 10:53 PM

will the gages work ? and thanks for the info i think i read your thread on the 2 wire conversion

rmurray25 · 03-31-2006, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom71

will the gages work ?

yes Mine work fine.

71jimmy · 03-31-2006, 02:59 AM

Here's a link to some good info:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...hreewire.shtml

tom71 · 03-31-2006, 11:21 AM

thanks for the info

03-29-2006, 08:21 PM	#1
tom71 what happened to flint mi Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 436	alternator conversion question has any body converted to a 1 wire internally regulated alternator how hard was it ? i saw the thread in the faq section about a 2 wire conversion and was just hoping for some input in the 1 wire situation (its what i have ) thanks tom __________________ 71 swb 2wd fleet frame off in progress 72 4x4 blazer daily driver 70 olds cutlass s mint condition owned by a grandma 56 gmc 2wd project waitng 97 fiance mobile

03-30-2006, 03:31 PM	#2
Burt4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,842	Re: alternator conversion question I don't recall doing anything other than installing the 1 wire alt then ran a #8 wire straight to the batt. The externally mounted regulator was just left there with the alt plug not connected. This was a few years back so unless I have forgotten (possiable) then it is a straight bolt on deal... Good luck Burt __________________ 1972 K5 MPFI454/Sm465/Np205/D60/14FFd/Re-Centerd H1s w/Swamper Iroks

03-30-2006, 06:08 PM	#3
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Re: alternator conversion question There's a great thread about it in the FAQ section. It's really easy to do!

03-30-2006, 06:12 PM	#4
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,033	Re: alternator conversion question post the link to the FAQ thread for me please Thanks __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

03-30-2006, 07:45 PM	#5
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Re: alternator conversion question I searched and it's gone... Went back through 25 pages of past subscriptions. Sorry, it was a great thread with very good/easy directions.

03-30-2006, 09:31 PM	#6
tom71 what happened to flint mi Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 436	Re: alternator conversion question d*mn ! __________________ 71 swb 2wd fleet frame off in progress 72 4x4 blazer daily driver 70 olds cutlass s mint condition owned by a grandma 56 gmc 2wd project waitng 97 fiance mobile

03-30-2006, 10:31 PM	#7
rmurray25 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 39	Re: alternator conversion question The one wire conversion will be an easy upgrade. Just like was mentioned before you simply unplug the connection going to the external voltage regulator. There is a wire that is in that connector that goes directly to the + Battery terminal. I believe it is a red 10 gauge wire. If you have a multi- meter you can test continuity which is how I found mine. Once you have located that wire connect the one wire from your alternator to that wire. Oh and your ground of course. That's all there is too it. This has probably been covered before but incase it hasn't, to convert an externally regulated chev to a two wire internally regulated (GMSI) alternator The red wire hooks up to the batt wire as mentioned above. The white wire is designed to connect to an idiot light in the dash. If your truck has this locate that wire and connect it to that. If not and you don't want to put a idiot light in the dash or engine compartment then you can simply wire in a 10ohm 10 watt resistor (readily available at Radio Shack) and connect that wire to a power source that has 12 volts when the key is in the run position. I won't go too deep into this but it works like this. there is a voltage source on the idiot light from the ignition that runs through terminal 2 (the white wire) on the alternator and grounds internally in the alternator. This causes the idiot light to glow. Once the engine is running and the alternator is producing voltage (when it is working correctly) voltage is produced back through terminal 2 and takes away the ground source for the idiot light. This way when the alernator fails the light lights and alerts the driver. the 10ohm resistor is a little higher resistance and wattage than a 194 dash bulb but will do the job nicely. Hope this helps someone. I did not figure this out until taking an electrical automotive course. __________________ 69 Chev K10, 350 4 bolt main, 202 "double humper" heads, healthy cam. edlebrock 600 cfm and preformer intake 3.73 ratio with posi rear. Check her out http://www.angelfire.com/ak6/1969k10/my_baby Last edited by rmurray25; 03-31-2006 at 01:55 AM.

03-30-2006, 10:53 PM	#8
tom71 what happened to flint mi Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 436	Re: alternator conversion question will the gages work ? and thanks for the info i think i read your thread on the 2 wire conversion __________________ 71 swb 2wd fleet frame off in progress 72 4x4 blazer daily driver 70 olds cutlass s mint condition owned by a grandma 56 gmc 2wd project waitng 97 fiance mobile Last edited by tom71; 03-30-2006 at 10:55 PM.

03-31-2006, 02:59 AM	#10
71jimmy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,083	Re: alternator conversion question Here's a link to some good info: http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...hreewire.shtml __________________ '71 Jimmy, 350, SM465, NP205, 2in Tuff Country lift, 33s on rallies, TBI, softtop and hardtop "If life was fair you'd be able to afford one of each and a garage large enough to house them all."

03-31-2006, 11:21 AM	#11
tom71 what happened to flint mi Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 436	Re: alternator conversion question thanks for the info __________________ 71 swb 2wd fleet frame off in progress 72 4x4 blazer daily driver 70 olds cutlass s mint condition owned by a grandma 56 gmc 2wd project waitng 97 fiance mobile



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