ONE WIRE ALTERNATOR

[71cudda]

CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THE ONE WIRE ALTERNATOR CONNECTION TO ME. DOES THIS BYPASS REGULATOR AND HOW DO YOU CONVERT WIRING. IF I NEED A NEW ALTERNATOR, IS THIS A GOOD WAY TO GO    ALSO CAN YOU PUT TOO BIG OF AN ALTERNATOR IN     THANKS

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Here is a write-up on 1-wire alternators, these guys don't speak too highly about them.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml

Absolutely you can put 'too big' of an alternator in. The factory alternator can even push the limits of the old 10gauge wiring. I have 6gauge wiring from my 90amp alternator. 'Too big' is figured from your wiring out of the alternator to the battery.

[71cudda]

thanks for the link that explains alot  do you think a 75 amp alt would be a problem

[GoodysGotaCuda]

The maximum rating for the factory 10gauge wiring is 55amps. That is a fairly long circuit so you can probably lower that by a few amps, also adding how old the connections and wire itself are, even lower. I would suggest that more than stock output could cause an issue. I would say your best bet would be to have 8ga straight to the starter relay or battery +.

[71cudda]

what did you run the 6 gauge in place of  from where to where

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I ran 6gauge wire due to i have a 90amp alternator and the 6 gauge is thicker than 8 or 10, therefore it'll hold more current.

My battery is in the trunk, i run 6ga from the alternator output stud, to a 100amp circuit breaker, to the battery positive terminal.

[71cudda]

would i just clip the one with the nut off and run 6 gauge from ther to the battery with a circuit breaker and all other connections would stay the same

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I would go this route here. Changing the alternator output wire then makes your factory ammeter useless. Given charging voltage is something you definately want to keep an eye on, installing a volt gauge is how you would then monitor that.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

Your factory setup is like this


you would be modifying it to this, however using a larger alternator output wire

[Chryco Psycho]

The maximum rating for the factory 10gauge wiring is 55amps. That is a fairly long circuit so you can probably lower that by a few amps, also adding how old the connections and wire itself are, even lower. I would suggest that more than stock output could cause an issue. I would say your best bet would be to have 8ga straight to the starter relay or battery +.

  run a wire to the starter relay

[blown74]

Am I missing something on Diagram B? Is a 14 guage fusible link suffiecient to handle all the current from the alternator? 14 gauge 12 volts I'm figuring 20 -25 amps max?? Going larger is usually better. One advantage less loss. Disadvantage more cost.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Am I missing something on Diagram B? Is a 14 guage fusible link suffiecient to handle all the current from the alternator? 14 gauge 12 volts I'm figuring 20 -25 amps max?? Going larger is usually better. One advantage less loss. Disadvantage more cost.

Actually its in the 30-40amp range off the top of my head, again that diagram is for a factory system. Which in most cases doesn't draw that many amps so it should work out just fine. Aftermarket headlights, ignition, stereo, fuel pump, electric fan, etc starts to add up quick. Which is why i have a 100amp circuit breaker in my charging circuit and 6ga wire.

[hotrodded1970]

Goodie how did you figure how big of a circuit breaker you needed, i have a 100 amp alt im gonna put in but not sure how high a breaker i should place in line. Any info?

[mopar12372]

the only avantage to using a 1 wire alternater is the wireing. why would you convert a purfectly good 4 wire denzo alternarter to a 1 wire(the wireing isnt that hard)? only to have your battery over charged most of the time.

[nivvy]

  run a wire to the starter relay

not if your batteries in the trunk and wanna pass tech 

[Aussie Challenger]

the only avantage to using a 1 wire alternater is the wireing. why would you convert a purfectly good 4 wire denzo alternarter to a 1 wire(the wireing isnt that hard)? only to have your battery over charged most of the time.

  A one wire system has the regulator built into the alternator, removing the regulator would fry the battery and electrics very quickly.   
  A 12v alternator can put out 30 volts very easily if un regulated, aske me how I know?