1 wire alternator question

[wannabelowrider]

in simple terms ...that thin wire on the plug is the trigger wire for the alternator (its what turns the alternator on and off on a 3 wire setup)

So what's the one wire on a 1 wire setup? Is it a wire going to the battery? And what's the sole purpose of a 1 wire alt?

 

[nycutlass]

On a one wire setup ... There is just a wire going to the battery . Be sure to run the right gauge wire for your amps

 

[Ribbedroof]

Really should be required reading

http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical ... wire.shtml

No real benefit to a one-wire setup, other than appearance. Sheath the wires (even the "one wire" should be covered), no real difference. Think about it, if a one-wire setup was really better, wouldn't the automakers have jumped on it a long time ago?

 

[Ribbedroof]

in simple terms ...that thin wire on the plug is the trigger wire for the alternator (its what turns the alternator on and off on a 3 wire setup)

So what's the one wire on a 1 wire setup? Is it a wire going to the battery? And what's the sole purpose of a 1 wire alt?

To charge the battery.

 

[nycutlass]

:shock:

 

[wannabelowrider]

in simple terms ...that thin wire on the plug is the trigger wire for the alternator (its what turns the alternator on and off on a 3 wire setup)

So what's the one wire on a 1 wire setup? Is it a wire going to the battery? And what's the sole purpose of a 1 wire alt?

To charge the battery.

Well thats what we want right? Am I missing something else?

 

[67rstbkt]

Well thats what we want right? Am I missing something else?

I don't know? Did you read the link Ribbedroof posted on page one? Lots of good info in there about the one wire vs. 3 wire alternator.

Yes, a one wire alternator will charge your battery. Yes, the one wire goes from the alternator to the battery.
Drawbacks are that the alternator does not have a perfect method to "turn on" and start generating the power needed to charge the battery. The one wire works by sensing rpm, which may mean that you will have to rev up your engine to get it going. Read the link, it should help you understand the difference better.

 

[nycutlass]

page one has all the info you need ..from the info i gave you and what the link has

 

[drogg1]

Really should be required reading

http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical ... wire.shtml

X2 on the required reading. But maybe I just love me a good tech article. Especially when it comes to anything electrical.

I also agree with the others that if you read that article you will have no more questions as it clearly lays out the differences between a one wire and three wire setup.

 

[Ribbedroof]

Well thats what we want right? Am I missing something else?

You really should read the full article, it's all explained in there.

By using a 1 wire setup, it charges at max all the time (not good for most batteries), and does not compensate for additional load on the electrical system (requiring everything to be powered through the battery

In essence, all it does is charge the battery...great for lawn tractors...not so good for street cars.