Gentlemen,
The previous owner of my '49 Chevy 3600 3/4 ton pickup converted it from 6
volts to 12 volts, and used a GM Delco alternator with the built-in
regulator. The conversion works, but the wires he used are a rat's nest of
old and corroded wires and terminals, so I'm currently replacing all the
wiring with new wires and terminals. I'm following the wiring circuitry in
place,.
One thing strikes me as possibly not correct is the way the previous owner
wired the aternator. At least it doesn't agree with a wiring diagram shown in
my "How to Wire Your Street Rod" handook.
The alternator has the clip-in connector on top with #1 and #2 terminals and
wires, and the larger "Bat" threaded terminal at about 8 -o'clock on the back
of the alternator. The thick wire from the "Bat" terminal goes to the "+"side
of the ammeter gauge, which I believe is correct. The #1 wire from the
clip-in terminal on top goes to a multi-pronged GM diode with the "L"-shaped
arm; that is connected to the ballast resister where it is connected to the
same terminal (on the ballast resistor) as the hot wire that comes from the
ignition switch.
The wire from the #2 side of the clip-on connector onthe top of the
alternator is currently connected to the "Bat" threaded terminal on the back
of the alternator (the same terminal from which the thicker wire runs to the
"+"side of the ammeter gauge.
My "How to Wire" booklet for GM products shows the wire from the #2 terminal
of the alternator should be connected to the larger wire connecting the
threaded "Bat" terminal on the alternator to the ammeter at some undefined
point in the circuit closer to the ammeter. I wouldn't think it is correct to
connect the #2 terminal on the alternator directly to the "Bat" terminal on
the alternator with a three-inch of so length of wire as it is currently
hooked up, although the charging system has been working OK with that
connection. But if the wire from the #2 terminal is spliced into the wire
from the "Bat" terminal to the ammeter at some point away from the
alternator, does it make any difference?
I'd very much appreciate advice on thow and where the wire from the #2
terminal on the clip-on connector on the alternator should be connected.
Thank you in advance.
john doak in Baltimore, MD
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